Epilogue
Astraea
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so nervous,” I remarked, running my fingers along the edges of Nyte’s coat.
He looked … gods, there were no words for how impeccably he stood. His jacket was a deep jet-black, tailored to perfection, with accents of rich purple tracing the lapels and cuffs. Silver filigree adorned the edges, intricate patterns that added an air of regality to his attire.
Draped over his shoulders was a ceremonial cloak, matching my own in its deep, velvety purple, the fabric heavy with tradition. It flowed behind him like liquid dusk, its hem embroidered with threads of silver that formed elegant, swirling designs resembling constellations.
Perched upon his head was a simple yet striking crown—a polished silver band rising to a peak at the center like a blade reaching skyward. It rested seamlessly over his sleek, black hair, its simplicity a testament to understated power and grace.
He stood with quiet authority, his presence commanding without need for flourish, a figure of poise and purpose wrapped in the colors of royalty and shadow.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous,” he said.
Today Rainyte Azreal Ashfyre would officially be crowned king consort of Vesitire, and I its queen.
Nyte held my hand as we stood out of view from the balcony where life roared beyond, waiting for us.
He admired the ring he’d adorned my marital finger with nine months ago.
A proud eight-pointed silver star with a purple diamond center.
We waited to have our ceremony and join it for our coronation.
After the war, healing and rebuilding had been our priority.
Now … it was time to begin living in our peace.
I cupped his cheek, so taken by the stunning sight of him.
As the sun kissed its golden rays over his face, it transformed him.
The light danced across his features, warming the sharp angles and casting a soft glow over the deep pools of his eyes.
He was a harmony of light and dark, a paradox that made him seem untouchable and profoundly human all at once.
His nerves were because he wasn’t forced to hide in shadow anymore. He didn’t have a vicious name that masked the real person behind it.
Nyte was ready to show the world who he wanted to be.
“I love you,” I said. It wasn’t enough for what I felt for him, how proud I was of him, but I would say it every day for the rest of our lives.
Nyte’s eyes skimmed over every inch of me.
My hair was meticulously braided, each strand woven into intricate patterns to hold the weight of an elaborate crown.
The crown itself was a masterpiece—clear and purple diamonds catching the light like fragments of a shattered sunrise.
My gown was elegant black adorned with the same regal finesse in silver and purple detailed embroidery.
The sleeves were sheer and the neckline dipped low, exposing the powerful silver markings of the star-maiden over my skin.
“I love you, my Starlight. It is my honor to stand by your side in this world.”
He kissed me in promise.
Then our hands clasped as we faced the open balcony doors. His fingers tightened around mine with our first step toward those awaiting us, gathered in the city of Vesitire.
A smile broke on my face. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d suffer stage fright.”
His hand gave mine a purposeful squeeze in jest.
“Fear is a powerful thing to have to hide behind,” he said.
Nyte had led and commanded thousands in an army. He was no stranger to being the focus of attention, but he’d always worn a mask. Now … he was free. That vulnerability he embraced was what made Nyte as fragile as the rest of us.
We stepped into the midday sun, and the crowds erupted the moment they caught a glimpse of us. I’d sworn to everyone this morning that I wouldn’t cry, but I was already fighting back the prickling in my eyes.
Banners rippled through the warm air, proudly flying the new black-winged banner of the star-maiden. I waved, overwhelmed with joy seeing the flood of smiles and happiness pouring through the endless throng of people.
Nyte was rigid beside me, and I let go of his hand to slip it across his back. It worked to relax him some, but as he waved with me, I could hardly contain my laughter.
“Am I really that bad at this?” he asked, smiling so brightly I was taken by him.
“Kiss me,” I said.
“Are you trying to start a frenzy down there?”
I bit my lip and his eyes darkened. “Our love isn’t destruction anymore. It’s hope. I want the world to feel it too.”
Nyte’s hand slipped along my jaw, and he was right, that movement alone stirred the ground impossibly louder.
“There is no dawn that breaks as brilliantly as you,” he murmured, inching his mouth closer to mine.
“There’s no dusk that falls as peacefully as you,” I whispered before our kiss sealed.
As the dusk and the dawn. As the night and the stars. As the dark and the light. History would remember the two fragments of gods, opposite in every catastrophic and triumphant way, who defied fate to become one.
Nyte pulled back; his grin shone brighter than the brilliant sun.
“Do we really have to do this six more times?” he complained playfully.
After our celebration ball here in Vesitire, we’d be leaving on a coronation and wedding tour for the next few weeks. Visiting all the kingdoms and their reigning lords to gain their blessings for our union and reign.
Then we would go to Althenia, the land with the most to rebuild.
Without the High Celestial order, I’d stepped in, dividing my time between Vesitire and Althenia to rebuild after the war.
The celestials in Althenia were the most wary of me and Nyte, with many believing we’d killed all the High Celestials to take their thrones.
The province least shaken was Zephyr’s, as his son, Raider Luna, had taken over ruling with the close advisement of his council.
Auster’s land had the most infrastructure to rebuild still, but the people were thriving under Zadkiel’s leadership.
Notus and Aquilo also had children to take over their fathers’ places, but unlike Raider Luna and Zadkiel Nova, they were not as forthcoming with me.
Nyte and I were expecting to face resistance from them in some way or another.
