Epilogue
Old Cove was the last stop for Riella and Jarin before they were to board the Pandora with Berolt and Drue and the rest of the new Dark Tide Clan.
The first stop had been Klatos, to return Neve to her Starlight Gardens cohort. The mages greeted her rather indifferently, Riella thought, considering the danger the young sorceress had been in. Before saying goodbye, Riella and Neve swore allegiance to each other, should either of them ever need help.
Next, they traveled leagues inland to the Emerald Mountains, where Seraphine lived. The elf was welcomed home with warmth and relief. Patrols of elves had been searching for her fruitlessly, Polinth having concealed Seraphine with sorcery.
Riella then insisted they find Yvette, who was studying Herbalism and Healing at an academy in the countryside. She was bemused to meet Riella again. Polinth had come to the academy to question her about the map’s whereabouts, but she’d been canny enough to reveal nothing. Yvette had a new healthy glow, not unlike Seraphine. She spent her days learning from books and foraging for medicinal plants and tending to the infirm.
And finally, Riella and Jarin arrived at Old Cove, in the far northern reaches of Zermes.
The graveyard was easy to find. It sat atop a hill in the seaside hamlet, birch trees standing guard over the smattering of headstones. The leaves of the trees were turning orange, as summer gave way to the first breaths of autumn.
Riella and Jarin dismounted their horses as they approached the gates of the little cemetery, walking the rest of the way on foot. His parents’ grave was in the center. The headstone was hewn from white marble, brand new and elegant, naming Malakai and Levissina.
One grave was covered in thick velvety grass, and the other was piled high with fresh soil.
Jarin stood at the foot of the grave, his arm around Riella.
“Davron and Amelie brought her body here,” he said. “I can’t think why they’d do that, after everything.”
“Perhaps simply because they are decent people.”
“Then I pray they stay far away from Klatos and the throne, for their sakes.” He heaved a sigh. “I’m afraid death would await them.”
“But Davron is the rightful heir. I can’t see how anyone could stop him, should he wish to return.”
“The Garstangs are shrewd and cruel and power-hungry. They would not relinquish their newfound hold on Zermes easily.”
“I don’t know.” Riella leaned her head against Jarin’s shoulder, thinking of Polinth. “The shrewd and cruel and power-hungry have a way of plunging to their deaths.”
“I don’t believe I have to worry about Davron telling the Garstangs the location of my mother’s grave, at least. The Nikolaous and Garstangs are no friends to each other. My parents can finally rest, together.”
He and Riella lapsed into silence, gazing at the headstone. Overhead, a pure white dove arced in the blue sky. The breeze carried the sweet, musky scent of roses, which was impossible, because none existed nearby.
As the afternoon grew longer, the pair descended the grassy hill to the cove. The pale yellow sand was warm, and the turquoise water lapped gently at the shore. Berolt and the rest of the crew would arrive at dusk to collect Riella and Jarin.
Until then, they reclined together on the private beach, Jarin running his hand up Riella’s lightly tanned leg.
“I’m looking forward to being on the water,” said Riella.
“Oh, aye. Me too. And what fun it will be, to rob and plunder slavers.”
“Especially now that we can Send and breathe underwater. They won’t know what hit them.”
“I still can’t believe you convinced your siren friends to create an alliance with us against the slavers.”
“Are you kidding? They can hardly wait to wreck ships. Nor can I, truth be told. I’m so grateful the Sea Witch restored my full strength.”
Jarin sighed. “She could’ve given me some.”
“You’re plenty strong already. And besides,” said Riella with a cheeky grin. “Now I can overpower you whenever I like.”
She swung her leg over Jarin and straddled him, pinning his wrists over his head. Her name adorned one of his biceps, and her portrait covered the other. The tattoo artist had taken great care to ink an accurate depiction.
“No complaints here. I’m all yours, evermore.”
“Jarin.”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
His breath caught. She’d never said those words to him. Although she’d felt them for some time, she wanted to be sure she knew exactly what they meant before expressing them. She wanted to understand the complexity and depth and utter sweetness that was love. Now, she did, and it was Jarin who’d shown her.
An ancient hurt in his eyes melted away, like ice after a long winter. Waves crashed on the beach and the sun warmed her back. She leaned forward, her hair falling around his face, and kissed him.
Areyou ready for the grand finale?
The sorceress Neve struggles to evade a ruthless assassin. She doesn’t know why there’s a bounty on her head, but when she finds out, both her life and the course of the Zermes kingdom will change forever.