145. Violette
VIOLETTE
“Do you think it’s enough?” Levi, Lazarus, and Azrael look around the space that is the new storefront to my matchmaking business.
Flora of every variety, ancient tomes—and some newer ones—along with flueratheurgic potions of my own making line the walls.
One of which has a gilded plaque dedicated to Thessaly that reads, “To Thessaly, the most beautiful and gifted flueratheurge in all the realms. ‘If only I’d had a cock.’”
I wept engraving those words, all of which he’d once spoken to me.
Scarcely an inch of empty space is to be found in my store. “Darling, if you were to add any more, someone might confuse you with a hoarder.”
As if to test this theory, a shadow fills the stained glass door. Levi steps forward to open it, and my heart gives an excited leap at the commotion I can hear beyond it—a crowd.
Awaiting my services.
In the doorway stands a delivery woman holding the largest vase of flowers I have ever seen. “I have a delivery for Violette Lark-Graves?”
Levi signs a digital pad before thanking her and taking the flowers.
Beyond them, I can spy the line of humans trailing from the roped off entrance, all the way around the block and out of sight.
Initially, I’d been apprehensive considering we’d all have to wear a constant glamour, and the fact that my magic is an integral part of my services, but now, a certain feeling of rightness settles over me.
Of kismet.
I also opened a location in Ourinessa—which is now fully healed, and no longer leaking souls.
Azrael gently swats away the roaming, hungry vine that creeps over his shoulder in search of sustenance.
Oops. I glamour it as well.
He chuckles. “Well, Persephone would certainly approve.”
After retrieving Azrael from them, Mors and Persephone quickly became some of our closest friends. Something that, if you had asked me a year ago, would have only seemed slightly more unlikely than me actually agreeing to live part-time in Terrenea.
Among humans.
Neighbors with Winnow.
Best friends with Winnow.
Absentee Monarch of Sinsól.
Joyously and passionately mated to three soulbound.
How very swiftly and dramatically life can change.
Levi plucks a note from the gargantuan bouquet—the most exquisite display of dark and otherworldly blooms—and passes it to me. I open the black envelope. Silver ink decorates the fine cardstock.
Violette–
Congratulations on the new storefront, and to all your coming success. Tell Levi to bring some more honey tonight at dinner. See you soon.
– Astor
Already knowing who it’s from, Levi’s grin matches my own when I look up from the note and return the envelope to the tiny gold trident in the bouquet.
“Astor?”
I nod. “Always so thoughtful.”
Affection softens Levi’s features as he gives a soft grunt of affirmation.
I was beyond relieved when he and Astor made amends not long after their confrontation.
Within weeks, Jeriko began working with Astor so that he could finally retire.
He then purchased a neighboring parcel of land.
By parcel, I mean a cool 4000 acres of mountains and forest—he said he plans to do absolutely nothing with it but just let the land and animals be.
As if I didn’t already respect the male enough after everything he did to love and support Levi in his time of greatest need. Despite the catalysts that drew them together.
Levi moves a few plants around to make room for the bouquet just as a feathery-soft voice tinkles in the distance, and I turn to spot a beloved head of pink hair among the crowd.
I can’t help but chuckle as I watch Winnow—apologizing profusely the entire way—politely squeeze her way to the front of the queue with Gideon in tow.
Lazarus opens the door to let them in. The moment Winnow’s eyes meet mine, a bright grin splits her face and she squeals, rushing towards me.
Her exuberance is contagious. I might even take a tiny leap towards her.
We throw our arms around each other, and she squeezes me with such fervor, she lifts me off the ground.
Her voice is thick with emotion as she murmurs in my ear. “Gods, I am so proud of you.”
When my feet return to the ground and our arms return to our sides, her eyes are wet. She swipes at the corners, careful not to smudge her makeup. Nervous butterflies take flight in my stomach. “Thank you for making it all possible.”
She huffs a watery laugh. “Um... I’m pretty sure that was all you.”
The backs of my eyes burn with emotion even as I chuckle through an internal wince, recalling how—out of spite—I drugged Winnow with one of my elixirs, and unceremoniously dumped her body in the woods of Gideon’s property, which is what ultimately led to...
All of this.
I’ve yet to meet Kairos, the god of opportune moments, chance, and life-altering events, but... truly, I stand in awe.
Gideon, having already greeted my three males—just a few of his best friends—stands beside them. A row of smiling encouragement.
Levi, standing nearest to me, slides a hand over my shoulder and bends to press a kiss to the top of my head. “Ready, mi rovina?”
Winnow’s grin widens.
I nod, weaving my fingers through his giving it a squeeze.
With my family at my side...
“Yes.”