Epilogue
Elijah nearly swallowed his tongue. “W-What?”
A huge grin spread across Alistair’s face, and he laughed, his expression lighter than Elijah had ever seen it.
He was so happy. Pushing aside the question for now, since he assumed Alistair was a little magic drunk from the onslaught he received after the bands were removed, he let go of the last of the magic he was using to keep Alistair calm.
He was depleted after everything that had happened, but with a little rest, he’d be fine.
“Your family wants to see you. It’s a good thing they were here. Maverick wasn’t exaggerating when he said suppressed mages could level forests.”
He helped Alistair sit up and look around at the remnants of the spell circle.
The lightning storm that had followed the removal of the bands had been a little intense.
Alistair’s eyes had turned pure white, and the air around them had grown hot as clouds formed over their heads.
Bolt after bolt hit the ground, tossing up dirt and leaving burned spots in their wake, but it all stayed within the confines of the circle thanks to Alistair’s family’s involvement.
Agatha was the first to approach, caution making her footsteps slow. Elijah nodded at her, giving her permission to come closer, and her shoulders slumped with relief.
“How is he?” she asked as she stood beside them. Alistair’s parents hurried to join, and his father helped them both to their feet.
“I’m good,” Alistair assured them. “A little tired.”
“Well, a ritual will help with that. As long as it’s okay?” She directed the question to Elijah and raised an eyebrow.
“I, uh…” He felt a little out of his depth, he was by no means an expert, and he wasn’t sure what to say.
“How about we let him get some rest first and see how things go,” Alistair’s mother suggested. “Can you get back to the house or should we send someone back for the carriage.”
Alistair shook his head. “I feel fine– Eli!”
Elijah took a step back, trying to give the family more room, but the moment he released his hold on Alistair, the world tipped sideways, and if it weren’t for Alistair’s quick reactions, he would have fallen over.
“Shit. The carriage might be better. He’s exhausted.”
“As he should be after the kind of magic he exerted. Come along, Elijah. Some rest and perhaps a pot of my family’s magic tea will help,” Agatha insisted, using a spell to summon the carriage.
While they waited, Alistair kept him tucked against his side, pressing kisses to his hair and sending words of love and encouragement through their bond. It was exactly what Elijah needed.
They spent the weekend with Alistair’s family, and Elijah got to experience his first magic ritual.
His magic wasn’t something he could physically manifest like Alistair could, at least not outside the confines of his mind, but they adjusted the spell to accommodate that, and he was brought into the family with a binding ceremony that took his breath away.
Alistair seemed to have shed a heavy weight and didn’t stop smiling all weekend, especially when Edwina brought the kids to see him.
She was a little uncertain when she heard the bands had been removed, but Elijah took the time to explain to her what had happened and why Alistair had such a hard time getting better when he first came home.
She wasn’t happy to find out her father’s involvement had dragged out Alistair’s suffering and promised she’d do her part in making sure he got more time with the kids so their bonds could heal after the long separation.
To everyone’s surprise, Dylwin showed up at one point to apologize to Alistair.
He’d had no idea about the blockers and was firmly against them outside of the gravest of acts where a mage ended up in prison.
The rivals shook hands and parted on better terms, though Isaac said it wouldn’t surprise him if Dylwin did something else to piss them off in the near future.
Elijah had just shaken his head at that.
Agatha made them promise to come home every weekend for at least a little while, saying Alistair’s bonds being cut off didn't just affect him, and the family needed time to heal. Alistair agreed, because he knew he needed the same thing. He also agreed to see a family friend about working through what he went through in his time in the military. Now that he didn’t risk being shoved into a flashback every time he thought about the event, he felt comfortable working through his issues. So long as Elijah came with him.
Upon returning to work, Elijah found himself a little bewildered as staff started greeting him and no longer avoided his eye.
They still avoided touching him, but things were moving in a positive direction, and those closest to him didn’t hesitate to give him hugs and pats on the back upon their return.
It took a few weeks and some therapy sessions before Alistair was ready to meet with Tony.
While he was no longer at risk of flashbacks, the memory was traumatic for him, and he hadn’t been ready to face it right away.
Tony was understanding about that, and Elijah and Taron worked together to make sure they didn’t bump into each other by accident before Alistair was ready.
But today, finally, they were going to meet.
They’d chosen a more neutral location, a cafe in the fairy realm that had outdoor seating comfortable enough for Tony while giving Alistair the open air he needed.
Tony and his mates had arrived first, and Elijah and Alistair were supposed to meet them inside before being seated, but Alistair hesitated to go in.
Elijah refused to rush him, standing by his side and rubbing his arm as he worked through his emotions.
“Sorry, I just–” Alistair shook his head, his hand clenching and drawing away from the door for a second time.
“Everything you’re feeling is valid, Alistair. And if you’re still not ready, that’s okay too.”
