“Oh, hey.” I look at Kieran and Finnian. “Meet Whispen Moonshadow.”
“Oh no.” Kieran’s face falls.
“Yep.” Whispen grins. “You cannot kill me. My sister promised me immortality.”
Finn groans. “Ash.”
“Ah, ah.” Whispen smirks. “You must be nice.” He turns to Orion. “No more death threats.”
“A brother.” Finnian shakes his head.
“More trouble,” Kieran says.
Yeah. More trouble. For eternity with my family.
62
Ash
Life returnsto normal with a deep breath.
It’s cruel in a way. How effortless life just exists.
My cousins were the first to leave. But not before we made plans to reconnect. Just as soon as we figure out how time moves between all of us.
My mother actually chose to stay. She made friends in that kitchen. Over baked breads and pastries. I get it. Sweets do have the tendency to break people down.
The group of them who were imprisoned by Moros, some human, some from other courts, they all chose to stay here because despite everything it’s the only place that has felt like home to them.
I get it, I feel the same way.
Dagda and the triple goddess disappeared the moment the dust settled. Somehow, I know they’ve finally laid down for that well-deserved nap.
I’ll miss them, but I also understand.
Tiana began rebuilding from the dust of her court. Rising like a phoenix. Slowly those in hiding emerged back to their homes. And when Tiana remained a stable presence, even more so.
Kestra already took on a consort, much to Kieran’s chagrin, it was in fact Jadeve. I don’t have the heart to tell him that she may or may not have a couple more.
I’ll leave him his peace.
He’s already had to deal with my little big brother. Who is keeping his promise to annoy the absolute crap out of him.
Maybe that’s why we all ended up back at the Academy. Ironic as it is.
Also because it keeps Whispen distracted. He’s already a professor. The youngest but also one of the oldest. It’s really quite the mind fuck.
We settled in a cabin within the Wild Forest and near the Academy grounds.
The Treasures are still gone. Disappeared with the rubble.
I suspect they’re off to find a new bearer. I learned a lot in the last few weeks. I’ve enjoyed listening to the guys’ origin stories at night when the nightmares wake me.
Instead of pretending they don’t exist, I’ve been opening up more and more.
I also don’t think my guys miss the Treasures at all.
Finn, well, he really is rewriting history.
