“Did I tell you what Vuheia said right before she gave my body back?”
I paused in the massaging, eyes flying to his. “No! You didn’t mention this at all. You spoke with her?”
“I had to carefully word some things since I was surrounded by people. I thought I might have skipped over that. I spoke with her directly, face-to-face, and let me tell you, it was an experience. Part of me was completely overwhelmed. Her aura is intimidating. I wrote about the event on the way home, while it was still fresh.”
“Oh, Priest Edes will cry tears of joy.”
He snorted a laugh. “That he will. I’ll make him a copy. Anyway, she only had a few seconds with me, but she told me a little bit. She said you and I are favorites of hers.”
“Me too?”
“You too. She also said she gave me a second chance because she loved us, and she was confident I’d get it right on the second try. I think she had just as much faith in you, really. Then again, it’s easier to do it right the second time when you have full knowledge of what’s coming.”
“True. Then…does this mean everything we were meant to do is done?”
“I think so? She said to just live and enjoy being with you, so that was my impression.” James’s voice grew incredibly soft. “I’m thankful your soul remembered me, my darling. It would have been so much harder on me, otherwise.”
I leaned in to kiss his cheek. “I’m glad for that too. You did come on a bit strong at first. If not for my soul remembering you, I think it would have been much harder for you to win me over.”
“Ha, yeah, I knew I was making a mistake rushing. I couldn’t seem to help myself. But it all worked out. We’re married, the worst of our trials are done, and we can live life now.”
We’d fought so hard over the past several months, it felt strange to suddenly be told I’d crossed the goal line. Surely I wasn’t completely done. There had to be something I still had to do. I was only thirty, after all. No one was done at thirty.
James loosely wrapped his fingers around mine, smile reassuring. “We still have a country to run, of course. It’s not like we can lounge about, resting on our laurels for the rest of our lives, but we’ve attained Paradise. We’ll never face the threat of separation again.”
The joy and relief at his words pierced my heart. I kissed him again, unable to do anything else. “For that, I’m heartily glad.”
“I as well. We can rest, dearest. We’ve earned it, and barring the unforeseen, I think our reign will be peaceful.”
“For heaven’s sake, don’t jinx us!”
“Perish the thought. Still, I think we can stop stressing about the future.”
Hopefully he was right. It was just hard for me to fully wrap my mind around the concept. Well, I’d adjust with time. “Then let’s be as idle as we like today.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Epilogue
James
I once again found myself in the grey space, the threshold between the mortal plane and Paradise. Unease rattled through me. I’d gone to sleep next to Edwin after a perfect afternoon of lounging about, so I shouldn’t be in here. Unless I’d died.
I better not have fucking died.
My panic abruptly receded when I felt someone clasp hands with me. I’d know that hand anywhere and instinctively relaxed as I turned to look at Edwin. If Edwin was with me, I had nothing to panic about.
Still a little worried, though, because why were we here?
“You didn’t do that spell in your sleep, did you?” Edwin muttered, looking about warily.
“Why would I do that?”
“It’s the only reason I can think of why we’re here.”
“Still, this isn’t my doing.”
A light female voice floated from the mist as she approached. “No, it’s not your doing. It’s mine.”
