Epilogue
Dylan sat cross-legged in front of the gate, waiting.
“What are you thinking about?” Merrin’s voice was soft. It no longer held the edge he was used to.
“They should be back by now.”
She sat beside him. “It’s not noon yet. Mind if I wait here with you?”
He sighed. “Not at all.”
“He came to me after it was all done. It was little more than a shadow and a whisper, but it was him.”
Dylan bit back a smile. “Is that why you seem more at peace with everything?”
She huffed. “That and Mom’s talking about retiring again. I wish we could speed this shit up. I am not cut out for diplomacy and playing nice.”
Dylan couldn’t stop the laughter from erupting, just as the air beside them shifted and a clean slit opened beside the gate. His mamaw and Gabriel stepped through, followed by a few wide-eyed, nervous men and women in suits.
The Liminan king followed, smiling as the rift closed behind him. “Let your people know you have arrived safely, and you will be back soon. Dylan, do you care to call the assembly of all worlds? We have much to discuss.”
Dylan smiled and stood. He summoned the rulers of the worlds as he had only once before. This time, he wasn’t afraid, and he relished in the awestruck way the representatives of the United Nations stared as he did his job and led a procession of dignitaries to the table where he had gotten justice for his father’s murder, and stepped into the woods. He didn’t care about the political intricacies being discussed. Revealing the truth to humanity. Expanding the universe for everyone.
He walked back to the gate and sat back down, feeling the magic all around him.
He cleared his throat. “You know you shouldn’t try to sneak up on me, Gabe.”
A soft chuckle came from behind him. “I wasn’t sneaking. I wanted to talk to you. We need to get away. Just us.”
Dylan smiled. “Somewhere romantic. Where we can just be us.” He turned to look at Gabriel. “Do you want tropical, or isolated? Or somewhere not on Earth?”
Gabriel chuckled softly. “I think Earth would get us more peace. But not for much longer. These representatives will spread the word, and it won’t be a secret from the public for long. Too much is happening.”
Dylan nodded. “I know.”
“This is our last chance for a honeymoon before the shit really hits the fan.”
He chuckled. “I know.” He stood and turned to face Gabriel. He reached out and took him by the hand, pulling him in to a tight embrace. “Our family is about to become a spectacle across the multiverse. A beacon of hope for some. Frightening to others.”
Gabriel stifled a laugh. “That was rather poetic. You’re taking this whole Zen guardian thing seriously.”
Dylan grinned. “I’m glad someone noticed. Frankly, you’ve been hanging out with your however many greats grandpa, so I’m kinda surprised you’re not sounding like that too.”
Gabriel shrugged. “Yeah, he can be like that. I guess with the stress of everything, I’ve not really gotten to that point yet.”
Dylan cleared his throat and slipped a hand into his pocket. “I know in every way that matters we’re already married.” He took Gabriel’s hand and slipped a ring onto it with a crooked grin. “But technically we’re still legally Americans. Why don’t we make it legal here?”
Gabriel leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his neck. “Of course, babe. But isn’t that a lot of planning and shit? Even more stress? Delegations, the press if we don’t do it quick.” He shuddered against Dylan.
“How about after all this is done, we slip off to Vegas? Just us. I’m sure the Liminan survivors could handle things for a few days. After we can get that honeymoon you were talking about.” He lowered his voice. “Literally anywhere you want.”
Gabriel stilled and pulled back. “Are you serious?”
Dylan grinned. “Aren’t I always now? I’ve had to deal with so many people who don’t understand the subtlety of jokes or sarcasm.”
Gabriel laughed. “Merrin will kill both of us.”
Dylan smiled.