Thirty-Two
CHAPTER
It was surreal to be back here. I really didn’t think that I would ever see this place again after everything that happened. I really thought the end of the line would be in the Realm of Clouds. Yet somehow, despite all odds, we were back.
We were home.
Leaning forward, my arms rested against the moonstone railing, tipping my chin toward the sky and the vast expanse of twinkling lights above. I took a deep breath, feeling the slight hum of energy within the cosmos and the shimmering moonstones all around me.
Nights in the Realm of Stars had always been my favorite.
The flora and fauna were bioluminescent, glowing brightly beneath the starry night sky.
Dazzling lights from across the Realm made late nights feel less lonely.
The buildings shimmered and the mountains were breathtaking with the way they sparkled in the far off distance.
I would miss this place.
I really would.
Deus told me I knew what I had to do to win this battle. I didn’t understand at the time, but I did now. It wasn’t until I was admiring the stars above that I remembered a story my mother once told me.
One had to make the ultimate sacrifice. The Gods were capable of granting wishes, but there was always a price to pay. An eye for an eye. One life for another. The greater the gift, the bigger the cost.
If that was true, then the Gods would grant my wish, wouldn’t they?
The Gods could grant my wish. My wish to save them.
My wish to right my wrongs. I was the reason that everything fell apart the way it had.
Neil and Gelia and everyone else were right.
I never should have been here in the first place.
The Gods could bring peace to the Realms by containing Neil and rebuilding the Wall.
Or possibly… turning back time. All I had to do was pay the price.
I was willing to do it. Better me than any of them. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing anyone else. If I could protect them by sacrificing myself, then so be it.
I could hear the rest of the Court of Stars laughing just inside, all sitting together at the dining table.
Acheron was here, too, laughing away with his arm looped around Mateo.
It was sweet, seeing them openly affectionate toward one another without having to hide it.
I wished it could always be that way for them.
I wished they could always be that happy.
Narcissa was pouting now that she had finally finished scolding the boys for what had happened.
I caught a glimpse of her hugging Viotto tightly around the neck.
They embraced one another for a few moments, hesitant to pull away.
Celeste and Akira were just happy that we were okay.
Viotto hadn’t said much since we returned.
I assumed it was because of what happened with Nevan.
Mateo seemed to be partially in his head about it as well.
Mateo was the closest to Nevan, if I was remembering correctly. Besides Zathrian, of course.
None of us foresaw him being a traitor. At least I sure didn’t. He grew up with Zathrian and, based on what I knew, I thought they were all rather close.
I was wrong.
Not that it mattered anymore. What was done was done and he was dead and gone. There was nothing more we could do. He had already sealed his fate. Nevan rested with the rest of the souls in the Realm of the Passed. Peace be with them.
There had to have been a reason for what he did.
I didn’t think he would have done what he did without one.
Still, it felt odd not having him here with the rest of us.
His seat was empty and untouched. Warmth and laughter filled that room, with the various celestial decor, the shimmering lights that hung from the ceiling, and the array of food spread across the table. And my Mate.
Zathrian.
Out of all the people I could’ve been Mates with, it just had to be him.
Just my luck, really.
Always with the High Lords with their nice hair and their cocky smiles and their damn freckles.
Ridiculous.
He was already looking at me when I turned to him, and I quickly diverted my eyes back to the starry night sky above me.
How long has he been sitting there staring at me like that? I thought.
Longer than you realize, Airhead. Wide eyed, I remembered that the Mate Bond went both ways. My heart skipped a beat, unsure if Zathrian knew what I was planning to do.
My thoughts shifted to him, sensing the coy expression on his lips without even having to look over my shoulder at him.
I tightened my grip on the moonstone rail of the balcony as Zathrian came up behind me, his hand sliding to the small of my back.
His fingers caressed my bare skin with how low the cut of my dress was.
My dress was deep blue and shimmery silver, with detailed celestial embroidery.
One that matched the aesthetics of the Court of Stars.
It was fitting. Silver always complimented my features more than gold ever had.
I tried to hide the smile that crept upon my lips. His hands snaked around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. “What are you doing out here all alone?” he asked. “You feel cold. You should come inside and eat something, rest a little. You’re allowed to rest, Aerilyn.”
I leaned my head against his.
His voice was so sweet. I didn’t know if I was more drawn to him because of what we had been through together or if it was because of our Bond. Maybe it was a bit of both.
The concept was still so foreign to me. He was my Mate. Bound to me by magic for the rest of eternity and thereafter. Made for one another. Destined to be together. Bound by an interwoven fate the Gods themselves created.
I don’t want to leave you.
“Maybe in a little bit,” I whispered, wanting to be in there with the rest of our friends but wanting to be out here with Zathrian more. To enjoy the serendipity of our surroundings and the careless whispers we shared.
Zathrian’s hands slid to my arms, gently rubbing them up and down to warm me.
“Orrrr maybe now.” He hugged me again, pulling his arms around the front of me. “There’s Shepherd’s pie in there…”
I perked up at those words.
“Shepherd’s pie?” I squeaked, unable to remember the last time I had the privilege of indulging myself with such a rich and delicious meal.
Zathrian nodded with a smirk on his face. “I guess if you don’t want it, I will have to eat it all by myself, so it doesn’t go to waste, since it is fresh and all…”
I scrunched my nose. He really was something else. If that Shepherd’s pie was anyone’s, it was mine. Zathrian did not protest when I pushed myself away from him to join the others at the table.
“Aerilyn!” Mateo stood and pulled me to him and leaned his head into my shoulder. A giggle left my lips as I lifted my arms, reciprocating the embrace.
“Hey! Hey, that is mine! Shoo!” I leaned forward, swatting Acheron’s hands away from the Shepherd’s pie. He sat on the other side of Mateo.
“Hey, there’s more than enough for us to share!” Acheron retorted.
Mateo laughed.
And so did the rest of the table.
There was an open seat besides me, one that Zathrian claimed as his.
His hand slid to the small of my back. Digging my fork into my Shepherd’s pie, Zathrian smiled at me.
My eyes flickered between his and his lips as I shoveled a plentiful scoop into my mouth, scraping the silver of my fork between my teeth.
Zathrian leaned in closer, his lips grazing my ear, and I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. The commotion of the dining room came to an abrupt stop. My vision tunneled, my focus entirely on him and him alone.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.
I wish I was. I shook my head as his teeth nibbled at my ear.
But you are. Undoubtedly the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes upon.
“You don’t mean that,” I said out loud, but softly, so the others wouldn’t hear.
“Oh, but I do.” His lips met my neck just below my ear, planting the faintest of kisses. Lifting his chin, he planted a feathery kiss against the side of my head.
I took another bite of my Shepherd’s pie.
Ask for the moon, and I’ll give you the stars, too.
Mmmm.
We’re Mates, Aerilyn.
I know that.
Do you?
I looked down at my half-eaten Shepherd’s pie.
You will learn to love me. It’s written in the stars above.
I don’t doubt you.
He nodded, and the commotion and chaos of the room flooded my senses once more.
Leaning in, my lips almost met his, close enough that I could almost taste the lingering flavor of brown sugar and cocoa powder.
Mateo interrupted our moment, playing with shrimp on his fingertips as if they were finger puppets, catching me off guard with his cheekiness.
I squeaked, nearly jumping out of my own skin.
Everyone burst out in laughter, even Zathrian, and I did, too.
I’d cherish this night forever.