Epilogue Eternal Heresy
I
Four Years Later
From the rooftop garden at the peak of the city, Dav stood with Nora and looked out over the domes of Orthros. Polar night draped the sky in indigo, and fresh snow glittered on the many-colored mosaics. He had seen this view for five centuries, but every time she beheld it, he felt like he was looking at the world and at her for the first time.
Dav would never stop wishing Rahim could stand here with them now. But his memory would live forever, and so would Nora.
Dav caressed the thin braid of his hair she wore in her curls. Her vibrant red braid draped down his cheek and over his shoulder, a constant reminder to him and all their people of their Grace bond. The wind tugged at her sleeveless red robe, and Dav ran his hands down her bare arms, caressing her smooth skin. She beamed at him over her shoulder, her fangs tempting him to kiss her.
“You can see it from here! Look.” She pointed at one small dome among the others. Dav recognized the top of the Shrine of Hespera that Nora had designed and built to complete her studies with Yasamin.
“Just think,” he said, “your contribution to the architecture of Orthros will be seen by everyone who sets foot here in the Queens’ garden, for centuries to come.”
“Do you think anyone will mind if the kiss I’m about to give you will be seen by everyone?”
“The Queens kiss each other up here all the time.” Dav lowered his face toward her.
Nora wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed ardent kisses to his mouth, her fangs teasing his lips. How he enjoyed it every time her new Hesperine appetites overtook her. He heard the last group of Hesperine petitioners depart, but didn’t bother to veil himself and Nora. No one begrudged two newly avowed Graces a display of affection.
Dav spoke in her mind, their Grace Union carrying his words directly between their thoughts. We should go to your shrine later. Alone. I want to perform one of Hespera’s most sacred rituals. He sent her a mental image of her kneeling in the Sanctuary she had built. Then him down on his knees behind her, thrusting inside her while he took her vein.
Nora drew back, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “You indecent Hesperine. I can’t appear before the Queens with my face all red.”
He gave her an unrepentant grin. “I think they’re ready to see us now.”
“I’ll make you pay for this blush later.”
“I look forward to whatever revenge you have in mind.”
Hand in hand, they approached the Queens through the garden of white roses. Queen Alea, once from Tenebra and pale like the blooms, sat with Queen Soteira, their Imperial monarch, who was as dark and beautiful as the Goddess’s night sky. Their only thrones were their silk cushions. For crowns, they wore one another’s Grace braids. Their power was self-evident in the ageless, endless magic in their auras. Dav and Nora put their hands on their hearts and bowed.
Queen Soteira gave them an affectionate smile. “Congratulations on the completion of your studies, Nora. We would be pleased to attend the dedication ceremony for your shrine.”
“You honor me, Annassa,” she replied, using the Queens’ honorific. “Surely you didn’t ask to see us only to show me such recognition.”
“No,” Queen Alea said with a kind laugh. “We would also like to recommend you to someone for your first commission.”
“He’ll be joining us in a moment,” said Queen Soteira.
“Annassa, this is a dream come true.” Nora’s happiness lit up their Grace Union.
Dav smiled at his mentor. “You have our gratitude.”
“He has a position available for a mind healer, as well,” Queen Soteira said. “I think you two are just the pair he needs.”
The heavy tread of riding boots ascended the steps behind Dav and Nora. They turned to see a Hesperine approaching, dressed not in the silk robes of Orthros, but Tenebran battle gear. The blood-red braid trailing to his ankles was legendary, his grim, hawkish face known to every Hesperine, although seldom seen at home these days. He was one of the most infamous Hesperines errant to ever challenge his people’s persecutors.
The First Prince of Orthros had returned.
Dav gave the heart bow, Nora following his lead.
“Firstblood Daryavesh,” said the prince. “I hear you are a mind healer after my own heart.”
“That is high praise, First Prince.” Despite how powerful Dav was, he found himself in awe of the magic pouring off the prince. The Queens’ eldest son had inherited Annassa Soteira’s dual affinity for mind healing and physical healing.
“I remember your brother as well.” A shadow passed over the prince’s aura. “He was an admirable healer. Your grief runs in my veins.”
The condolence had seldom been more true. The prince had also lost someone he had loved as a brother. Like Rahim, the Hesperine hero Prometheus had sacrificed his life as a Hesperine errant.
“All of Orthros mourns with you,” said Dav.
“I prefer action to mourning,” the prince replied. “Imagine if there were a Sanctuary in Tenebra where a force of Hesperines errant remained every night of the year. A refuge closer than Orthros, where any of our people could get to our healers right away.”
Dav’s chest ached. “Such a place might have saved Rahim’s life.”
The prince gave a tight nod. “I intend to establish a stronghold in enemy territory. I am gathering a force of Hesperines errant to serve there under my command.”
“You intend to remain in Tenebra permanently?” Dav asked, astonished.
“With heavy hearts,” said Queen Soteira, “we have given him our blessing.”
“First Prince,” Nora spoke up, “for that many Hesperines to reside in Tenebra permanently is unprecedented. You will live under constant threat of discovery and destruction.”
“Which is why I need a fortress, Firstgrace Daryaveshi,” the prince replied.
Nora’s eyes widened. “You want me to build you a castle?”
“It must pass for a Tenebran lord’s castra on the outside.” He looked around. “On the inside, it must feel like home.”
“And it must be built to withstand the Knights of Andragathos, war mages, necromancer assassins…” As Nora named off Hesperines’ many enemies, Dav could already see diagrams taking shape in her mind.
He rested a hand on her arm. “Are you sure you wish to return to Tenebra? Do you feel ready to face it?”
She bit her lip. “And what about you, Dav? Your research, your patients?”
Queen Soteira raised a brow. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed how restless he’s been in his work the past four years.”
“I need mind healers like you,” the prince said. “You know how to treat the wounds battle leaves on the mind—and you aren’t afraid to take up arms when necessary.”
Nora met Dav in their Grace Union. You never wanted to be a Hesperi ne errant.
That was before I met you.
She grasped his hand. “There are more Rahims in need of reinforcement in Tenebra, and more Noras in need of rescue.”
“I am ready to heal more difficult wounds, if you are ready to build something more dangerous.”
She smiled. “We can retire to do research and build palaces in a future century. We have forever.”
Together, they turned to face the prince and the adventures that awaited them.