EPILOGUE
Ava staredinto the crystal orb, desperately trying to see through the thick mists that filled the interior.
There was nothing more frustrating than knowing something dark lurked over the horizon, but not being able to see details.
"You're not a god, you know."
Ava turned toward the source of the drawled words and saw Ewan leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. It had been more than a year, but her heartbeat still picked up speed every time she saw him again, as though she were seeing him anew.
After thousands of years without each other, they were together once again. It was bliss. But every day, she half-expected something or someone to come and destroy everything they had built. After all, it had happened before.
"I know," she retorted, mirroring his stance.
"Then, why are you so upset that you can't see the future? No one holds you responsible."
"I do," she muttered, looking down at her feet. "It's my job to protect them."
In a blink, Ewan Macgrath stood in front of her, his hands on her hips. "I can assure you that they're fully capable of protecting themselves."
"I know, but I feel like it's my duty to take care of them."
"You do. In so many ways. But you can't keep them safe for eternity. Danger will come and go. We can only be vigilant and face the enemy as it comes. You'll wear yourself down to nothing if you keep this up."
"Something big is coming," Ava said. "I can feel it. I just can'tseeit."
"You will. When the time is right, you will."
"I hope you're right."
He leaned down and kissed her. "I know I am."
"So arrogant." Still, she smiled.
Ava rose up on her toes and pressed her mouth to his. When she released his lips, she whispered, "When should we tell the others?"
He immediately understood what she was talking about. “About the baby?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He paused. “I would love to tell them now, but maybe it’s best to wait.”
Though they were usually in sync, Ava wasn’t sure what the expression on his face meant. “Why?”
“As you said, something big is coming. They need to be focused on protecting themselves, not you. That’s my job.”
Ava shook her head. “I can protect myself pretty well, too, you know.”
He pulled her in closer, burying his face against her hair. “I know, but now we have a little boy on the way. It will be a two-person job.”
She didn't argue, knowing that he was remembering the child they had lost so very long ago.
"You have given me everything," he murmured. "At this moment, the entire world lives within you."
"Do you think we're well-equipped for raising a child?" she asked, also thinking of the one they’d lost.
"We've put up with Callum for the last year, a baby will be a breeze."
Ava laughed and pulled back, tears sparkling on her lower lashes. "That's true."