Alistair shook his head. “No. There’s no reason to be afraid. I’m just psyching myself out. Can you…”
Elijah smiled and nodded, letting his magic blanket his anchor a little more heavily. Alistair told him it felt like a weighted blanket and made him feel more secure when he was in his sessions with his therapist. Elijah was happy to give that to him whenever he needed it.
It seemed to help, and Alistair drew in a bolstering breath before grabbing the door handle and pulling it open.
Tony and his mates were waiting at an empty table so Tony could sit, but he stood when Alistair came inside.
Elijah didn’t even have to use his magic to read him.
Tony was an open book, the trepidation and hope written clearly on his face.
When Alistair walked up to him, Tony swallowed hard.
“Uh, hey… It’s, uh… been a while.”
He winced, and the awkward greeting sent a flash of amusement through Alistair. “Hey, man. It has. How’ve you been?”
Tony shrugged one shoulder, leaning his weight on his cane a little more heavily than normal. Elijah narrowed his eyes, flicking his gaze to Taron, who murmured under his breath, “Flashbacks. He’s been uncomfortable lately.”
Ah. Elijah could understand that. It was hard on the both of them since they bumped into each other.
“Why don’t we take a seat?” Elijah suggested.
Taron headed for the hostess to get their table, and they were quickly seated outside at the table Zephyr had reserved for them.
Once seated, Tony rubbed his hands awkwardly on his jeans, his gaze flitting around like he was unsure of himself.
Elijah knew how gentle Tony was, and this situation was obviously hard for him.
He almost wanted to offer to soothe him a little, but he didn’t want to get in the way of any healing.
He chose to wait and would jump in if things got any worse.
“Uh, thanks for coming,” Tony began. “I, uh… I wanted to say thanks…”
Alistair’s brows furrowed in a frown. “Why?”
“You saved my life?” It sounded like a question, like Tony was confused Alistair didn't already know that yet.
Alistair shook his head. “No, I didn’t. I’m the reason you got hurt. I don’t know how much you remember, but you pushed me out of the way–”
“Yeah, but you put up the spell to keep us safe so I could get to a hospital. You sacrificed yourself to get me home,” Tony argued.
Neither seemed to want to accept anything other than blame, which wasn’t helpful. Elijah stepped in, offering his own two cents.“It seems to me like you saved each other. Neither would have survived without the other.”
Taron nodded in agreement, throwing his arm around Tony’s shoulders. “And look, because of what happened, you both ended up here and found your mates. So it wasn’t all bad.”
That was true. If the events that Tony and Alistair had experienced hadn’t happened, they might both still be in the military, and they never would have ended up at Spellbound.
Fate worked in funny ways sometimes. And while she was not always kind, Elijah was sure she rewarded those who suffered eventually.
Take him for example; finding his anchor was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Alistair shot him a dry look. “You’re cute, but some of that was probably coincidence. I still don’t believe there’s some omnipotent power out there forcing us to follow their bidding.”
“Of course there isn’t,” Elijah frowned. “There’s free will to consider. But if you pay attention to the signs…” He paused, then narrowed his eyes. “Alistair Silverbreeze, are you teasing me again?”
His evil anchor didn’t even try to hide his grin. “Stop making it so fun, and I’ll stop.”
Elijah threw up his hands, but he secretly still enjoyed how often Alistair played with him. It was something he didn’t get to experience before meeting him, and he liked how it made him feel included.
Tony seemed to relax watching them banter, pointing at Taron with a half smirk. “He does the same thing. I’ve learned to not believe anything he says without confirming it first.”
Taron mock gasped, putting a hand to his chest. “A thaisce! How could you?”
Zephyr grinned. “It’s a smart move. I know I always take whatever you’re saying with a grain of salt.”
“Ack! Not you, too! How dare my mates turn against me!”
Alistair and Tony finally relaxed, and Elijah felt another weight lift off his anchor’s shoulders.
The lunch was delicious, and the afternoon filled with laughter and teasing.
They didn't broach any deep subjects again, but Elijah knew that would come with time. For now, he’d enjoy these little moments where they could just soak in the joy and breathe.
A message beeped in his pocket, and he fished his phone out. It was from Avery, who’d rewarded Elijah’s help with his crippling fear of heights by basing his next book on a telepath like him.
Avery: So… You’ve read my books, right?
Elijah: Yes, why?
Avery: Great. I need to know how different sex is when you are literally in each other’s heads. Can you come over this weekend so I can pick your brain?
He followed it with a pleading emoji and a pout face. Elijah felt his face flame, and he heard Alistair chuckle as he read over his shoulder.
“They warned you he’d ask,” he pointed out. Isaac and Ozen had both warned him separately that the author never stopped plotting, and if Elijah accepted being a muse for a book, Avery might ask questions. He just never thought he’d be that blunt.
Alistair snatched the phone, typing out a reply while keeping the phone out of Elijah’s reach. Elijah couldn’t get it back, and Alistair sent the reply off and sealed his fate.
Elijah: We’ll be there. But if you want to get him talking, you’re going to have to bring the wine.
Avery: Deal.
Elijah’s mouth fell open. What did his mate just get him into?