Epilogue
Vesper
Two months later…
Outside the mansion, torches cast a gentle glow. It wasn’t the expected orange warmth of fire, but cool blue flames that danced as we passed. I couldn't resist reaching out. The flickering light enveloped my fingertips with a gentle chill rather than a burn.
Mom and I strolled through the garden, bathed in the ethereal glow of blue and purple light.
The torches lined our path perfectly, illuminating each cobblestone beneath our feet.
I smiled at the sight of our flowers—the ones Benedict, Oryx and I had carefully planted months ago—now in full, magnificent bloom.
I wrapped my arm around mom’s as we passed by the quickly growing trees that grew fruit in the courtyard. Laughter was heard from inside, even squeals of excitement.
It was a far cry from the last party that had taken place here months ago.
"That smile is suspicious," Mom said, jabbing an elbow into my ribs. Her head barely reached my shoulder as we turned the corner together. I quickened my pace, eager to show her the forgotten place I'd rediscovered—a spot guaranteed to bring out her laughter.
“Just thinking, how the last party ended up in disaster. Now this one is going to be the talk of the territories for years.”
Mom hummed, her grip tightening on my arm.
"These gatherings will become commonplace, mark my words.
Veylor's already talking about making it an annual affair.
And who knows? The custom might spread to the outer territories.
" She tilted her head back, eyes rolling skyward.
"This realm stretches far beyond what you've seen. "
“How do you know?”
Mom nodded. “Sylvaine has shown me maps. This world is just as big as Earth. This is just a small portion, but it isn’t as over populated as earth. Most of the blue bloods are gone and hopefully we can all live a simple life now.”
I laughed at that notion. "Simple" hardly described our lives with mates who insisted on adorning us in silks and jewels whenever possible.
Mom and I wore our finery only for occasions like tonight.
Most days found us in the town markets alongside our partners, bartering with local craftspeople and organizing labor for the estate.
We'd become quite the economic force in these parts, though I doubted anyone would call our existence "simple. "
Veylor wanted to create more vessels like Oryx, give souls that deserve another chance…a chance. Find their mates by their heart rather than by looks or gold. A rehabilitation slash sanctuary.
Oryx and I were on board with it.
We reached the far corner of the courtyard, where nature had reclaimed its territory. Mom's brow furrowed as I moved ahead, parting the curtain of tangled vines with both hands to reveal what lay hidden behind.
Mom crossed her arms and stared at the rounded stone. “What is this?”
I snorted and giggled. “When Oryx first learned to read my memories, he saw me crying over your grave. He thought I was worshiping a rock, or had some fetish.”
Mom’s mouth fell open.
“He erected this rock and gave me flowers as he has seen me put by your grave so I could do it here at the estate and not have to worry about me running away.”
Mom stared at the stone and back to me. “I don’t know if I should be amused or troubled. He really thought you worshiped a rock?”
“I’m not sure what he thought.”
We both smiled until we were in a fit of giggles.
“You must know that the males here are different from human men. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sylvaine has always been more possessive than Thackery, he was ready to share while Sylvaine found me first and was confused and territorial of me.
Then of course he had mixed feelings about Thackery. ”
Mom’s cheeks reddened as she talked. The past few months she had talked little about their relationship, she was more interested in talking about me and how I was doing. How I had managed to be okay, if the decision to send me away was the right one.
At first I was angry, I didn’t show it though because I was happy that she was back with me now.
Overall, what decision was the right one?
No one would ever know. If mom told me she had cancer and was put to sleep by some cat, I wouldn’t have believed her.
There was a chance she would have never woken up and I would have never left her side and well, never found where I was meant to be.
Things worked out in the end. It just took time.
Now they were a healthy triad, getting to know each other and me. They would be returning to the mountains in the next few days, apparently to work on giving me a new sibling.
Father was ecstatic about that one.
“Ladies! Ladies!” A familiar voice came running down the cobblestone pathway. We didn’t flinch. Instead we readied ourselves as he came around the corner.
A flash of purple hair appeared around the corner, followed by Benedict's flushed face, his pink eyes wide with urgency.
Despite having raced through the densest part of the courtyard, not a speck of dust marred his impeccable household manager's uniform as he skidded to a halt before us, catching his breath.
