Chapter 74
Iyana
Two weeks had passed since what the people were calling The Celestial War, and it was time for Iyana to go home.
Yrza had left directly after the wedding, claiming she’d been away from the gods’ realm for too long.
Kaz and Zahar stayed in Athusia for a few more days to rest and recuperate, and allow their army to do the same. Then they, too, left to return to Nyr.
At first, it was easy to stay within the castle now that Uther and his cronies were gone.
Iyana and Emmeric were put up in a lavish suite where they spent most of their time lounging in bed or in the large bathing tub.
Or they were worshipping each other’s bodies the way they’d never had time to before.
Occasionally, they would help Zane and Talon with official business, or Iyana would visit the healer university to aid in the treatment of those injured in battle.
But, after some time, her mind began to wander back to her home. Imothia had been burned to the ground, but everyone had survived, thanks to Scuti. His loss had been painful to learn of as well, but Iyana found comfort knowing he’d be with his astalle again.
She wanted to return to help rebuild their village.
Athusia wasn’t home, and neither was Istoria.
Despite her newfound relation to Queen Camilia, Iyana felt out of place within a castle or a palace.
She’d much rather be in her little hut, mixing potions and salves to help her people.
Once she realized this, she sent a letter to Camilia, telling her she was not interested in taking the throne.
Her heart had been in her throat the entire time she waited for a reply, but she hadn’t needed to worry—Camilia insisted it was always going to be her choice, and if she changed her mind to let her know.
Soon, homesickness overwhelmed her, but she was hesitant to bring it up to Emmeric.
Athusia was his home. His best friend—his brother—would be staying, and Iyana felt guilty for taking him away from someone he loved deeply.
One evening, when they were tucked in bed together, Emmeric took a deep breath.
“Mouse, it’s okay if you want to go home.
” Iyana had looked up at him with tears in her eyes, and he smiled down at her.
“I’ve been feeling how much you want to return, through the bond, and I also know you haven’t brought it up because you want me to be able to stay in my home.
But, Iyana”—he ran his finger across her cheekbone—“you’re my home. I need nothing else.”
So they found themselves readying a horse a few days after that conversation. Zane and Talon stood with them in the stables, holding hands. Iyana was thrilled for them; that they had found each other and committed to spending their lives together.
“You’re sure you won’t stay?” Talon asked.
Iyana shook her head. “I’m a village girl at heart, Tal. I don’t belong here.”
“And where she goes, I go,” Emmeric added.
“We’ll visit as often as we can, though,” Iyana said. “And you’re always welcome in Imothia. I’m sure you’ll be doing more diplomatic trips to Istoria, so we can meet there as well.”
Talon wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you so much, Smalls,” he whispered against her hair.
“I’ll miss you too, Tal.”
Then it was Zane’s turn for a hug. “Stay out of trouble,” he said.
Iyana grinned. “I’ll try.”
Emmeric and Talon embraced for a long time. Zane and Iyana watched them, letting them say goodbye for as long as they needed. Emmeric’s emotions through the bond were a swirl of bittersweet flavors—sadness at leaving and excitement for a new adventure.
Em lifted her onto the horse, even though Iyana was fully capable of doing it herself, and he swung up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he grabbed the reins and kicked the horse’s flanks. And, that easily, they were leaving Athusia and their friends.
They took their time. Emmeric told her stories of growing up in Athusa and his time in the army as they wandered through the forests, which were burgeoning into life with the arrival of spring. When they reached Huton, they decided to stay for two nights, for no other reason than that they could.
Foregoing the Aula Pass, they took the ferry across the Sea of Stars. Iyana would be pleased if she never had to set foot on the Pass again, and she thanked the gods that the ferry was an option.
That night on the ferry, as the water gently rocked them, Iyana lay on top of Emmeric’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.
She drew circles into his skin and sighed contentedly.
A year before, she never would have believed that this would be her life.
Nine hells, she wouldn’t have believed that she could meet the love of her life, and he was an Athusan, at that.
