Gatlin wraps me in his arms. “See, told you.” He leans down and gives me a hard kiss. “You’re never getting rid of me.” He glances at the blades. “Since I’m the only one they can’t kill, I’ll take them.”
Mathias pats Jamison on the back. “You’re the only immortal mage in the world. How does that feel?”
Jamison’s gaze finds mine. “It means our lives are just getting started.” He pauses for a second. “Thank you for bringing up the treaty. It’s time for humans and supernaturals to find a way to live together in this world. It won’t be easy, but it’s the right thing to do.”
“I agree.” I look around the temple. If I don’t see another temple for a hundred years, I’ll be happy. “Let’s go home.”
Hawthorne picks up the box and key. “Wait until Rupert and Henry hear that the gods consider the Keepers of the Cursed your worshippers.”
“I’m sure they’ll get a kick out of it. Letz would have laughed,” I say, thinking of how he started it all.
“He would have loved it,” Jamison remarks with a sad smile. “The man lived for drama.”
Stepping outside, I look around and spot Charlie standing at the bottom of the hill.
As we get nearer, a look of relief crosses his face. “Everything settled?”
“It is,” I assure him. “Want a ride home?”
Jamison opens a portal, and feeling eyes on me, I glance back and see Demeter standing at the top of the hill smiling at me. I return her smile. If it weren’t for her, the gods would have gotten rid of me long ago. Now look at my life. Maybe good things do come to those who wait.
I link my arm with Gatlin’s. “This calls for grilled cheese sandwiches and a couple bottles of 1945 Château Mouton-Rothschild, don’t you think?”
His smile is broad and full of the same happiness I feel in my heart and soul.
EPILOGUE
PHAEDRA
Unsure of how it would all work, we spent the last fifteen years testing everything. Opening and closing the portals, individually and collectively, for short periods of time to gather data on how much power it took to do each and how long it took to replenish it. Sending in messages via drone to see if the other worlds wanted to establish communication with us and ask if they wanted the portals opened. Based on all our observations, we figured we could open the gates every fifteen years. Any sooner and there wouldn’t be enough power in the box to fully close them. We communicated this to each world along with a proposed date for the first opening.
Two days ago, I carefully turned the key clockwise and opened the gates. Lines of individuals were waiting to cross. The sheer influx of supernaturals was a concern to us but thankfully,Hephaestus’ design included safeguards to maintain the balance between the worlds.
We’re still learning how it all works, but thankfully, everything went smoothly. And in a few hours, we’ll close the gates for another fifteen years.
“Come on,” I whisper, unable to help myself. Anxious, I scan each tall, dark, and handsome man walking through the portal between this world and Kallias, looking for him. My mate.
Jamison squeezes my shoulders. “I’d tell you not to worry, but it would be hypocritical of me.” The lines around his eyes are tight with concern.
I bite my lip and turn back to the portal. And…there he is. Relief fills me.
Mathias rushes over and sweeps me into his arms. “Hello, love.” His lips crash down on mine in a brief, hard kiss. “Two days is a long time, and yet not long enough. Seeing my daughter again. It was everything. Thank you.” He looks at the four of us. “Calla says hello, and she looks forward to meeting all of you next time.”
“So, you didn’t forget about me?” I tease, knowing this intense man would never. I squeeze him tighter, thankful he’s back.
He lifts my chin. “As if I could forget my mate.”
Gatlin, always the first to show his love for us, pulls him into one of his infamous bear hugs. The other two grin and give him a bro hug, complete with slaps on the back. All of us were worried something would go wrong, but the small tests we did in advance assured us the gates would work. It was still nerve-wracking watching him go.
When we announced we were opening the gates, surprisingly, only a few supernaturals wanted to return to their home worlds for good. A lot wanted to visit, though. See family and friends.
Not surprising, there has been an influx of those wanting to come here. But we don’t want to upset the balance between supernaturals and humans. So, we’re only allowing short-term visits this time.
I turn to address a group of incoming visitors and find Demeter standing in front of me. I bite my lip.Did I do something wrong?Her lips soften in a reassuring smile, then she steps to the side, revealing a gorgeous blond woman. My breath catches. Her eyes. The perfect shade of blue given to her by the gods themselves. The last time I saw them; she was being pulled into a portal.
“Pandora?” I whisper, afraid she’ll disappear if I say her name out loud. I slowly walk towards her, my hand outstretched. “Is that really you?”
She studies me for a second before stepping closer. “Phaedra.” Turning to the side, she reveals the three gorgeous men standing behind her. “My mates: Cohnal, Blu, and Sage.”
