Epilogue

GODRIC

Beyond a roiling cloud cover, a full moon struggles to illuminate the bitterly cold night. It only races turbulent shadows over me, echoing those slithering within my mind as I hover outside her window.

I’m watching her sleep. When I scoffed at the very idea on her first day at the Academy.

It’s beyond ridiculous, yet I can’t move. Like I couldn’t that fateful night when I first heard her voice.

“Are you my birthday surprise?”

These preposterous words, spoken in her soft, scalding tones, hit me worse than my father’s paralyzing Grace ever did. Totally unexpected and confounding. Just like every word out of her mouth ever since.

From that moment forward, it has all been—inconceivable. Everything I’ve felt, and done.

All through the past two months, I’ve rationalized risking all I did for her. First because the archangels demanded it, then because I recognized her power’s cataclysmic potential, and my need for it.

But how can I explain what I did when she was at the Trials?

If that bloody realm hasn’t stopped me, I would have transferred all my Energy to her. At the unspeakable cost of vulnerability. When I have too many enemies who would have pounced on the opportunity. They wouldn’t have been able to kill me still, but they could have done worse, even thrown me in the deepest pit of Carcerem. I would have had no use for her power then. I would have forfeited my lifelong plans.

I can’t even imagine the consequences.

Yet I was still willing to do it.

Fool.

I snarl at that maddening inner voice and its favorite name for me of late.

No. Not a fool. A madman. Only one would think of such a catastrophic gamble, let alone enact it.

And I believed not touching her was the best resolution I ever made, and almost killed myself to keep to it. But abstaining from ravishing her has only messed with my mind, and shredded my control. She has.

And that was before I made my worst mistake yet. Before I kissed her.

Now, they’re almost upon me. I felt them coming from miles away, but had no intention of evading them, or even hiding what I’m doing. I actually welcome their intrusion. If it weren’t for their approach, I would have stormed back into that room, and taken her right there and then, whether she wanted me to or not.

But she wants me to. The prod of her desire has been like barbed wires wrapping tighter around my every nerve. Even in sleep, I feel her reaching out with the tendrils of her bottomless greed, tearing at my own inexorable hunger.

So let them come. Let their conflict distract me from her consuming compulsion.

Turning with a tranquility I’ve left far behind, I watch them exchange a tense glance. It’s good to see them uneasy in my presence. And that’s when they know nothing of my truth.

If they did, they’d do everything in their collective power to end me.

I feel the agreement passing between them a moment before the breaker of teleportation crashes over me. My wrath towers at their presumption, then higher when I realize the destination they picked. My private quarters, where I never allow anyone.

For moments, a fraction of what I feel escapes my compromised control. Before they can register discomfort, let alone pain, I clamp down over the tide of my power. They should never suspect what I’m capable of.

“You should have let her die.”

The words feel like that spiked whip that once flayed my flesh off my bones.

For I know they’re true. I should have ended her life that first night.

What her very power did to me, even before I laid eyes on her, have been grounds for execution in my book. Then I saw her, and with that first lash of her challenge, something unknown and unstoppable lurched within me, came into being. It unfurled and grew with every second near her. I knew it would continue to invade me as long as she breathed.

That night, I wanted to unleash myself on her, glut myself with her, before snuffing out the impossible flame of her existence. I told myself only the archangels’ interest in her stayed my hand.

I’ve long admitted that was a lie. I wanted her alive. I wanted her, period. When I never wanted anyone before. I now crave her, far more than I do vengeance and annihilation.

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

I watch them, invading my sanctum, and add it to their offenses. “You must be mistaking me for some subordinate. I tolerate you at my discretion. I have none right now.”

Their stances and gazes harden. Wisely, they don’t act on their affront.

“The malfunctioning Gate was the perfect opportunity.”

“This is the second one you actively wasted to be rid of her.”

“If you want to so much, why don’t you do it?” I interrupt. “You killed countless humans, after all, for far less reasons.”

And that’s when they want her dead only as a precaution. They know nothing of her truth, either.

Not that I know everything myself. I am still putting the pieces of her puzzle together. I suspect it’s far bigger than even I can imagine. If they suspect any of it, they would do anything to end her.

I’d stop them, even at the cost of killing them all. The consequences of that would make the brewing internal war I started on her account seem like a children’s spat.

I still can’t believe what she’s done to me.

But from that first night, she’s been mine. Mine to torment, to temper. Mine to control and covet. When I fully lose my mind, she’ll be mine to possess and plunder.

“We would have gotten rid of her, if it were possible. But we cannot be connected to her—demise.”

“Of course.” I scoff. “Now that taking a human life would cause you trouble, you want her blood on someone else’s hands, either be commission or omission. Such nobility and courage.”

“You forget your place, Godric.”

“I forget nothing.”

The silence that follows my bark makes me fear they realized a truth I never intended to reveal. I’m in even worse condition than I thought if I let that slip.

“Then remember your place in all this. It was you who put the wheels in motion.”

“I’m merely trying to finish what you started.”

“Because it serves the only purpose you have; your revenge.”

I don’t answer at once, my gaze sliding between them, trying to gauge if they did understand. There’s no indication of the wariness that should be the only sane response if they did.

Knowing I can do nothing about it now either way, I exhale. “My motives are none of your concern. I will do what I need to do, the way I need to do it. You do your part the way you see fit. But you will not question me again, or infringe on my…turf.”

They exchange another glance. This time I know they heard my threat. Loud and clear. But they need me too much now to antagonize me any further.

Without another word, a flash fills my quarters, and they’re gone. Just seconds before I brought the whole tower down on everyone in it.

I need to vent the violence of my emotions far from here. Emotions I’m not supposed to have. I was not made to feel what others are allowed to. I should never risk losing control.

But I fear it’s too late.

Flames are already consuming me.

It takes me moments to realize they’re real. And that I’ve burned off my sweatshirt.

No, not me. Her rune has. What has appeared within my seal. Over my very heart.

I stare at the fiery mark. She has somehow carved herself into my flesh, by what has felt like the hand of fate itself.

After what I was willing to do to have her back, I can no longer deny what it means.

I am hers, too.

I can’t think of a bigger disaster.

I have killed everyone who came close to me. Before this war is over, I will most probably kill the rest. And If I succeed in making her my ultimate weapon, I will kill her, too.

I no longer want to. I never wanted to. But I may have no choice.

I have always been, and will always be, a destroyer.

And since I am hers, when it finally comes down to it, she’ll be mine to end.

Thank you for reading my debut book, CELESTIAL ACADEMY: Essence!

If you enjoyed the journey with Wen, Godric and the rest of their reluctant team so far, their trials are just beginning.

To continue their epic adventures

Pre-Order CELESTIAL ACADEMY: NEXUS,

book 2 of 5 in the Afterworld series today!

To support my own journey in bringing you more Afterworld tales, your word of mouth and reviews are vital to me as a debut indie author!

Even a couple of lines or a rating can lead new readers to my work and help make it a success!

I would truly appreciate you posting a review on:

Amazon

Goodreads

Bookbub

Thank you so much in advance for every word or star you volunteer!

At last, how would you like a FREE prequel starring Godric?

Get OMEN (available very soon), when you sign up to my VIP Newsletter at www.oliviapharos.com.

Also come join the discussion of everything Celestial Academy and Afterworld in my Facebook Private Reader Group, Pharos Phanatics!!

Thank you again for reading, and see you in the next book!

Olivia