Lavenderwing Chapter 11

After the confrontation with the giant bat, the owls went back to the place where Violet saw a bloody, feathered body.

Her sister.

“Aurora…” Violet reached out. Her body was still partially covered by shadow. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you…”

The forest stayed silent. Violet looked at her sister.

It wasn’t fair. She’d gotten to know so little about her…

“Th- that’s okay…” the pile of feathers on the ground twitched.

“Aurora! You’re alive?”

She smiled slightly. “Violet…” Her voice was weak. “I’m sure you would have made a great queen… It’s too bad I won’t live to see that…”

“Oh, Aurora. Come on, it’s not too late…”

“I’m not sure if I’ll make it.”

“Of course you will! You’re my sister...” Tears welled up in her eyes. “You have to.”

“Violet…” her voice was low. “I’m fading... C-could you promise me something?”

She listened intently.

“Promise me that… that no matter what, you’ll never be afraid to do the right thing...”

“I promise.” A spark of hope and sincerity was in her eyes.

Aurora looked at her, smiling. She’d finally seen what she’d wanted to. Now she could rest in peace.

Her eyes slowly shut, and she breathed her last breath.

…

“I can’t believe it…” Violet muttered. “Everyone I love is dead…”

She hovered over the forest in the night.

“But Violet,” her friend spoke softly. “I’m still alive…”

“Yes,” she said. “You are.” She closed her eyes, a realization dawning on her.

They landed by the riverside.

Violet took his wings in her own. “I do love you,” she said. “So very much… But I don’t want to endanger your life.”

“Violet, I’m willing to take that risk.” His heart beat rapidly when she said she loved him.

“Even if that giant bat is dead, this is still a very dangerous position for me…”

“I know that. Violet, to me, spending an evening with you would be better than spending the rest of my life with anyone else.”

“You… really mean that?”

He nodded.

She sighed. He was right. She’d like to stop being so lonely. Even if it was risky, she would rather spend whatever life she had left to live with someone she loved than to spend it alone.

“You know what? You’re right. I’d like to spend my life with you too. I’m sick of being lonely. I love you, and that’s the truth.”

“Violet, I love you too. Are you certain about your decision? The last thing I’d want to do is force you to do anything…”

“I’m certain.” She came closer.

She saw the first hints of day on the horizon. It didn’t faze her. Since she had nothing to run from anymore, she tipped her beak and kissed him.

This is the moment I’ve been waiting for all my life…

The sun’s light broke the horizon, and gradually, the valley filled up with light. The sun felt warm on their feathers. They felt happy, and filled with a whole new feeling neither of them had felt before. A beautiful, loving feeling in their hearts.

When they broke the kiss, both of them were changed people.