“Imogen!” Kingston scolded, appalled.
“What? Sheisdead, isn’t she?”
“I’m no longer in my mortal body, but I am forever alive here,” Princess Keira clarified with an amused chuckle.
“My father is here too,” Braxton added.
“He is?” Imogen stepped closer, her hopeful expression growing with excitement and nervousness at the possibility of seeing her idol and friend once more.
Kingston’s eyes mirrored her emotions when he stepped next to her. “May we see him too?”
“He doesn’t share mom’s ability, so you won’t be able to see him. But you can feel him,” Braxton explained, glancing at his mother. “Is he beside you?” His eyes searched her surroundings as though trying to sense where he was. “Dad, hug Imogen like you did me. I’m sure she’ll want—"
His words stalled when Princess Keira stopped before him, her hand resting on his arm. Her troubled gaze focused on him. “I’m sorry, Son. Your dad is no longer here.”
A wave of dread visibly rushed through us all, and Braxton’s body instantly tensed next to me.
“Why not?”
“Did something happen to his soul?” Imogen and Kingston anxiously asked at the same time.
“What happened to him?” The words strained to pass Braxton’s lips as he closed himself to the pain to come, and I took his hand in mine supportively.
Surprisingly, his mother’s expression lightened, her smile returning. “He found peace, Baby. He crossed the bridge. When you and Evie cleared his name, the outpouring of love and worship his soul received was so overwhelming that it erased the years of suffering he’d experienced under the weight of the past.”
“But how could he leave you alone?” Braxton whispered, as though it physically hurt him to know his father was not by her side anymore.
A heavy sigh left her, and she cradled his cheeks. “He had no choice in the matter, Baby. His soul became so weightless, and brilliant, that he turned into pure light before my eyes and floated to the other side. It was the most beautiful sight.”
With a nod, Braxton smiled in return, but his joy was tainted.
“So, you are alone here?” I asked after, briefly glancing at the crystal bridge that gleamed like a rainbow in the distance.
“Not truly,” she confessed. “I am watching over the two of you, and I’m here whenever you need me. To guide you, to answer any questions you may have, and help you through this fight to the best of my ability.”
“Cross the bridge, Mom. Find your peace. I can do this without holding you back. I have Evie, Kingston, and Imogen to guide and help me. You don’t have to stay here, without Dad, for me.”
His mother’s hand fell to his chest, caressing the taught muscles over his heart that concealed his grief for her. Ever so slightly, her gaze swept the now unhidden scar on her son’s torso, and she glanced up at him, a renewed wave of love illuminating her features.
“Braxton, you were there for me regardless of how horrible it was for you or how hard it became. You werealwaysthere, caring for me when I couldn’t care for myself. What kind of mother would I be if I left your side when you needed me the most? You are my son, and I’m going to be here for you whether you like it or not.”
Her last words held a bit of a chiding yet teasing tone, but they were heavy with truth, and once again, my heart constricted. When I looked over at Imogen and my guardian, I found the same recognition of Braxton’s sacrifices edged in their saddened features.
“Besides, I’m happy here. I promise.”
“Okay, Mom. I trust you.”
Her lips curved with his acceptance, and she kissed his cheek, taking his hand in hers. “I do have peace here. Let me show you.” Her gaze swept over the rest of us when she started to pull Braxton with her. “Come on.”
Exchanging a brief glance, we began to walk along the beach, following the princess. As we moved, splashing sounds danced in the air. Kingston, Imogen, and I turned our heads towards the endless lake to find Tharion bathing there with a white Dragon who was almost as scary as he. Our eyes widened when we realized they were not alone. A golden honey Dragon swam in the water with them, playing like kids would and sending waves to the shore as her form bobbed in and out of the glimmering surface.
“It’s Ember!” I couldn’t help myself from gasping, happy to see her here, safe and healed.
“Yes, she is,” Braxton confirmed, the delight I felt at seeing her again mirroring on his face. Kingston and Imogen joined us then, happiness and nostalgia filling their eyes.
“Is Penelope here too?” The question left me before I could repress it, yet Princess Keira nodded.
“I’m sure she is, but we all have our own journey to peace. Normally, souls are not able to commune with each other until they have found theirs and crossed the bridge. We will all meet on the other side.”
