Chapter Six

Garnet stared into the large ruby that was part of the Great Gem. Ruby’s essence had returned to the hidden realm and, as it settled into the ruby, the swirling gradually ceased. She knew she should feel glad for that meant Ruby was now truly at peace, unlike Girasol, whose essence still spun in turmoil in her crystal. But her grief was too large, smothering any attempt at comfort. Realising there was someone beside her, she glanced around as Diamond placed her hand on her shoulder.

“I should have gone with her. I should not have assumed it was so easy a task.”

“Then we are all to blame, Garnet.” Diamond sat beside her. “How could we have guessed that Marlis had found a way to cross to the mortal realm? I doubt even Girasol knew that.”

“How did she best my sister?” Garnet’s tone was controlled, but her muscles quivered and sweat prickled her skin. “I thought the way of the Great Gem was stronger. I do not understand.”

Diamond lowered her gaze to where she held Garnet’s hand in both of hers. “Ruby was weak–”

“What are you–?”

“Listen.” Diamond tightened her grip as Garnet tried to snatch her hand away. “Ruby was weakened because she fought Marlis after she’d performed the concealing spell. And she did not have her pendant.”

Blinking rapidly, Garnet’s mind raced but could find no answer. “She. Did not have her pendant? But-but we always have our pendants. Always.”

“When Emerald and Peridot finally found the young lord, they saw it on him.”

Struggling to draw breath, Garnet turned back to the ruby in the Great Gem. “Why?” she whispered.

“I fear we will never know, my dear Garnet. But try and take some comfort in knowing our sister fulfilled her task. The young lord is safe in the care of the family we chose for him. And she has hidden him well. It took our sisters some time before they sensed elf essence and found him.”

Drawing a deep, shaky breath, she forced herself to nod. She knew Diamond meant well, and she did take some comfort in knowing the little elf lord was safe. But Ruby had been more than her sister gem elf, she had been Lenya, her little sister. Garnet, still as Armina, had witnessed her birth. They had grown up together, played together; she had been her sister’s chief protector. She did not expect the other gem elves to understand, and that was no one’s fault.

It was rare for sisters to hear and heed the Great Gem’s calling. And rarer still for the calling to be for twin gems. Ironically, Lenya had been drawn to the ruby, the stronger of the two, and Armina to the garnet.

She realised Diamond was still talking and forced her attention back to her.

“… where she has hidden herself. If she returns to our realm, we will know, but it appears that she is choosing to stay in the mortal realm. However, we do know that she is nowhere near Avlar or the unborn baby. We will continue our search for Marlis while ensuring that Lord Forel’s children remain safe in their new lives.” Resting her hand on Garnet’s lap, she said, “Re-join us when you feel able enough.”

Garnet nodded. “I am grateful for this time.”

“She was your sister long before we came to call her ‘sister’.”

Blinking back tears, Garnet covered her mouth.

Embracing her, Diamond said, “We cannot know your pain, sister, but know you are not alone.”

Unable to stop her tears, Garnet buried her face against Diamond’s shoulder and wept. It was long moments before she finally sat back and wiped her tear-streaked face.

As she got to her feet, Diamond kissed Garnet on the forehead then looked up at the Great Gem.

Much taller, at least twice their height, it was an irregular shape. The largest gems that adorned it were the eight principal ones, which were surrounded by the smaller sized sacred gems. Scattered around those were the less powerful crystals.

“So few now seem to hear the call,” said Diamond. “It is not as it was before. I wonder if the Gem will search for another to wear the ruby.” Sighing heavily, she walked away, head bowed.

Drawing her brows together, Garnet stared at the Gem. “I hope you do not call for another ruby, I could not bear it. I would rather be the incomplete set than have to call another, Ruby.”