Benedict stood up and straightened his tux. This new vessel bore little resemblance to his previous one—the lean frame and delicate features gave him an almost ethereal quality I hadn't associated with him before.
“Your mates are requesting your presence,” he panted. “May I escort you both back to the main hall?”
Benedict stood awkwardly in front of us, ready for a rejection.
Veylor and Oryx weren’t especially happy when I requested that Benedict be brought back from the Under Shadows.
He had betrayed us in their eyes. However, I thought Benedict deserved another chance.
His mate was still waiting and my father could be persuasive and hide information quite well as Mom has said.
Veylor put the pieces of Benedict’s new vessel together, I sewed him up and Benedict was given a less than impressive penis until he proved himself worthy again.
Father did reveal who Benedict’s mate was and he was to meet her tonight so that was why he was extra nervous.
Penis size wasn't the issue here, though. Veylor had already crafted a replacement that he would attach later tonight since he has been, ‘good.” I wasn't permitted to perform such procedures on anyone except Oryx—should the need ever arise.
Not that I cared to touch anyone else…
“Yes, lets go.” Mom broke the silence and put her arm in loop with Benedict’s. He visibly relaxed, and I followed suit as we walked.
I nudged my friend, who I didn’t have any hard feelings towards when working with my father to kidnap me. “Are you excited to meet her?”
Benedict swallowed heavily. “Yes, I hope she appreciates this vessel. I appeared more muscular in the last one.”
I scoffed. “Each person has different preferences. I used to like preppy-looking human boys, and look what I have now?”
A monster and a gothy fae.
Benedict nodded and squeezed my hand. “I am truly sorry—”
I shook my head. “Stop, you’ve said it enough. If you try to kiss my feet again, Oryx might have something to say about it.”
Benedict stiffened.
Benedict did his best to stay away from Oryx.
Who could blame him?
The last thing he saw before he died last time was his teeth crushing his head.
Veylor
Benedict escorted Vesper and her mother through the doorway. As his creator, I'd forged a mental link with him—a precaution that assured me his intentions toward them remained pure.
Through our mental link, I could feel his every emotion—respect overshadowed by the constant thrum of fear.
Every thought Benedict has revolved around avoiding offense to Oryx, myself, or Vesper's fathers.
His loyalty isn't born from devotion but survival; his primary concern remains finding and protecting his mate, even as he treads carefully around our family.
My family is more important and I will make sure that he never betrays us again.
Benedict’s mate is here, Sylvaine personally invited her to let her know her mate would be in attendance.
Flora, a spring fae.
Which gave me the reason to create Benedict’s vessel into more of a spring fae body.
Aren’t I nice?
I was rewarded handsomely by Vesper for thinking ahead of such things.
Oryx stood behind me, his cock pressing into my back. “You both look beautiful tonight.” He muttered into my ear.
Since the bonding, Oryx had mastered reading and writing, but his primal nature remained untamed. He'd drag us into the woods for hour long hunts, his eyes wild with hunger as he chased us through the underbrush until we surrendered, breathless and willing, to his carnal appetite.
Not that we minded.
Beneath his feral strength lay a vulnerability that craved gentle reassurance—soft words and yielding bodies that affirmed his place in our world. Vesper excelled at this tender dominance, whispering praise against his skin while I observed a new kink of mine that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Especially when they play on the lab beds and I take notes.
I smiled when Oryx put his arms around me and Vesper walked toward us. “Did I miss any of the good stuff yet?” she whispered and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“If you mean if Flora has revealed herself, then no.”
Oryx's tail coiled around Vesper's waist, drawing her closer as he pivoted us both toward the entrance.
Sylvaine stepped aside with a knowing chuckle as Flora emerged from behind him.
Her lavender hair cascaded down her back, half gathered in an intricate braid, while her lime green gown accentuated the rich darkness of her skin.
Benedict froze, his mind completely blank except for the one word that stood out in my mind when I finally realized who Vesper was to me.
Mate.
Benedict approached, a smug look on all of our faces as the two gazed into each other’s eyes.
“You did good,” Vesper wrapped her arms around me. “Bringing him back.”
I chuckled. “I did.”
“And modest too.”