“Yes, little one. She was jealous of their connection and tried very hard to end it. You see, some people have so much hatred in their hearts, they’re only capable of evil. They want everyone to suffer, just because they can.”
“But she failed, Daddy, didn’t she? Their love was stronger than her hate,” she says with a dreamy lilt, throwing more pebbles into the crater.
We left it void of life, a memorial to all the lives lost and the sacrifices made. The new Sangeries stands proud in the middle of our rebuilt capital. A beam of hope and endurance where all races are welcomed with open arms as long as they come with a light heart.
“Indeed, it was, my princess. For as much as she tried, Morweena couldn’t destroy their bond. Good will always win over evil, Akaoree, always remember that.”
My daughter nods pensively before her heart-shaped lips form a little circle as if a thought just occurred to her.
“But if they defeated the bi—I mean witch, why are they not here, Daddy? Shouldn’t they be the Vampire King and Queen? Instead, you and Mommy are.”
I chuckle, ruffling her hair more. Nothing escapes her curious mind.
“It was their time to move on to Eimiryia, little one. To find peace. They’ve left me and your mommy in charge of Imiryion.”
She huffs, straightening the lavender bows adorning her curls, the same shade as her periwinkle dress and thick wool cape.
“I still don’t understand where this Eimiryia is. Why can’t we visit them, like we do with Uncle Soren and Aunt Nella?”
“Because Soren and Nella live in the province of Ryawarath, here in Imiryion, while Eimirya is not on the same plane of existence,” I say the words slowly, trying not to confuse her.
“What’s a plane of existing, Daddy?”
“Imagine this,” I say, hovering my palms in the air, one on top of the other. “Eimiryia is a mirror realm of Imiryion. Much like our own, but better. Like when you look into the mirror while Mommy brushes your hair, and you see the reflection of yourself. Only there, people are not mere reflections of themselves. They are their truest form. Happy. Free. At peace. Surrounded by all their loved ones.”
I’m not sure she understands yet, but she will one day.
Eimirya is true immortality.
I used to think that vampires lived forever here, in this world, but now I know the truth. This is just a phase in the grand scheme of things. The place we are born into and where we have to prove our worth to gain access to our ever afters.
And Killian and Aimee proved their worth wholeheartedly.
Ereshkygall too, finally reunited with her Alektriona.
Even K’haram, no longer the only dragon alive, surrounded by others of his kind, soaring the skies of Eimirya with his little hatchlings.
“But, Daddy, how do you know for sure?” she asks, unconvinced.
“Because, my darling one,” I answer, taking her up in my arms and twirling her until her giggles light up the sky, “I often see them in my dreams.”
“You do?” she asks in awe. “Can Mommy too? Can I? Oh, I want to see them too.”
“No, baby, only I can. You see, when your aunt and uncle crowned me King on the battlefield, a little piece of them remained behind with me. Our souls are intertwined for all eternity, and that’s how I know they are happy and safe.”
I turn my palm toward Akaoree to show her the jagged scar left there by their former daggers, now the crown resting atop my head.
“A part of their powers stays with me, and one day, whenever that might be, we will reunite.”
“In Eimiryia? Will I go there too?”
“Yes, princess, we all will. As long as we do good in this life, we’ll be rewarded.”
“There you two are,” comes the sweet voice of the female that is, together with the little one in my arms, my entire universe. Sariah approaches regally, her pale blue cloak swirling at her ankles as she hugs her daughter, who squeals in delight.
“Mommy!”
“How come whenever I lose sight of you lot, I find you here, conspiring about higher planes?” Her voice sounds stern, but the mischief sparkling in her eyes sings another tune. She presses her lips against my own, jasmine filling my lungs, and I hum contentedly in response.