“I love you,” she whispered, placing a kiss on his chest.
Emmeric’s fingers brushed through her hair lazily. “When will you let me make you mine, my love?”
She frowned up at him. “I already am yours, Em. Body and soul.”
Chuckling, he kissed the tip of her nose. “I meant legally.”
“Oh.” Iyana blushed. “Once we get back to Imothia, I guess whenever you want.”
“So…right away?” Emmeric pulled her closer to his body, his hand reaching underneath her shirt to tease the skin on her back.
“If you’d like. Em, can—” Iyana paused. “Most of the women in Istora don’t take their husband’s surname, instead keeping their own.”
“That’s fine, Mouse. Whatever you want—”
“No, what I mean is,” Iyana interrupted, “can I take your surname? I don’t really feel connected to the name Astalle anymore.”
Emmeric’s entire body stilled, and it seemed like he stopped breathing. Iyana looked up into his face. His blue eyes were sparking with an unabashed heat. The hand around her back tightened, and his other trailed down her bare thigh, making her shiver.
“My beautiful wife,” he muttered. “I would love nothing more than to call you Iyana Sullane.” Emmeric slanted his lips over hers and pushed her back into the mattress, claiming her mouth with his teeth and his tongue.
As he nipped across her jaw and down her neck, Iyana couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.
Nervousness jittered through Iyana as they approached Imothia. The last time they had made this journey, she had arrived to find her home burned to ash. What would she find upon her homecoming this time?
“There’s something I always wanted to know,” Emmeric said, taking her mind off her nerves.
“What is it?”
“The man your grandmother mentioned, the one with the name that didn’t start with an I. Kelvin? Who was he?”
Iyana barked a laugh and, reaching behind her, patted him on the cheek. “Oh, my love, there never was a Kelvin.”
“What?” he asked, bewildered.
“Mata Imo was messing with you. She made him up, right there on the spot. I hate to break it to you but the enigmatic Kelvin does not exist.”
Emmeric huffed in agitation, but she felt his amusement trickling through their bond. It lightened her enough that she was able to enjoy the rest of the ride to Imothia.
A shuddering exhale left her lungs when her village finally shimmered into existence.
It was there. Huts had been rebuilt sturdier than before, and there were people moving throughout with smiles on their faces.
A cry arose when they were finally spotted, and a herd of children soon surrounded them.
Emmeric soothed the horse, so that nobody was trampled.
All the children were talking at once, reaching for her.
“Mata Iyana, you came back!”
“Did you bring me anything, Mata Iyana?”
“Is it true you sent the stars back to the sky, Mata Iyana?”
Mata Iyana.
Simultaneously, she began laughing and crying. She was so happy to be home. So happy to be surrounded by these people who knew her and loved her, and she was honored that they wanted to bestow the title of Mata upon her.
Iyana slid off the horse and allowed the children to guide her back to the village.
I’ll take care of the horse, Emmeric said into her mind. Go be with your people. She let her gratitude flow freely back to him.
Imelda was waiting for her, baby Ian on her hip and a broad smile on her face. Iyana hugged them both, then placed a kiss on Ian’s head. The babe rewarded her with a gummy grin.
“Welcome home, Mata Iyana.”
Looking around, Iyana gawped at everything they’d accomplished in her absence since Hadar destroyed their home. “How did you build all of this so quickly?”
Imelda followed her gaze. “The queen sent us supplies and carpenters to help us. Something about aiding her great-niece?” She raised a brow.
“I’ll fill you in on everything later,” Iyana said. A warmth filled her chest, letting her know Emmeric was near. “Promise.”
Em was walking towards her, flanked by the brothers Ialo and Iote. Her Kanaliza sighed and gazed towards the heavens. Iyana smiled at the sight. He sensed her amusement and, glancing down at her, gave her a wink.
“Thank you, Sir Emmeric,” Ialo chirped.
“You don’t have to—” Emmeric started, but the teenagers were already racing away.
