“But we’ve known each other such a short time, and most of that time was under extreme circumstances.I want it to be right.I want to be absolutely sure that this is forever.”
Grateful stroked her daughter’s cheek and rubbed her nose against the baby’s.“Is it possible to be absolutely sure about anything?I can tell you one thing—I wasn’t sure birthing two magical children was the right thing to do.I’m still not sure there won’t be unforeseen consequences.But I don’t regret it.Not for a second.I think sometimes you’ve got to take a chance.”
Silas kissed her on the forehead.“Congratulations, Grateful.And thanks for the advice.I’ll think on it.”
ChapterThirty-One
Three months later…
Under a canopy of stars, Silas joined hands with Meredith, the heat of the bonfire toasting the chill from the evening air.Sparks rose between the trees and blended with the stars above.It was a beautiful late-summer evening, every star visible in the clear night sky.
“I’ve never been to a celestial-fae funeral before,” Meredith said.
“Neither have I.”Silas lifted their coupled hands and kissed the back of hers.“It’s a privilege to be invited.The celestials are secretive about their traditions.”
“Isn’t it strange how long they waited?It’s been months since Soleil died.”
“You didn’t see what happened to her.There was nothing left to bury.According to Grateful, the fae are heavily religious about astrology.Tonight is the perfect time for this ritual.Don’t ask me to explain why.Something about the alignment of the stars.That part went over my head.”
“Where is Grateful?”
“She’s around.She’s making sure the area is secure and nothing disturbs this ritual.She told me she felt like it was the least she could do.”
“Don’t look now, but there’s someone coming our way, and her eyes are on you.”Meredith gestured with her chin.
Dressed only in a cascade of filmy, glistening fabric, Astrial approached them, reaching for Silas.He took her trembling hands and greeted her warmly.She’d been crying, and Silas fought the urge to wipe her glistening tears away.
“Thank you for coming, Silas.I know for a fact that Soleil loved you deeply.”
“I loved her too,” he said.It was awkward to say the words in front of Meredith.The way he’d loved Soleil was different from the way he loved Meredith, but it wasn’t the time or the place to explain that now.Still, he noticed Meredith’s eyes dart toward the fire.
Astrial lightly touched her elbow.“Don’t fret.”
“Hmm?”Meredith forced a smile.
“Soleil wanted Silas to be happy.She was polyamorous and would never have kept him from you even if she were still alive.”
“Oh, uh,” she mumbled, “um, thank you.”
Astrial bowed deeply.“I must go now.The ceremony is about to begin.”
“That was weird,” Meredith said once she was gone.
Silas snorted.“Different strokes for different folks.”
“Just so we’re clear, I’m the monogamous type.I definitely will not be okay with you, uh, stroking anyone else.”She gave him a nervous grin.
He hooked a finger beneath her chin and pressed his lips to hers.“Good.I feel the same way.”
They followed the crowd of guests to a long line of people surrounding the fire.Silas noticed a familiar face on the other side of the flames—Ryker, alone and despondent, his dark, upturned eyes reflecting the light.Or maybe that burn came from within.Behind the incubus, the vampire, Julius, stood on the brink of the woods, hands folded respectfully.The vampire looked less despairing.In fact, his lips held a whisper of a smile as if he was the keeper of a tightly held secret.
The celestial fae, all women, crowded around a carved wooden box.When they opened it, Silas’s exhale shook with emotion.Inside was what was left of Soleil—a dense black orb cushioned on purple silk.The fae raised the box above their heads and began to sing.
The haunting tune was in a language Silas didn’t know, but the melody brimmed with love and loss.The group of fae proceeded solemnly toward the fire.
A tall black woman, dressed in rings of purple crystals that reminded Silas of the planet Saturn, addressed the crowd.“We come here to celebrate this revolution of our sister Soleil.The universe is a vast and unfathomable place.We are drawn to each other by orbit, we hold to each other by gravity, and we stay in each other’s galaxy by fate.Soleil was our sun, a bringer of light and warmth and pleasure.We bring her now to the fire of our ancestors, fire born of stardust from the far-off place of our origin.Be free, Soleil.May your light be renewed and shine for us always.”
Astrial, crying beads of light that twinkled like tiny stars on her cheeks, accepted the box from the other fae and tossed it into the flames.A plume of purple embers sailed toward the stars.Silas squeezed Meredith’s hand tighter as the fire consumed the box and the dark orb within.Soleil’s remains unraveled like a tightly wrapped ball of rubber bands, a giant purple atom rotating deep within the pyre.Flames turned to sparks, which in turn transformed to hot embers.And then, abruptly, the fire burned itself out.All that was left was a heap of hot coals and charred logs.
