“According to fate, destiny, and cosmic law. I believe that would be you.”
I watch my daughter return to her family as laughter lights up her face, and I feel that familiar surge of maternal pride mixed with celestial satisfaction. “You know what I love about this entire situation?”
“Your daughter’s criminal creativity?” Demetri suggests.
“The fact that she defeated both of you using nothing but determination and the federal postal system?” Marshall adds.
“The fact that she proved something I’ve always believed.” I gesture toward the viewing sphere, where the entire family is now gathered around the bonfire, their voices mixing with the sound of waves and crackling driftwood. “Love—real love, the kind that builds families and defies manipulation—is stronger than any force in the universe. Stronger than time travel, stronger than destiny, stronger than the combined efforts of a Caelestis and a Sector and a cosmic entity who shall remain nameless.”
“I’m sitting right here,” Demetri points out.
“And yet you still lost to mail theft.”
“Are you ever going to let me live that down?”
“Probably not.”
Sector Marshall smooths down his coat, preparing to leave our celestial viewing party. “Well, this has been delightfully humbling for some of us, but I have romantic pursuits to plan.”
“More kissing of unsuspecting wives?” Demetri asks with a devilish grin.
“Among other things. Romance is an art form, you understand. It requires patience, creativity, and excellent timing.”
“And apparently, a complete disregard for marriage vows,” I add dryly.
“Marriage vows are temporary. Soul bonds are eternal.”
“Hear, hear,” Demetri says, cheering him on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, until next time,” Sector Marshall gives a slight bow. “I have a future wife to woo.”
He disappears in a shower of silver stars, leaving Demetri and me alone with the viewing sphere and the lingering scent of his cologne.
“He’s persistent, I’ll give him that,” Demetri observes. “Well, this has been illuminating, but I have my own schemes to plot. Evil doesn’t plan itself, you know.”
“More attempts to marry my daughter’s stepmother?”
“Oh, heavens no. I’m thinking smaller scale this time. Maybe I’lltry to corrupt a local election or manipulate the stock market. Something with a reasonable chance of success. My marriage to Lizbeth will come in time. And if I’m anything, I’m patient.”
“Very wise.”
Demetri pauses at the edge of the crystalline platform. “You know, Candace, despite our philosophical differences and your daughter’s unfortunate habit of thwarting my plans, I have to admit, this was well played on her part. Not so much yours.” His smile widens as he gives a sly wink. “Better luck next time.”
“I don’t need luck. I make my own.”
“Indeed. Until our next inevitable conflict.”
“Until then.”
Demetri vanishes in his trademark swirl of midnight stars, leaving me alone with the viewing sphere and the most beautiful sight in any universe—my daughter surrounded by the family she fought so hard to protect.
I lean back in my starlight throne and smile as I watch Skyla laugh with friends while Logan and Gage argue about something undoubtedly ridiculous as Brielle tries to mediate between them.
This is what I schemed and planned and manipulated time itself to preserve—not just my daughter’s happiness, but the continuation of something pure and strong and eternal for every one of those souls involved. And I’ll destroy anyone who tries to undercut Celestra’s future, even if they happen to be directly related to me through my daughter. Blood ties won’t save them from my wrath if they threaten what I’ve built.
I knew Skyla and Logan would find a way home. And I certainly know they will move heaven and earth to make sure their offspring do not dare step out of line when it comes to Celestra. It was all a ruse. I couldn’t merely relay the prophecy and hope that Skyla and Logan would rear their children in the way they should go. They needed a wake-up call that would drive home the point. And, of course, the point being, that I would not suffer fools who dare stand in the way of Celestra, even if they have only ever called me Grandma.
Celestra will endure. Through faction wars and time travel adventures, through federal mail theft and butterfly room debauchery, through whatever Sector Marshall’s romantic persistence brings and whatever schemes Demetri hatches next.
