55. Chapter 55
The soft breeze tickles over my face as the boat floats through the sea. The sails curve with the wind as the small dot in the distance grows into an island. Our new home.
Our new beginning that will lead to our final ending.
Hephaestus’s skin, blood, and bones have turned to dust, and his presence leaves no mark on this world, marking our freedom from our curse.
His death took something from us, our way back to where we belong, making the choice that was most difficult for Ares. We are no longer gods, just an exiled Aetherion with his mates, a Draconis with a power that’s seen as an abomination, and a simple Warden who brought us together. Healed what was broken .
With the loss of our cursed immortality, Ares lost his second power, leaving him with the one where he can speak with passed souls.
I believe he lost the most, gave up on a life he’d chased for so long, but I trust that we’ll gain something far better in return.
A finite life with meaning, where we make the most of every moment. We don’t dread the next life or the possibility of living in a world without Ethan. I suppose this is the life we’re meant to live, even if it isn’t what we were expecting.
My stomach turns, and nausea takes its hold on me as the boat sways. I rest my hand on my lower belly as a smile tilts on my lips, knowing what is hidden beneath my touch.
“Are you okay?” Ares asks as he snakes his arm around my waist and tucks my hair behind my ear, revealing his restored mark. My heart still skips when I think about finally gaining that mark and how pure ecstasy flowed through my veins.
“Never been better,” I whisper as my eyes flick to my mark on his neck. “I got everything I wanted and so much more.”
“We got a family,” Ares agrees as his eyes travel to Ethan, who makes his way across the boat toward us with a relaxed grin on his face.
“Yes, we did,” I say and lean closer as we both turn around to face Ethan. An uncontrollable smile forms on my lips at the sight of him. Our missing piece.
“No more coming back, though,” Ares jokes.
“Our last life will be our best, I just know it,” I say as my fingers brush gently over my belly. I can’t think of a better way to start this new chapter of our lives than bringing a new life into our world. I’m not sure how I know, but I do .
Now, I only need the right time to tell them, because I can’t tell it here, as I know the meaning of bringing a direct descendent of the last Aetherion to the world… or perhaps it’s Ethan’s…
Ares kisses my temple before reaching out to put his arm around Ethan’s shoulder, pulling him close to his side before kissing his temple as well. “As long as we’re together, it’s all I need.”
Ethan places his hand on Ares’ back, rubbing gently as he bends forward to kiss my forehead. “This is our life now. It’s kind of crazy.”
“We can’t leave the island,” Ares says with a nod as we glance over at the approaching land. “It’s the only deal I could think to make in the moment. Nothing else would’ve spared you two and allowed me to kill Hephaestus.”
“It was an insane decision,” I tell Ares with a pointed look, remembering how fearful and shocked I was when I realized what he was doing in the midst of battle. My face then softens as I nestle myself against his side. “But it was the right one. We’ll be happy there.”
“But we’re the only ones living there, right?” Ethan asks.
A familiar voice sounds close to us, prompting us to turn our heads as Ripley strides toward us. “Well, originally, the island was used for prisoners and exiles, murderers…”
“Not anymore,” I cut him off as I lift a finger.
Ripley shakes his head with a faint smile. “No, not anymore. But what kept them here is still around to keep you there.”
The water ripples ahead, and I edge closer to the railing, peering into the depths of the sea. I swear that I see something dark glide beneath the surface, but maybe that’s my eyes playing tricks on me.
Unless that’s not the case.
“That’s the guardian of Vealthor. He makes sure no one leaves and protected our species from… well, you know,” Ripley explains as he glances over at Ares. At least he has lost his accusatory tone. Since Ares made one of the most ultimate sacrifices, Ripley and Ares have settled their differences. For the most part.
I draw in a deep breath as I step away from the side, not wanting to risk falling overboard. I don’t want to test this guardian. We fought so hard to live that it would be stupid to gamble with our new lives by breaking the conditions of our agreement.
Ares sighs, and Ethan rests against him, a sly smile on his lips as he gazes up at Ares. I can’t believe I missed this, that it took me so long to realize the feelings Ethan had for Ares.
But it doesn’t matter anymore.
What was meant to happen happened. I love my mates, and they love me and each other as well. I never expected to have so much love fill my heart, but it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world, knowing that I can have both of the people whom I adore most.
“It’s in the past. This is our new life, and whatever happens in Nythralia or with Fangar or wherever doesn’t affect us now,” Ares says as he shakes his head. We’re officially detached from the rest of the world, but maybe that isn’t a bad thing.
Maybe that’s for the best after all that we’ve been through. After all that we’ve put other people through.
“I’m so over the politics, anyway,” Ethan replies as he waves his hand dismissively, prompting Ares and me to smile in amusement.
Ares soared high as an Aetherion, but he also lost himself in the power. Now, he seems so much happier without all of that weight on his shoulders and without the need to preserve his power and grow it to be stronger than everyone else.
“I do wonder who is going to be Isadora’s mate,” Ripley says, bringing up an unexpected point .
“Do you regret it, your choice, knowing what your life was supposed to be?” I ask, hearing a hint of longing in his voice.
He gulps, his eyes softening as he looks back at me. “She wasn’t my mate. It was a set up bond…” He pauses as he takes a breath. “Someday, I’ll find my mate.”
“Or your harem,” Ethan taunts, and a blush catches Ripley’s cheek.
Wherever he ends up, I hope he finds the same love I have. The same happiness. He came through for us when we needed him the most, so all I hope for him is the best.
Maybe that is Isadora. Or maybe it’s not.
My mind centers in on Isadora and her expected future, confused thoughts beginning to break through as I piece together what I know and lived in the past. Things don’t make as much sense as they should.
I thought we finally had all the answers we looked for, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
“Wait…” I start as my brows draw together. “How can Isadora become the next Aetherion?”
“What do you mean?” Ares asks as everyone turns to me, wondering where I’m going with my question. “By law, she can, as my blood runs through her veins.”
“I know that, but…” I glance back, my heart starting to race as one important detail sticks out to me. Eleanor’s daughter might have been an exception, but who says Isadora is the same as she comes from an unmarked line?
“How can she become the leader of the dragons… when she might not be one?”
To be continued…