26. Epilogue
Dante stood at attention with the rest of his team, their formal uniforms creating a striking display of color across the ceremony hall. His red jacket shimmered with gold accents, embroidered with sigils of fire. Medals pinned to his chest caught the light, a reminder of their recent victory three months ago. Across the hall, MAGIIC officials and invited guests filled the rows, their anticipation thick in the air.
At the center of the stage stood Professor Silverthorn, her authoritative presence drawing every gaze. Beside her, Sebastian waited in his white uniform, the ARC emblem patch newly sewn onto his shoulder. The swirling design, a symbol of unity among the elements, stood out against the stark fabric, and he wore it with the composure of someone who knew exactly how much it meant.
Amara stepped forward, her words carrying across the hall. “Today, we recognize not only the exceptional bravery of our elite task members of the Arcane Response Coven but also welcome a new member into our family. Sebastian Blackthorn, through skill, resilience, and unwavering dedication, has proven himself worthy of this team and its mission.”
She turned toward Sebastian, gesturing for him to step forward. He obeyed, his posture flawless as he faced her. The room stilled as the professor extended a scroll, its parchment glowing with enchanted energy. “Sebastian Blackthorn, will you recite the oath?”
“I will.” Sebastian’s silver-gray eyes met hers before he took the scroll. He held it with steady hands, his voice clear as he began:
“I swear to wield magic’s breath in battle with unwavering might. With my oath to our people and realm, I pledge my soul in duty to Vaeloria, justice, and protection for the innocent, and balance of all magic. As part of this coven, I will stand, united as family by the element’s command.”
His oath reverberated through the space, as though the magic within them recognized their weight. When he finished, a quiet murmur passed through the crowd before erupting into applause.
Amara nodded, her expression firm but warm. “With these words, you are now a member of the Arcane Response Coven. Welcome.” She gestured for Sebastian to kneel, summoning a blade of ceremonial light that glowed with every elemental hue. Lightly, she touched it to each of his shoulders, completing the ritual.
Sebastian rose, his smile restrained but genuine as he saluted. The applause swelled again, but Amara raised a hand to silence the crowd.
“We also gather to honor this team’s collective effort,” she said. “This team has faced unparalleled challenges and, against overwhelming odds, protected this city from destruction. Their heroism during battle, and the containment of the fires which ravaged our city, deserves recognition.”
She stepped aside, allowing an official from MAGIIC to present a series of medals to the team. One by one, each member stepped forward as their names were called: Lucas in his orange uniform, Aiden in green, Kaelen in yellow, and so on.
When his name was called, he strode forward, his crimson jacket gleaming. The medal pinned to his chest heavy as the official acknowledged him. “For your courage and bravery,” they said.
Dante nodded once before returning to his place in line.
Finally, Sebastian stepped forward again. Amara presented him with a medal of his own, her tone solemn as she addressed him. “For unwavering determination and proving that one’s legacy is not defined by the past but by the choices we make. May you carry this honor as you do your role—proudly and with purpose.”
Sebastian inclined his head, the applause swelling again as he returned to his place among the team.
When the ceremony concluded, Dante crossed his arms, a smile firmly in place as he approached Sebastian. “So, Blackthorn,” he said with mock formality. “How’s it feel being one of us now?”
Sebastian arched a brow, the corner of his mouth curving upward. “Feels like it should’ve happened sooner.”
Dante rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he leaned toward him. “Oh, sure. Next time, we’ll skip the whole proving yourself part and just slap a uniform on you the moment you stroll in.”
Sebastian’s grin widened, his silver-gray eyes glinting with amusement. “I look good in it, though. Admit it,” he said, turning so to show off his white uniform.
Dante scoffed, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” Sebastian said, his tone unapologetic. “Feels pretty good, actually.”
“Careful. That ego on you might knock over a few buildings if you’re not careful.”
Sebastian chuckled, tilting his head as his gaze met his. “Jealous?”
Dante snorted, stepping back but still keeping his eyes on him. “Of you? Please. I’m just wondering how long it’ll take before you start signing your name with little air glyphs of cyclones.”
Sebastian pretended to consider it, tapping his chin theatrically. “Not a bad idea. I’ll workshop it.”
Dante shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you like it,” Sebastian said.
For a moment, Dante didn’t respond, his smirk softening as he met Sebastian’s gaze. “Yeah, I do.”
Sebastian’s grin shifted, something warmer flickering in his expression as he straightened. “Good. Because I’m not changing.”
