Chapter 37
Sloan
“He was a hero, and he will always be remembered that way.” Sloan rested her head on Kade’s shoulder. “Your brother was a great man.”
“He was.” Kade leaned over and kissed Sloan on the head. “I just wish I’d had more time to get to know him.”
In the days after The Battle of The Mage Engine, as people were starting to call it, the dead had been buried and the survivors had begun putting back together their broken lives.
Jack had his father back and had summoned the courage to ask Abigail to marry him. The woman who had helped defeat the mage engine had said yes, and Sloan couldn’t have been happier for them.
Kimberly, Sasha, and Cherub were seeing to the imprisonment of the surrendered vampire soldiers, trying to figure out what to do with them next.
“They look so happy, don’t they?” Kade asked, wrestling Sloan from her thoughts. The two were on the Azra battlements, the sun high overhead, the ocean to their right.
Sloan followed his gaze to where Aareth and Ashley strode hand in hand on the beach.
“They look great together.” Sloan breathed a deep sigh, so happy for her friends. “I’m glad Ashley remembered her past with Aareth. Maybe now they can pick up where they left off.”
“Speaking of picking up where we left off.” Kade turned to Sloan and wrapped his arms around her. “I think I love you.”
Sloan felt a rush of heat burn her face. Her mouth went dry.
“This is the part where you say it back, or else it gets awkward.” Kade smiled down at her. “Any time now.”
“I’ve never said those words to anyone before.” Sloan leaned in and kissed Kade so hard, it almost hurt. “But I do, I love you, Kade Hyde.”
An awkward coughing from behind ruined the moment. Croft stood with her arm in a sling and an amused expression on her face. “May I have a quick word with the woman you love, Kade? It will only take a moment.”
“We have the rest of our lives together, so I guess you have my permission. But do hurry.” Kade winked at Sloan. “Go ahead, I’ll wait here.”
Sloan walked down the battlements on the Azra wall, trying to stop, but not succeeding in completely harnessing a silly smile playing across her lips.
“I’ll make this short.” Croft began to walk back the way she’d come. “You’ve earned some time to rest.”
Sloan followed by her side.
“New Hope needs a team of people to help rebuild their leadership. I can think of no one better than you and your vampire squad to go and maintain the peace while they elect their new leader. Edison and Elwood have volunteered to go with you.”
“How about you?”
“I have no desire to rule. I need to stay here. I have so much lost time to make up to my daughters. Plus, Jack brought a witch back with him from Term, one who is proficient in the healing arts. Maybe it’s time for me to pursue a different aspect of the magical realm.”
Sloan slowly nodded. In all honesty, she had no desire to go back to New Hope, but the people there would need stability while they got back on their feet. Plus, if Kade came, it wouldn’t be so bad after all.
“Take time to think about it.” Croft stopped and motioned back to Kade. “Talk with him and let me know what you’ve decided.”
“I will.” Sloan took a deep breath, thinking of all the possibilities the future could bring. “It will always be something, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we’ll always have some kind of obstacle to climb.”
Croft thought for a moment, her lips pursing in concentration.
“Yes, but that’s life, and with the right people beside us, it can be an adventure where we learn to grow instead of it being a lonely journey.
Now, go back to Kade. He’s starting to give me dirty looks because I’m keeping you too long. ”
The End