Chapter 41 #3
“He is. I have too much to do here at the moment, but eventually, yes. The other kingdoms have already written, but I want to know what to expect. Need to know what their kingdoms are like. Theo and Cynthia will join Soren on his journey to meet with the other royal advisors. Soren will prepare my visit with each kingdom and gather intel while Theo and Cynthia gather intel of their own. See which kingdom lies, who we can trust. See what it is really like out there.”
Xavier turned toward Theo, concern in his eyes, but Theo only shrugged. “I have my own agenda, of course,” he said, smirking, and then sighed. “As it turns out, Dedra and I aren’t actually from here.”
A strange noise left Xavier, but Theo continued, “We aren’t sure which kingdom, but our memories as children came back when the curse lifted and, well… it turns out our parents didn’t die in a fire after all. Our parents had sent us to stay with a friend when the curse happened.”
Dedra stepped to his side, smiling sadly at us in confirmation. Cynthia squeezed my arm slightly at seeing the pain in his eyes, and I squeezed her hand back in reassurance.
“And you aren’t going, Dedra?” Xavier asked curiously, and I wondered the same.
“I’ll be here in case they come searching for us instead,” she said, shrugging, her eyes swirling with deep longing emotion. “Besides, with Velra now merged with Nexia, Jaxon can use all the help he can get here.”
My brows shot up. “Velra is what?”
Theo chuckled. “We can tell you all about it, princess, but can we at least do it with some sandwiches? I'm starting to get hungry.”
Dedra punched him in the shoulder and Theo feigned being hurt.
“Yes, again, as I said we—” Julian started, and we all, as one, interrupted him.
“Are on a schedule.”
Julian’s cheeks turned bright red, and Theo wrapped an arm around him and tugged him toward a path I assumed led down toward the castle. I stared after them and was surprised when Xavier’s mouth suddenly crashed against mine.
I smiled against his lips, and he pulled me into his chest as Cynthia screamed and pushed away from me. “Brute!” Laughing, I saw Xavier flip her off, and Cynthia grinned as she followed after the others who were already following Theo and Julian down the path.
Jaxon was the only one who lingered, a content but sad smile on his lips as he watched us. I glanced over at him, and he stared back at me intently.
Nexia was his now.
This fate was far from what I ever imagined, and I knew he felt the same.
The fate of an entire kingdom now rested on his shoulders, and this wasn’t the end for him, for them.
There was too much unknown out there in the world, but I was glad Xavier and I would get to witness it and hopefully still help if needed.
Jaxon would have to navigate this new world now alone.
Only, I guess he wasn’t alone anymore, was he?
He had Aria and the others, and it might be wishful thinking but I felt in my soul that today wouldn’t be the last day we saw him.
“Unless you want me to throw you off this cliff, I suggest you stop eyeing my mate like that,” Xavier growled, and I hit him in the arm as he smirked, his mouth crashing back onto mine again in another breathtaking kiss.
“I used to do a lot more than eye your mate, brother,” Jaxon said, flashing his teeth, and Xavier pulled away from me, his eyes widening in surprise as my mouth opened on a gasp, a barking laugh leaving me as Xavier disappeared from my arms.
Xavier shadowed in front of his brother, tackling him to the ground, and Jaxon’s taunts were cut off as he laughed heartily.
They rolled, fighting and punching one another in the grass like they were children and I couldn’t help but beam toward them.
The others paused again, watching their former and current king wrestle on the cliffside, laughing and placing bets.
An overwhelming feeling of belonging crashed over me and I had to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
No matter what the future held, I knew it wouldn't be easy, and I was grateful for this gift.
It wasn't just a chance to say goodbye, but an opportunity to truly live.
To have a single day, a single memory, where I could just be myself.
Mortal, unburdened, free. I wanted to cherish every moment of today, to make the most of it, before our next chapter began.
A flash of light burned behind my eyes, and I sucked in a breath as golden threads shot out in every direction. My gaze skimmed over my friends, over Jaxon and Xavier. And I stared in awe at what I was seeing, feeling, hearing.
Their brawl stopped, and Xavier rolled to his feet, turning toward me sharply. His expression told me he was seeing the same thing, and we stared at each other, watching as multiple lifetimes flashed in our minds.
We saw each and every one of their threads, their lives, and I met Xavier’s eye again, both of us grinning as Jaxon looked between us in confusion.
“Everything alright?”
Xavier turned back toward Jaxon, a small chuckle leaving him as he stared at his brother, tears shimmering in his emerald gaze.
“Yeah, Jaxon. I really think it will be.”