“Didn’t ask you to,” Dante said, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
Sebastian stepped closer. “Good,” he murmured, dropping his voice just enough to send a thrill through Dante.
Before he could fire back with another quip, Sebastian reached out, his hand sliding to the back of his neck, and pulled him into a kiss.
It wasn’t rushed or demanding—just firm enough to make Dante stop thinking and feel instead. The room around them, the quiet buzz of the team dispersing from the ceremony, all of it faded as Sebastian’s lips pressed against his—until he heard the cat calls and whistles from the others standing a few feet away.
Dante exhaled, his hands finding Sebastian’s waist instinctively, and for a moment, he let himself lean into it.
“Had to make sure you meant it,” Sebastian said.
Dante chuckled, stepping back but not bothering to hide the flush creeping up his neck. “You’re so annoying.”
“And you’re mine,” Sebastian shot back, his grin widening.
“Yeah, yeah,” Dante muttered, his gaze flicking to the other ARC members who were currently making kissy faces in their direction. “Come on. Their probably placing bets on how long we’d take.”
Sebastian laughed, intertwining their fingers together before they turned toward the rest of the team, hand in hand.
***
RYLAN
Rylan Blackthorn swirled the champagne he’d picked up from one of the circulating trays, his dark eyes scanning the lively room. The crowd wasn’t as pretentious as the ones he usually dealt with, which made them infinitely more interesting. Elemental uniforms in vivid hues broke up the sea of polished suits and elegant dresses, each color a silent proclamation of the wearer’s magical affiliation.
He took a slow sip, savoring the bubbles, when his attention snagged on a lone figure near a table piled high with artfully arranged plates of food and drink.
The mage in green had an unassuming air, his hands clasped loosely in front of him as if unsure where to put them. Brown hair fell in soft waves across his forehead, and his round, chubby cheeks gave him an almost boyish look, though the thick arms and legs visible under his tailored uniform hinted at surprising strength. His soft tummy, barely noticeable under the structured jacket, only added to the contrast, making him look approachable in a way that most people in this room didn’t. His face had an innocence to it, shy and timid, but there was a quiet sharpness in his emerald-green eyes as they flicked over the room like he was counting exits.
A grin spread across Rylan’s face as he started toward him, his steps easy and unhurried. Shadows stretched along the ground in his wake, unnoticed by the mingling guests but rippling just enough to satisfy his need for mischief. “You know,” he said as he neared the table, “you stand out more by trying to blend in.”
The mage glanced up, a cute pink flushing his cheeks. “I’m not trying to blend in,” he said. “Just… staying out of the way.”
Rylan’s grin widened as he set his glass on the table. “That’s a shame. Someone like you shouldn’t fade into the background. Makes me wonder what you’re hiding.”
The mage straightened, his posture stiffening. “But I-I’m not hiding anything .”
“Of course not,” Rylan said, tilting his head. His grin sharpened. “But there’s something about you. A mystery. And I do love a good mystery.”
Before he could reply, a familiar presence appeared at Rylan’s side.
“Rylan?” Sebastian said. “What’re you doing here?”
Rylan turned, raising a brow as he faced his brother. “Nice to see you too, Sebby. You invited me.”
“I know I did but… No one responded. I assumed that—
“You assumed wrong.”
Sebastian’s silver-gray eyes narrowed. “Why’re you really here?”
Rylan leaned back against the table, his expression unruffled. “To celebrate my big brother’s triumph, of course. Thought it’d be fun. Turns out, I was right.” He gestured toward the mage in his green uniform with a lazy wave of his hand. “I was just getting to know the rest of your new team.”
Sebastian stepped between them, his posture radiating authority. “Aiden doesn’t need your kind of attention.”
Rylan’s smile softened, though the gleam in his dark eyes remained. “That’s for him to decide, isn’t it, Aiden?”
Aiden’s blush deepened and dropped his gaze, as if he wanted to crawl under the buffet table and hide.
“ Rylan ,” Sebastian said, his voice dropping in warning.
Rylan raised his hands in mock surrender, though his grin didn’t waver. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave. For now.”
Sebastian turned to Aiden, his concern evident in the way he placed a steadying hand on the mage’s shoulder. “You okay?”
Aiden nodded, though his gaze lingered on Rylan, wary but curious. “Is he really your brother, Sebastian?”
Sebastian appeared reluctant to answer but he nodded. “Yes. Rylan Blackthorn, meet Aiden Hart,” he said, gesturing between them, his polished manners kicking in no doubt.
