46. Montana

Weeks and weeks passed as we headed back to New York. Our human bodies were slower; we needed more rest than the slayers, but we had all the time in the world now.

As we closed in on the city, an ounce of trepidation filled my heart at what we’d find there. But when we arrived, the newly turned humans weren’t in disarray. In fact, it looked as though a party had been going on here since the moment the curse had been broken. The final biters had either died in the battle at the holy mountain or had quietly fallen into the shadows of society where I hoped they’d never hurt anyone again.

As the eight of us marched up the road toward the castle walls under the light of the midday sun, eyes fell on us from those drinking or dancing in the streets. Cheers rose up as they screamed their joy at the return of their rulers.

Erik gripped my hand as we walked in our silent procession, the eight of us marching in a row, united eternally by what we’d endured.

I wondered whether the people would ever know what had caused their return to humanity. But so many smiling faces was enough for me. I didn’t want to be celebrated for the sacrifice my sister and I had made. I wanted to find a place in this world where we could live a normal life, one we’d dreamed about since we were children.

The days fell away as Erik and the other Belvederes busied themselves with reorganising the empire. Announcements were made to open the Realms and soon Callie, Erik, Magnar, Julius and Clarice and I were on a train to the west where the first of the Realms would be opened. Our Realm. Our old home, the only one we’d ever known and even now I didn’t know where we would find another. But somehow, with Erik by my side, I knew we would.

Fabian had remained in New York with Chickoa to ensure the city was kept in order. The Belvederes were working toward a future I was so excited about I could barely contain it. They were going to build schools, hospitals, houses, farms. Everything we’d ever dreamed about growing up in Realm G.

The country had changed before my eyes in the past weeks. The mortal world was shaping up to be the finest it had ever been. And I prayed the humans in the Realms would find a way to one day forgive the vampires, but I didn’t think it would be so simple.

As we arrived outside Realm G, I gazed through the layers of fencing that led into the town I knew so well. Except now it looked rebuilt. Renovations were taking place everywhere and the people inside were jovially taking part in the construction work.

A couple of guards opened the iron gates for us and I took Callie’s hand as we led the way inside. Two sisters, returned to where it had all started, walking through the gates as free women. We’d changed so much and yet in the face of the familiar streets and buildings, I knew this part of us would never truly leave our hearts.

Eyes fell on us and those who knew us seemed confused by the sight. Perhaps they’d thought we were dead after we’d escaped all those months ago. And I imagined it was a strange sight indeed to see us in the company of two Belvederes.

Erik and Clarice moved ahead of us and Erik called out to everyone within earshot. “Your Realm is no longer a prison. This town is yours and the gates will never be closed again. Food will be sent here until the surrounding lands are farmed and you can support yourselves. The New Empire welcomes you to remain under our rule, but you will have no obligation to do anything but enjoy your free lives now.”

Clarice took over, gazing around at everyone with a hopeful smile. “If you wish to work, there will be many positions available to be filled. To rebuild this world, we must band together. And in repayment for what we’ve taken from you, every family in every Realm will be given compensation for the blood you and your families have provided throughout your lives.”

Several guards who’d accompanied us from the city set to work tearing down the gates and fences. The people of the Realm broke into cheers, rushing forward to help as they broke down the walls which had confined them for their entire lives.

I turned to embrace Callie, my heart singing at the sight of seeing our people freed at long last.

“I wish Dad was here,” I whispered and Callie nodded against my shoulder.

“I’m sure he’s watching,” she breathed. “Now we know about the afterlife, I’m more certain than ever that he can see us.”

I blinked back tears, drawing away from her as Magnar slid an arm around her shoulders.

Erik approached and I bit down on my lip as a secret grew on my lips. One I’d been hiding until I was sure it was true. And he’d been so busy lately with work, we’d hardly spoken of anything else but how the new world was going to look. He longed for my input and listened to every word I spoke of the way I wished the world to be. I didn’t know if my musings were really good enough to be put into practice, but he seemed to think so. And he’d soon announced Callie and I as ambassadors for the Realms. In the coming days, we’d listen to the people and try to bridge the gap between the once-vampires and the mortals. In time, I hoped it would work. But right now, there was only one thing on my mind.

I took Erik’s hand, overjoyed by this incredible day and sure now was the moment I wanted to voice what was circling in my mind. I drew him deeper into the Realm, passing down streets I knew as well as my own pulse. I located my old apartment block, marvelling at how the structure had changed. Newly painted, the broken windows fixed, even a new door in place of the one that had always swollen shut in the rain.

My eyes pooled with tears as I gazed up at it, wishing it could have been this way when I’d grown up here.

“Do you want to go inside?” Erik asked, pushing a lock of my hair behind my ear.

I shook my head, turning to him and taking his hands. “My past lives in there,” I whispered. “And I’m ready for my future now. Our future.”

He smirked, leaning in for a kiss, but I pressed a hand to his chest to hold him back.

“Are you ready for the future Erik?” I asked, a teasing smile on my lips.

“Yes,” he growled, hounding forward so my back pressed to the wall. His fingers skated down my hips and butterflies danced in my stomach. Weeks of sickness and the small swell in my belly had confirmed this truth to me just days ago. I took his hand, placing it on my stomach, anticipation rolling through me at his reaction.

“Are you sure?” I breathed. “Because your future is ready for you.”

His eyes widened as he realised what I meant and his gaze fell to my stomach with a look of awe.

“You mean…?” he asked, hope shining from his expression and I nodded as tears of joy slid down my cheeks.

He kissed me and all the happiness in the universe seemed to meet at the place our lips joined. He tugged me against him, wrapping his arms around me. I soaked in the feeling of his embrace: the safest place in the world.

We didn’t have a home yet, but I knew we’d find one. Somewhere our child would grow up and live a free life, where Erik and I would spend countless hours in each other’s company, and where every day would be lived to its fullest. Months and years stretched out ahead of us, ready to offer us all we ever could have dreamed of. And I bathed in that dream, clinging to it with my heart beaming and my body trembling.

I’m ready to live.