Moon Raven Rising (The Moon Raven Trilogy #3)

Epilogue

Dax- Six years later

The blistering heat from my forge licks at my face as I pull the metal from the fire and lay it down on the anvil. In my other hand, I bring the hammer down on the glowing orange steel. With each hit, pieces of the cooling metal flake away, leaving behind the shape I wish to create.

Since the kingdom has been whole once more, the dragons returned to Valeska with Osiris, and there has been nothing to pull me away from myself, I find myself here often once again. Though it’s not like before.

The heavy door opens just a fraction, and even though no one peeks in, I smile knowing who is there watching me. They always sneak in at some point while I’m in here to see me work. I don’t mind. I was the same way when I was their age, wanting to learn from my uncle Declan.

“Well, are you going to just hide in the shadows, or are you going to come out to help?” There is no hiding the joy these two bring me, as they come in barely able to contain their excitement.

“Momma said it’s almost time for you to clean up.” Lani chews her lip as she looks up at me through her long lashes as her nearly black hair falls into her face.

“I guess it’s good I have two helpers here to make sure I get done on time…” I smile wide, pulling one just as wide from her as her brother knocks over tools and a bucket and spins around with his eyebrows hiked and his mouth pressed into a flat line.

“Oops. Sorry, Poppa.” He says, trying not to laugh, and I shake my head. Lani is two years older than him, and though she is named after my little sister, her little brother Cane is who lacks all inhibition like Melani did.

Standing, I put the hot metal in the quench bucket and call it quits on the would be blade. They watch as I pull my gloves off and head over to where Cane stands and crouch down in front of him.

“You know what happens when you make a mess around my forge, right?” His joyous face pales, and as hard as I try to keep a straight face, I can’t. I rustle his white blonde hair and tickle him fiercely. “You clean it up!” I call over his giggling laughter, pulling his sister into the pile on top of me. I call on my shadows for aid. Holding them in place, I torture them with tickles.

“Is this how the king conducts business with his royals?” Raelle’s voice cuts through the melee, and we all freeze, looking up with cheesy smiles all around. Though I see her trying hard, she too loses the battle and bursts into laughter. “Next time I need something done, I suppose I will do it myself.”

Using my shadows, I lift the children up and deposit them at their mothers side as I straighten my hair and clothes. Stepping into her, I place my hand on her swollen belly, and she sighs.

The forge door connects to the stables just like at my family home in Ravendene, but here the walk from the main house to the stables is a much longer distance, and since the house is actually a palace, the kids like to take the fun way in. So without a second thought, my wings snap from my back, and I scoop them both up, one in each arm, and launch into the sky.

“Ahhh!” Cane laughs without restraint, and by the time we reach the balcony, Lani is laughing just as freely. Raelle lands behind us as I push the kids inside to find the others.

Since the war, everyone has split ways, save Alaric, who is now the first general of the royal army. He has his own chambers here within the palace, and just like Miles, he has taken the kids under his arm whenever he can. He does well in this position, and after he killed Soren by having to kill his own father, it’s really the least I could do. The fact that Declan tied his life to Soren’s knowing that he would be sacrificed is as heartbreaking as it is honorable. He has proven himself loyal every day.

I snake my arm around Raelle’s back, and she laughs as I pull her into me. One hand splayed across her stomach. Our eyes lock, and slowly I guide her lips to mine. The kiss is languid, and she melts into me as my tongue chases hers in an endless dance. A throat clears, and I smile into my queen’s lips before I look up over her shoulder.

“Brother,” I grin.

“You know… I don’t even want to know what I just walked in on. You do know where kids come from, right?” Trent laughs, poking Raelle in the belly.

“I’m already pregnant, Trent. It can’t happen twice.” Raelle shakes her head as she swats Trent away. “Where is my war maiden?”

“She’s in the kitchen, of course.” Trent rakes a hand through the loose strands of his long hair. “I told her she didn’t have to help, but you know what it’s like—she’s just like Kait; can’t tell her anything.”

My smile falls at the mention of my best friend. She hasn’t returned since the battle. We’ve only received a handful of letters since she left Aldramani in search for answers about her heritage. Each one has become shorter and more hostile. She hasn't stayed in one place long enough over the years for me to tell her anything about our life here now. She’s broken after what happened on that battlefield. We are still looking for answers on how it happened too.

Even Osiris didn’t have an answer. Once the battle was won, he took the stone from Raelle with the explanation of what happened in the chamber with the goddess and left with urgency back to Valeska. Turns out Raelle was right about the stones. Valeska is now a close ally and friend to the crown of Aldramani.

“Yes, dear.” Trent’s focus returns from his inner thoughts and laughs, “Ambriel says we are going to be late if we don’t hurry up.” Raelle laughs, lacing her arm through mine and we follow Trent through the corridor, though Raelle and I take a leisurely pace due to her condition.

The dining hall is made up in sparkling whites and light blues, blacks, and grays, with candles lit everywhere, giving a warm winter vibrancy. We have named the winter solstice an honorable holiday to celebrate those who lost their lives in what people are calling the winter moon war.

Everyone rises as we enter, and I watch as everyone gathered around the table smiles and greets their queen, touching her growing stomach, and Maki pulls her chair out for her. Raelle’s eyes round, and I stop as I notice what she is looking at. A set of boots are lifted on the table. The man sitting at the head of it— in my seat . Anger blooms, the feeling more foreign these days, but strong as ever. I curl my hand around the high back chair and whirl it around. The man’s feet fall, and his laugh lights up everyone’s faces. My lips part as my eyes clash with the nearly black gaze I have not seen awake in a very long time.

“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” He asks, the inky veins along his neck and arms gone. His skin is clear and mostly unblemished after years of care in the infirmary. I shake my head…

“I don’t believe it.” I say under my breath. He stands up just a few feet from me, but it's not close enough. I pull him into a hug so tight I might risk actually killing him now, and I can’t help myself. I laugh so hard, that Raelle covers her mouth with her hand as tears fill her eyes.

“It's good to see you too, brother.” Cano says as he claps me on the back. “Let's eat. I’ve had some time to think, and I want your thoughts on hunting down a white wolf and bringing her home.” He grins, pulling out my chair and offering me my seat. I smile wide.

“I think that's the first good idea you have come up with in a very long time….”

Once we sit, everyone begins filling their plates with food. There are smiles on their faces and laughter in the air. I chuckle when Cane flicks potatoes at his sister, getting a loaded look from his mother. Cano urges him on where he sits beside him and I can't help but laugh at the irony of how much they click right away, seeing as he was named in honor of his uncle Cano… As I watch everyone mingle and find pleasure in each other's company, I can’t help but feel like perhaps there is beauty in ruin.

When you think of the reason it came to be that way and what can come out of the other side. Everything we have been through as a family, we have made it out ok. Not unscathed, but mostly whole, and that's all that matters. Raelle and I started out in a dark place, and the passion and fire burning together caused an inferno so glaringly bright that even the sun shied away. That’s the reminder I get when I look at Raelle. When the darkness is too much, she’s my bright star in the night. She always allows me to see everything that really matters and guides me to keep going.