Epilogue
Gazing at the spiral of shells, she waited for him. When his ethereal light filled the grotto, she spun around. She ran to him with the delight of a bride greeting her new groom—which he was and would forever be.
“Thomas,” she said in an aching whisper.
He was as handsome as ever, his typically somber countenance lit with excitement.
“I should not have doubted you, my darling Rose,” he said. “You were right. They are the ones destined to free us.”
“We are close, my love,” she agreed.
Although she knew they were beyond corporeal touch, she brushed her fingertips along the glowing outline of his jaw.
She felt the intimacy—the invocation of their bond.
When his eyes brightened, she knew he felt it too: their love that defied time and place, that would not bow to so paltry a thing as mortality.
“Only one more trial to go,” Thomas said fiercely. “If he succeeds, you and I will be free of this plane. Free to be together—for eternity.”
“Yes.”
Rose’s longing was like a captive bird, fluttering against the ribs of her soul. Yet the decades had taught her patience and the wisdom of allowing things to unfold in their time. She did not want Thomas to be disappointed if destiny had different plans than the ones they hoped for.
“This last brother…he is different from the others,” she said softly. “His demons are strong, and he may not be ready to slay them.”
“She will help him,” Thomas said confidently. “Their love will prevail.”
“Like ours?” Rose teased.
“Like ours, for this is the way of love.” His smile was tender. “To stay, to forgive, and to begin again.”