Epilogue Teddy
One Month Later
“Well, here it is,” I said as I stepped into Nerion’s dorm room. I held shook the thick parchment letter above my head, smiling like a fool. “The Elder Council’s official ruling on my parents.”
“Sentenced to death?” Nerion grinned from the edge of his bed. “Torture? A thousand years of listening to Taylor Swift on repeat?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll just read it to you.”
He patted his lap, and I easily fell into it. I leaned back against his chest, feeling his muscles flex against me. I gave the letter a flick, cleared my throat, and started to read.
Official Statement from The Elder Council
Mr. Voss,
We are writing to inform you about the results of our investigation into your parents, Carrick and Calliope Voss. After a thorough review of evidence submitted by yourself, Mr. Nerion Thalassos, and various witness testimonies, we have found Carrick and Calliope Voss guilty of the following:
1. Illegal use of compulsion magic on a minor
2. Emotional and psychological abuse of their ward
3. Attempted interference with Academy governance
4. Violation of the Magical Ethics Code, Section 12.4
As punishment, the Elder Council has stripped them of their positions on all magical governing bodies. Additionally, they have been placed under magical probation for ten years, when they will be reevaluated.
However, we regret to inform you that we have been unable to carry out this sentence.
Carrick and Calliope Voss are currently at large and presumably in hiding.
Rest assured, we are using all resources available to find and bring them to justice.
Should we succeed in that endeavor, we will notify you.
But for now, please use caution when outside of school grounds.
Furthermore, your legal emancipation has been granted. All financial assets previously held in trust for you are now under your direct control. And we’ve attached magical passports for you and Mr. Thalassos so that you may visit his family home in Greece anytime you wish.
Should you have any further concerns, please contact our office.
Regards, Anastasia Calaxos
Elder Council
I lowered the letter, my hands trembling slightly. “They actually did it. They found out the truth.”
Nerion’s arms tightened around my waist. “You deserve this vindication, Teddy. After everything they put you through… but I wish the Elder Council could find them. It seems unfair that they should walk free after everything they did to you.”
“I know,” I sighed, leaning back against Nerion’s chest. “But they ran. That says something, doesn’t it? They knew what they did was wrong, and they couldn’t face the consequences.”
Nerion’s fingers traced gentle patterns on my arm as he considered this. “True. Cowards run when confronted with their crimes.”
I folded the letter carefully and set it aside.
The weight that had been pressing on my chest for weeks finally lifted.
Even though my parents had escaped justice for now, the Elder Council had validated everything I’d been through.
I wasn’t crazy or ungrateful or just plain rebellious.
I had been abused, manipulated, and controlled through magic by the people who were supposed to love me most.
“How does it feel?” Nerion asked, his breath warm against my ear. “Being officially free of them?”
“Surreal,” I admitted. “All my life, they planned everything for me. Who I knew, what I’d study, who I’d become... And now I get to decide all of that for myself.” I turned in his lap to face him, cupping his freckled face in my hands. “It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.”
His blue eyes searched mine, a small smile playing at his lips. “And what have you decided so far?”
“Well,” I said, leaning in until our foreheads touched, “I’ve decided I’m staying at Widdershins. I’m going to keep swimming, but on my terms. And I’m thinking about adding some art classes next semester.”
Nerion’s eyebrows shot up. “Art classes? Really?”
“Don’t look so surprised,” I laughed. “Someone I know makes it look pretty appealing. Besides, I’ve always wanted to try it, but my parents...” I trailed off, not wanting to bring them into this moment more than necessary.
“You’ll be terrible at first,” Nerion warned, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Everyone is.”
“Good thing I know a good teacher,” I replied, kissing the tip of his nose. “I hear he’s very talented. Maybe he’ll give me private lessons.”
“Private lessons, huh?” Nerion’s hands slid down to my hips, pulling me closer. “I think that could be arranged.”
A knock at the door interrupted us, and we both groaned in unison.
“Come in,” Nerion called, though he didn’t loosen his grip on me.
Linden’s massive frame filled the doorway as he entered, ducking slightly to avoid hitting his head on the frame. His eyes widened slightly at our position, but he just smirked.
“Sorry to interrupt whatever this is,” he said, gesturing vaguely at us, “but I just wanted to say goodbye. I’m heading back to The Grove for Christmas break.”
