Epilogue
PHAEDRA
Unsure of how it would all work, we spent the last fifteen years testing everything.
Opening and closing the portals, individually and collectively, for short periods of time to gather data on how much power it took to do each and how long it took to replenish it.
Sending in messages via drone to see if the other worlds wanted to establish communication with us and ask if they wanted the portals opened.
Based on all our observations, we figured we could open the gates every fifteen years.
Any sooner and there wouldn’t be enough power in the box to fully close them.
We communicated this to each world along with a proposed date for the first opening.
Two days ago, I carefully turned the key clockwise and opened the gates. Lines of individuals were waiting to cross. The sheer influx of supernaturals was a concern to us but thankfully, Hephaestus’ design included safeguards to maintain the balance between the worlds.
We’re still learning how it all works, but thankfully, everything went smoothly. And in a few hours, we’ll close the gates for another fifteen years.
“Come on,” I whisper, unable to help myself. Anxious, I scan each tall, dark, and handsome man walking through the portal between this world and Kallias, looking for him. My mate.
Jamison squeezes my shoulders. “I’d tell you not to worry, but it would be hypocritical of me.” The lines around his eyes are tight with concern.
I bite my lip and turn back to the portal. And…there he is. Relief fills me.
Mathias rushes over and sweeps me into his arms. “Hello, love.” His lips crash down on mine in a brief, hard kiss.
“Two days is a long time, and yet not long enough. Seeing my daughter again. It was everything. Thank you.” He looks at the four of us.
“Calla says hello, and she looks forward to meeting all of you next time.”
“So, you didn’t forget about me?” I tease, knowing this intense man would never. I squeeze him tighter, thankful he’s back.
He lifts my chin. “As if I could forget my mate.”
Gatlin, always the first to show his love for us, pulls him into one of his infamous bear hugs.
The other two grin and give him a bro hug, complete with slaps on the back.
All of us were worried something would go wrong, but the small tests we did in advance assured us the gates would work.
It was still nerve-wracking watching him go.
When we announced we were opening the gates, surprisingly, only a few supernaturals wanted to return to their home worlds for good. A lot wanted to visit, though. See family and friends.
Not surprising, there has been an influx of those wanting to come here. But we don’t want to upset the balance between supernaturals and humans. So, we’re only allowing short-term visits this time.
I turn to address a group of incoming visitors and find Demeter standing in front of me.
I bite my lip. Did I do something wrong?
Her lips soften in a reassuring smile, then she steps to the side, revealing a gorgeous blond woman.
My breath catches. Her eyes. The perfect shade of blue given to her by the gods themselves.
The last time I saw them; she was being pulled into a portal.
“Pandora?” I whisper, afraid she’ll disappear if I say her name out loud. I slowly walk towards her, my hand outstretched. “Is that really you?”
She studies me for a second before stepping closer. “Phaedra.” Turning to the side, she reveals the three gorgeous men standing behind her. “My mates: Cohnal, Blu, and Sage.”
Her words are hesitant and coated in an accent that almost sounds familiar.
I smile at her men but they only stare at me in return.
Tall, broad shouldered, with hair in varying shades of brown and different colored eyes.
All three are handsome but their countenance is solemn as they glance from Pandora to me to Demeter and finally, to my men.
Hawthorne steps forward and introduces himself using his native tongue. Lyrical, and almost magical in tone, the words fill the air, easing the tension between us. Then he extends his hand for them to shake before offering them chocolate.
Pandora and her men exchange glances before the three men stiffly bow.
I raise an eyebrow.
A tinge of pink appears on Hawthorne’s cheeks, and he explains. “It’s a royal thing. As for the chocolate, it’s customary for elves to offer each other a gift before conversing. A show of good faith and a willingness to share in their fortune.”
I ignore the prince thing. Elves. That’s why the accent sounded familiar.
Although Hawthorne’s accent has been smoothed by time, I occasionally hear it when he gets emotional.
My eyes close in relief. Pandora went through the portal to Langit.
Hawthorne’s home. Of all the worlds, it was probably the safest. The one I hoped and prayed for the most. Opening my eyes, I catch the three of them looking at Pandora.
She lifts a shoulder, then turns her gaze to the chocolate Hawthorne is still holding. “What is it?”
“It’s candy,” I tell her, but when she looks puzzled, I remember we didn’t have that word back then. Or chocolate. What did we have? “Umm. Like loukoumades but different.” The fried dough balls served with honey were about the closest thing we had to a sweet treat besides fruit or cake.
She cautiously nods. Her men exchange glances, and Blu, the one standing closest to her takes the chocolate and pops it into his mouth. His eyes widen, then a broad grin appears. He motions to the other two.
Hawthorne laughs and hands them the rest of the chocolate.
After they finish, Cohnal slips a hand in his pocket, then pulls it out and presents his gift to Hawthorne. A handful of little brown seeds.
Hawthorne’s eyes light up at the sight of them. I smile. Such a plant nerd. “Thank you for your kindness.” He examines them closely. “Kennet?” They nod, and he turns to me. “This is a healing herb; unlike anything we have in this world. Its properties are amazing.”
He launches into a deep conversation with them in his native tongue and I have to assume it’s about plants. Pandora’s men finally begin to relax.
Demeter is still standing beside us, watching the exchange.
“Thank you.” I murmur to her, my voice cracking with emotion.
“She has only agreed to visit for two hours,” she informs me, and I nod in understanding. It took a lot for her to come and meet me.
I look at my sister. She’s practically glowing. “So, you ended up in Langit, huh?”
She nods but says nothing else. Only stands there, studying me.
I’ve been waiting years for this exact moment.
I take a deep breath. “I never thought I’d see you again, but I wished for it.
Every day. Just so I could apologize to you.
My sister. The one who paid the price for my actions.
” I wipe away the tears rolling down my cheeks.
“I’m so sorry I opened that vase. I was a child, a spoiled princess, who never thought of the consequences.
But as an adult, I’ve lived with my actions for over three thousand years.
Being alone gave me a lot of time to think.
To regret. To wish for the impossible. I’m so, so sorry.
I promise you, I’m not that person anymore. ”
She darts a glance at my men.
“Fifteen years,” I tell her, smiling at Jamison to relieve the concern I see on his face.
She tilts her head to the side. “I’ll be honest. For a long time, I hated you.” My heart stops. “Then I met my mates, and I realized fate had other plans for me. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. You?”
“Same,” I tell her, blowing out a relieved breath. “Life with them is everything I have ever dreamed of and more.” I point to each of them. “You’ve met Hawthorne. That’s Mathias. Jamison. Gatlin.”
She flashes them a tentative smile.
I step closer, wanting to hug her but not wanting to push her boundaries. I settle for clasping her hands in mine. “We have two hours. Tell me everything.”