Aiden offered out his hand to shake but instead, Rylan grabbed his fingers, bringing his knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss.
“Lovely to meet you, Aiden,” Rylan purred.
Aiden’s eyes grew as round as saucers, frozen in shock.
Sebastian batted them apart, stepping in front of Aiden protectively. “Leave him alone.”
“You win, Sebby,” Rylan said and Sebastian grimaced. “Congratulations, brother. I’ll head out now.”
As he passed by, Rylan took the opportunity to slide a sleek black card into Aiden’s pocket, his grin turning conspiratorial, leaning in close to his ear. “In case you ever feel like solving a mystery,” he said.
Aiden gasped, grabbing for his ear, and jerking back.
Rylan only winked before stepping back, catching Sebastian’s glare over his shoulder as he walked away. “See you around…”
***
DANTE
Dante leaned back against the edge of his bed, his red jacket draped over a nearby chair and the rest of his uniform already halfway undone. The crisp, formal lines of his attire were at odds with the heat simmering in his gaze as Sebastian stepped closer.
“So, officially one of us now,” Dante asked. “How’s it feel?”
Sebastian smirked, shrugging out of his white jacket, and letting it fall carelessly to the floor. “About the same. No pressure, right?”
His amber eyes glinted with amusement as he grabbed Sebastian’s belt, pulling him closer. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.” His grin widened as he unfastened the belt, the leather slipping free with a quiet snap. “Besides, I hear you’ve got an excellent mentor.”
“Oh. Is that so?” Sebastian murmured, his hands moving to the buttons of his shirt. “Because from what I recall, my so-called mentor spends half his time making things up as he goes.”
“Yeah, well,” Dante said as he looked up at Sebastian. “You don’t seem to mind.”
“Not even a little,” Sebastian admitted, his silver-gray eyes warming as his fingers slid the shirt off his shoulders. He leaned in, catching his lips in a kiss that was slow , unhurried but no less charged.
Dante exhaled against him, his hands finding Sebastian’s waist as their kiss deepened. The rest of their uniforms disappeared in a blur, until it was just the two of them, skin to skin.
Sebastian pushed Dante gently onto the bed, pulling his legs around his waist as he leaned over him. “You’re a lot of things, Dante Reed,” he said. “Complicated. Stubborn. Reckless. But you’re also mine.”
Dante huffed a soft laugh, his amber eyes bright as he met Sebastian’s gaze. “You keep saying that. Who’re you trying to convince here?”
Sebastian’s lips curved, his fingers tracing the fiery marks on his arm. “No one. Just like reminding you. Because you’re stuck with me now.”
For a moment, the teasing edge faded from his expression, replaced by something rawer, more vulnerable. He lifted a hand, fingertips exploring along Sebastian’s jaw then down across the planes of his chest. His fingertips trailed along the scars from his surgery, where shrapnel from the warehouse had embedded in his ribs and gut.
“Good,” he whispered. “Because I’m never letting you go either.”
Sebastian smiled, leaning down to kiss him again, a quiet exchange of promises neither of them needed to speak aloud.
When they finally came back up for air, Dante chuckled, his hand curling lazily around Sebastian’s wrist. “Wish I’d known dating teammate thing came with perks.”
“Perks?” Sebastian arched a brow, his lips quirking upward. “Do I even want to know?”
Dante grinned, his expression mischievous. “Just thinking how nice it’ll be to go your place. You know because you like it when I’m loud.”
Sebastian laughed, the sound warm and unguarded as he settled beside Dante, their bodies pressed close. “You’re incorrigible.”
“You love it,” Dante shot back, then he added, “You love me.”
Sebastian’s grin softened, his silver-gray eyes meeting amber gaze with a quiet certainty. “I do,” he said, his fingers combing through his crimson hair. “I love you, Dante.”
His breath caught, and for a moment, his teasing demeanor wavered. “You better,” he said, leaning in to kiss him again. “Because I love you, too.”
As the city lights painted soft reflections across the room, they lay entwined, their warmth blending like fire meeting air. Dante traced his fingers along Sebastian’s shoulder, the fiery marks on his arms a quiet reminder of how far he’d come—not just as a mage, but as himself.
For the first time, the burn in his chest didn’t feel like a fight or a burden. It felt like life—his life. And Sebastian, steady and unyielding, was the oxygen that gave him a reason to keep going, to let the fire inside him burn bright instead of consuming him.