“What are they thanking you for?” Iyana asked as Emmeric wound his arm around her waist. Imelda seemed to notice the contact, and both her brows raised this time. Later, Iyana mouthed.
“I promised to teach them how to wield a sword,” Emmeric said.
Iyana and Imelda laughed. “You’ll never be rid of them, now,” Imelda said. “Come, both of you. I have something to show you.”
“Come along, Sir Emmeric,” Iyana said, smirking up at him.
You’re never going to let that go, are you? he asked.
Never.
Emmeric rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide his smile or the affection and love flowing through their bond. Winding through the village, they followed Imelda to the outskirts near where her old hut was.
Standing where the burnt remains of her home were not that long ago was a new, much larger hut. Iyana’s breath stilled in her lungs.
“Imelda,” she whispered. “Is this for me?”
“Of course it is, Mata Iyana. Welcome home.” She placed a kiss on Iyana’s cheek, then walked away, leaving Iyana and Emmeric alone.
A calloused thumb wiped a tear off of her face.
Iyana hadn’t even realized she was crying.
Emmeric swept her up into his arms, and she squeaked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
This beautiful man, with his blue eyes—those blue eyes that meant home—gazed upon her with all the love he was capable of.
“Let’s go see our new home,” Emmeric said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. Then he carried her across the threshold.
Later that night, Emmeric rested soundly next to her, but sleep eluded Iyana. She carefully extracted herself from Em’s arms and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. Stepping outside, she sat on the stoop in front of her new hut and stared up at the sky.
The stars shimmered against the inky black night. Iyana catalogued all the constellations.
The three leading families—Ursa, Scorpius, and Draco.
She was able to identify Talitha, Antares, and Eltanin.
They had all made it through the war. Iyana had heard reports that once they’d realized some of their magic had been stolen, they had retreated to the back of the forces, allowing others to fight and die for them.
Centaurus was notably missing two stars. Rigil and Hadar, both killed by her hand.
The Scutum constellation had always been smaller, and now, with Scuti gone, it was practically non-existent. Iyana only knew where it was because of its proximity to Aquila.
Tarazed and Okab shone brightly. Iyana had a vague memory of Okab thanking her within her mind after she had succeeded, but she didn’t know if that had actually happened or was a figment of her imagination.
She’d like to think it was real. There was a dark hole where the brightest star of the constellation should have been.
Altair’s loss hit her the hardest—even now.
Even after everything he had done to her, Iyana thought he had been trying to do right by her in the end.
He was trying to redeem himself. He’d given his life to save hers.
She hoped he was granted entrance to the Everlands, but she had faith that even if he was in the nine hells, he would be able to earn his forgiveness from the gods.
The ouroboros necklace warmed against her skin, like Altair knew she was thinking about him. Her fingers touched the outline of the snake.
“Mouse?” a sleepy voice behind her asked. “Are you okay?”
Turning, Iyana saw a deliciously sleep-tousled Emmeric, his hair sticking out at all angles. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”
“About Altair?” She nodded, and he sat next to her, intertwining their fingers together. Iyana rested her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence for a while, the heavens rotating above them until the horizon began to turn pink with the coming dawn.
Iyana sighed. She was tired, and although she wasn’t nervous about causing the stars to fall again—she was too in control of her magic now to let that happen—it was still possible that it could happen in the future once she was gone.
Zane had promised to write an anthology as a warning to all the future Aztias and Kanalizas.
They did not need history to repeat itself. Again.
Gathering all of her magic to her chest, Iyana channeled it into the ouroboros charm.
A silver glow emanated from the necklace before dimming and going out.
Iyana kept enough magic within her chest to keep the bond between her and Emmeric present, but there was no need to have that much within her anymore.
Yet, it would still be nearby should she need it.
Emmeric watched her do it all without a word.
They sat together outside their home, hand in hand, as the sun rose on a brand-new world, and they watched the stars wink out one by one.