I reluctantly climbed off Nerion’s lap. “We’re gonna head out soon too.”
“Yeah,” Nerion groaned, getting up from the bed. “My parents old house in Greece is in pretty bad shape. Even with Teddy’s magic, it’ll probably take the entire break to fix.”
“But it’ll be worth it,” I added, already picturing the small stone house perched on the cliffs above the Aegean. “Plus, we can swim whenever we want.”
Linden’s green eyes lit up with interest. “The Mediterranean in December? Sounds pretty nice compared to trudging through snow to get to The Grove.”
“You could come visit,” Nerion offered, surprising me a little. He wasn’t usually one to extend invitations easily. “After you’ve recharged at your forest. The house isn’t huge, but there’s a guest room.”
“Yeah, maybe I will,” Linden nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve never been to Greece.”
“Just give us a couple weeks first,” I added hastily, wrapping an arm around Nerion’s waist. “For... renovations.”
Linden laughed, a deep rumbling sound that seemed to vibrate the air around him.
“Right. ‘Renovations.’ Got it.” He stepped forward and pulled us both into a crushing hug that lifted us off our feet.
“Be careful out there, you two. And Teddy—” his voice dropped lower, serious for once, “you take good care of him, you hear?”
“You know I will,” I said as he set us down. “And I’ll try to keep him out of trouble, but no promises.”
Linden smiled, seemingly satisfied. “That’s the best I can ask for.” He gave us one last hug. “Well, I better get going. The forest calls.” He patted his pockets, checking for his belongings. “See you guys after break.”
After he left, Nerion turned to me, his eyes searching my face. “Are you sure about this? About Greece? We could just stay here for break. It would be safer with your parents out there still.”
I shook my head firmly. “I want to go. I want to see your home and help you fix it up.” I pulled him closer, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Besides, I think we both need some time away from here. Somewhere we can just be us.”
Nerion smiled, that rare, genuine smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Okay. But we’re setting up proper wards this time. No taking chances.”
“Deal.” I sealed the promise with a kiss, which quickly deepened as Nerion’s hands slid under my shirt, his cool fingers tracing patterns on my skin.
“We should finish packing,” he murmured against my lips, making no move to stop what he was doing.
“Mmm,” I agreed, already working on the buttons of his shirt. “Definitely. Right after this.”
“Save it for Greece,” he replied, pulling my hands away. “I promise, it’ll be worth the wait.”
With a sigh, I let him go and he resumed packing, tossing clothes and essentials into his bag.
We didn’t need much, but a toothbrush and maybe one pair of underwear was required I suppose.
I watched Nerion carefully wrap his sketchbooks and art supplies, treating them with more care than anything else he owned.
“Do you think we’ll be able to restore it?
” I asked, thinking about the abandoned house by the sea.
When we’d made a quick visit before, I’d seen glimpses of its former beauty beneath years of neglect.
There were handmade mosaic floors partially hidden under dust, faded frescoes on the walls, and a crumbling terrace with a view that took my breath away.
“With magic? Absolutely,” Nerion replied, not looking up from his packing.
“My parents were sirens, so they had to rely on doing things by hand usually. But with your magic? It won’t take long.
” He paused, a shadow crossing his face.
“We’ll need to fix the roof first. And probably check for critters that have moved in. ”
I nodded, trying to picture us there, making the place our own. It was strange how quickly my life had changed. A few months ago, I’d been drowning under my parents’ expectations, sleepwalking through a life they’d designed for me. Now I was free, truly free, with a future wide open before me.
And I was in love with a siren who loved me back.
The reality of our situation still caught me off guard sometimes.
There was the knowledge that my love for Nerion wasn’t just emotional but literal life support.
If I ever stopped loving him, even for a moment, he would dissolve into seafoam just like his parents had. It was a terrifying responsibility.
But looking at him now, his red hair falling across his forehead as he concentrated on folding a shirt just right, I couldn’t imagine ever not loving him. The curse seemed impossible when my heart felt so full.
“What are you staring at?” Nerion asked, catching me watching him.
“Just you,” I replied honestly. “Still can’t believe this is real sometimes.”
He set down the shirt and crossed to where I stood, taking my face in his hands. “It’s real,” he said softly.