“What about Mom?” Phin asked.
“I’m going with him,” she said. Radueriel laced his fingers with his wife’s and leaned in to kiss her forehead.
“But… how will that work?” Phin asked, and my brothers and I all looked to one another, also curious.
“If they wish to prevent their own imminent collapse, they will allow my wife to accompany me inside the gates peacefully. If they refuse?” he shrugged and tossed back the last of his ale. “Then I will lose no sleep over it. I will deliver Armaros’s corpse to their doorstep and go on to live my life here on Earth. I will make it my mission to punish anyone involved in his scheme and ensure there are never any Nephilim within their grasp everagain. Then I will avenge those who were captured, tortured, killed. Once that’s done, I’ll rest easy, never wasting another moment of my time thinking about that place or those who dwell there ever again.”
Magnus’s low rolling chuckle slowly gained speed and volume. “I like you,” he said, raising his own tankard in toast.
“Yes,” Vassago agreed with a smirk. “I believe you’ll fit in here just fine. Welcome to you both.” He raised his cup as well.
After a bit longer, goodbyes were begun, the energy of the whole group beginning to wane. Promises were made to align schedules so that they could all transition back to some kind of normal life as quickly as possible.
“D’Arcan is open to you,” Rylan repeated, dipping to briefly embrace Hailon’s mother. “We have ample resources, and there are many talents within these walls. Just ask for what you need, surely we can find a way.”
Archimedes and Belmont flew low to the ceiling, their wings cutting the air with a heavy beat. The pair dove out the doors the moment they were opened, immediately taking to the sky. Calla’s cat had wandered off to nap somewhere, and Ramsey had become glued to Phin’s legs.
Hailon and Seir split off with her parents, headed for the portal back to the glade as Magnus squeezed his sister, then drew Ris in with a chuckle, his arms around them both.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said, the words a solemn vow.
“Yes, you will,” Magnus laughed, releasing them both.
Ris and Rowan both hugged Greta for a long moment, then he tucked his wife under his arm. She looked up at him with the same moony expression he’d worn all through dinner. I could guarantee it would be a long while before any of these people took being able to see and touch their loved ones for granted.
“Please reach out if you need anything for the Nephilim,” Phin’s father offered.
Ris dipped his head and stretched out a hand for Radueriel to shake. “I will. Thank you. I’m happy to lend aid in whatever way you need should your discussions with Heaven go less smoothly than you hope.” Then they too were gone. Vassago turned and took Greta to their own set of rooms.
Calla had escorted her parents up to their apartment already, and Rylan bade us good night to go to her, leaving us alone with Raduriel and Terra.
To facilitate their journey to Vincara, we first traveled to the crossroads. When we stepped through, I all but deflated as the tension left my limbs. I truly was an isolationist who loved being home at heart, and the quiet of the great hall brought immediate and tremendous comfort.
“Are you sure you don’t want to rest?” I asked. “Heaven will be there after a good night’s sleep.”
“Your offer is appreciated, but I’m certain.” Radueriel reached out to shake my hand, his grip firm. “I’ve been making preparations for a long while with no way to fulfill them.”
“I’m more than happy to accompany you, if you’d like.”
“That’s not necessary, but I would not deprive you—either of you—your own vengeance on Father Morton, should you wish to take it.”
I cannot wait to see the holy man again.Ramsey’s black smoke plumed out around her, the tone of her voice in my head denoting a heavy level of sarcasm.But I will return to your side imminently, mistress.Phin patted Ramsey’s head.
“You’re the one he mistreated, Phin. If you want revenge, it’s yours.” Phin’s mother’s eyes were soft, but there was a rim of red around the dark brown, her ire clearly near the surface.
“I don’t want anything to do with him or the bells at that church, ever again. If you want to do this, you’re welcome to it. He made and broke promises to you, not to me.”
“Promises with you at the heart, though. Your care.” Radueriel frowned at his daughter, confusion in his kind violet eyes.
“He asked the apothecary to slowlypoisonyou, Feather,” I argued, realizing I’d been more thorough in devising as well as devoted to my own plot to repay him for his betrayal than I thought.
She shook her head. “His method was absolutely wrong, but he kept me hidden when it mattered. That tincture kept my cycle at bay and disguised me well enough Armaros didn’t see me when he was sitting at a table five feet from me.” I opened my mouth again, ready to list all the organs it had damaged while she was taking it, the freezing episodes, but I didn’t get a word out before she put her fingers to my lips. “My father will take care of it, far better than I could, I’m sure.”
“He’ll be coming with me to Heaven. Justice will be served, one way or the other,” Radueriel assured us.
“Good luck to you. And we will await a summons should you need any kind of assistance or testimony.”
“We’ll see you very soon, my heart.” Phin’s mom squeezed her tight and then they turned, vanishing through the same doorway that had carried me to the place I’d found my fate.
