Two years since we finally got a sense of peace.
Two years since my prophecy came full circle.
They will rise with fire in their bones and ruin in their wake, step the shadows that you reap and give more than you shall take. Blood shall bind you, love shall break you. Only in the face of death shall the path be clear; the world mourns with the final tear.
The destruction of the Emberlock left the ruin and fire in its wake, and the rest is history.
With The Vale gone, right along with Jude’s world, our lives are beyond different. Kael’s parents, along with Odie, Ellie, and Rikard, brought democracy to the supernatural world. No segregated realms, no obnoxious control, none of it. Instead, they’ve started to lay roots throughout the world, offering safety to all, including those with what Jude considered extra special powers.
There’s a long road ahead of us, but the weightof that doesn’t rest squarely on our shoulders. It’s a collective burden, as it always should have been.
Rion, in the free time he has when he’s not utterly devoted to Elodie, is working through the demons from his childhood, while also working with packs throughout many countries, creating undeniable bonds. He’s finally showing the world what it means to be a loyal wolf; replicating nothing of his father, just as he likes it.
Kael has slowly been rekindling his relationship with his parents, who have begun to realize that The Obsidian Circle isn’t the only thing worthy of their attention. Watching him soften in their presence is almost comforting, but it’s the way he constantly shows his growth that has us all in awe. We found a mage a while back, someone who can help ensure the mental marks left by Jude heal. He’s quiet after those sessions, Elodie being his rock, but the progress is impressive.
Ocean is possibly the greatest witch I’ve ever met. Her strength and desire to learn is almost obnoxious, but I’m pretty sure it only looks like that to piss Rion off, and it’s highly amusing to watch. She’s the sister the others never knew they needed, and nothing like the one I lost, but a sister no less. Although, if she continues to sneak Elodie away forgirls’ nights, I might have to disown her. She is, however, the lead witch of an eighteen-month-old coven.The Psychotics.Her title choices are no surprise, but their name is growing strong among the community, and I’m low key proud. I just can’t tell her that.
I, on the other hand, have taken comfort in the lands that were once my own. They don’t take up all of my time, but when I’m there, I make sure to aid in its growth, one small step at a time. Odie helps too, and we both take solace in watching it come back to life. It’s healing the part of my soul I thought would be broken forever. The other part of it is whole now, thanks to Elodie, who continues to be the most beautiful person, both inside and out, that I’ve ever met.
Since the scythe’s vault was lost in the fall of The Vale, she and her mother have dedicated themselves to restoring their heritage and taking pride in their origin.
She belongs. Now more than ever.
With a true family around her, she’s never been stronger. Although, her secret keeping is something we need to work on, but that’s fine.
That’s what today is about anyway.
Rolling my shoulders back, I close my closetdoor and step into the bedroom to find the woman in question freshly dressed, out of the shower, and smiling with a softness I’m growing to love about her.
Every day I take her in, I’m in awe when I think about her life path. She went from victim, to survivor, to our whole damn purpose.
“How do you look even more beautiful than I remember?” I breathe, and she rolls her eyes at me.
“Than you remember? I saw you twenty minutes ago,” she amuses, and I shrug.
“It’s been a long twenty minutes,” I state, and she shakes her head, but I don’t miss the pinch to her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” I ask, hurrying toward her, and she nods as I wrap my arm around her, pulling her in close.
She breathes me in, and I do the same, taking a moment to feel grounded before she speaks. “I saw something earlier and it made me think.”
“About what?” I ask, and she smiles, despite the hint of darkness in her eyes.
“It had me thinking about my life before all of this and it made me realize that things were tough for a reason, and it was meant to be that way,” she explains, and before I can push for more, she offers it freely. “Icouldn’t save myself from the past because I needed the energy to save myself now. Well, more recently.” She brushes a hand through her hair, which is a rich chestnut shade, another color she’s explored, and it only makes her marbled eyes look even more stunning. I stroke my thumb over her cheek and she smiles softly. “So, what’s the surprise?” she asks, and I wink.
“You’ll see,” I rasp as the sound of the door creaking behind me confirms we’re ready to go.
“Petal,” Rion murmurs, separating us, but we don’t make it far before he grabs both of us in a bear hug. I groan as he chuckles, enjoying the sweet sound of Elodie’s laugh too. “The portal is ready,” he adds after squeezing us half to death, and I mumble my thanks as Elodie eyes me suspiciously.
We don’t use portals often, opting to enjoy the world around us and the somewhat mundane modes of transport it has to offer in comparison, but today makes the portal necessary.
Making our way downstairs in our home, we find Kael waiting in the office, Ocean beside him.
She beams as we approach, swiftly wrapping her arms around Elodie’s neck, who frowns in confusion at her best friend's presence.
“What’s this?” she asks, and Oceanleans back with a wink, releasing her from her hold before mimicking the action of sealing her lips. It earns her an eye roll from Elodie as Kael approaches.
“Where are we going?” he asks, sneaking Elodie from my grasp. I consider putting up a fight, but really, I want the best vantage point of taking her in when we get there, and I know it will be better from afar.