It was a power struggle we were preparing for and not frightened by.
Our mission for peace was stronger than ever, and our pillars of allies grew every day.
After our appearance on the balcony, we barely got inside before I was torn away from Nyte when Rosalind, then Davina, then Lilith pummeled into me. We embraced in a chaotic heap of arms, laughing out of nothing more than the pure happiness spilling uncontrollably out of us.
When we released each other, I spied Nadia nearby as she’d decided against joining in the surge of affection. She didn’t wear a dress like the rest of us, opting for a more formal rendition of her usual pants and tunic. I didn’t think she planned to join us for the ball this evening.
“Heading out so soon?” I mused to her.
Nadia smirked. “A night of stuffy ball gowns and tasteless food sounds like an absolutely dire time.”
The food would be divine, but to a vampire … I supposed her palate would be seeking out blood instead.
“We’re going to Althenia,” Drystan cut in, coming over after speaking with Nyte and Zathrian.
“Why there?” I quizzed.
Drystan pulled the monocular telescope from his side, twisting it in his hand. “There’s so much unexplored about the ungoverned lands of Althenia. Who knows what secrets could be hidden in plain sight,” he said mischievously.
“Don’t get into any trouble,” I warned playfully.
Drystan’s twinkling eyes took that as a challenge.
The ball was as extravagant as I had braced for. Nyte and I barely got to dance with how often we were pulled aside to talk to lords and ladies and gushing citizens. The hope and joy sparking through the hall was worth the endless talking and slow pull of exhaustion.
Before the end of the dancing and feasting, Nyte stole me away as we managed to elude the guests and slip out of the ballroom. He took me up higher in the castle until we stepped outside and I found Eltanin, barely able to fit on the wall, waiting for us.
“Are we going somewhere?” I asked.
“Yes,” was all he provided.
Giddy to discover the surprise, I eagerly mounted Eltanin and he slipped in behind me.
After a few moments enjoying the embrace of falling dusk, I leaned over to discover we were flying over Althenia now.
A gasp left me at the prism of color that expanded below.
“Is this North Star?” I asked.
Nyte had told me about this place. It’s where the Mirror of Passage was. This is exactly where Nyte had arrived in my realm centuries ago, and that fact turned these grounds even more precious.
He led me inside the temple, and I followed like a ghost on a leash, with our hands joined. There was a sacred aura surrounding this temple, and I treaded lightly toward the colossal shard of mirror that pierced the land as if it had descended from the heavens.
“This is the last part of me I haven’t been able to share with you until now. A glimpse into the realm where I came from.”
Nyte reached a hand toward the mirror, and my heart lurched as though it might swallow him.
He paused, letting go of my hand to slip his arm around my waist. A promise that, should it try to take him from this realm, it would never take him from me.
My heart thundered as I watched him reach his fingers toward the mirror again. When he made contact, I gripped his jacket when it rippled as though it were made of liquid silver.
Then color started to flood as though a painting formed across the surface. Stroke by stroke, images came together in a breathtakingly vivid reel.
I saw red-peaked mountains rising sharply against a molten sky, their jagged summits kissed by the glow of sunlight.
Between them, phoenixes soared, their blazing forms streaking trails of flame like triumphant comets.
Each flap of their immense, fiery wings sent cascades of embers spiraling downward, illuminating the valleys below in a dance of light and shadow.
It was as if the mountains guarded a vast, commanding city, encircled by a massive circular wall, much like Vesitire’s though on a single level. The stone of its fortifications glowed faintly as if it had absorbed the fire of the phoenixes themselves over centuries.
At the city’s heart stood a castle unlike anything I had ever seen.
It wasn’t blackened stone nor cold in design like ours.
Instead, its structure seemed forged to embrace the sky and the creatures that ruled it.
Broad arches and towering spires gave it an open, regal air; its dominating courtyard was designed so the phoenixes could land with ease.
A massive phoenix emblem was painted in its center.
The castle seemed like a haven that welcomed the firebirds home from the endless skies they dominated, a place where power and grace intertwined in perfect harmony.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.
Tearing my eyes away from the stunning scenes unfolding, I reached my fingers across his neck, tugging his collar down until I could trace the points of the constellation he wore.
“Constellation phoenix,” I muttered to myself. “It makes sense now.”
The scene changed again, and I was drawn to see a couple standing there now. Their ears were pointed, but I couldn’t tell if they were vampire or fae.
The woman had gold eyes, not as bright as Nyte’s, but their likeness was uncanny, as were the golden tattoos peeking out from her crimson attire.
She wore a halo crown that rose behind her like the sun.
Her dress-like coat was a deep red, and the phoenix emblem I’d seen before adorned the pin at her shoulder.
She stood with a man who clearly adored her, holding her close.
He too wore fiery colors and a simple gold-band crown. Undeniably, they were royalty.
“My cousin,” Nyte said at last. The note of fondness he spoke with warmed me. “Faythe Ashfyre.”
“You met them during your sleep-curse?” I concluded.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to … go back?”
Nyte guided my chin away from the mirror to look at him. His eyes spoke of endless horizons, of battles fought and won, and of dreams yet to be realized. Nyte’s tender smile wasn’t just a curve of lips; it was a vow.
“Never. My place is right here with you. This is our perfect world, and that is my promise.”