Second Epilogue

Elanor

No shroud of anxiety haunts my steps as I cross the palace courtyard. No phantom fears stir in my chest as the sole of my boot hits the paving stones. No impending doom claws at me as each step reverberates in my feet, confirming what I already know.

I’m home, where I belong.

My shoulders relaxed, I keep going as a soft breeze blows at my back, carrying Averion’s afternoon heat.

The muscles in my arm tense when I push the double doors open, but my body remains free of lingering pain, as does my soul. The constant ache of regret and mourning is gone, leaving me at peace.

My gaze lands on my hands, free of scars and blood—another confirmation I’m where I intended to be.

The spirit world always left me torn, my soul split between two places as strings pulled my core in opposite directions, my memories in a haze, but this place doesn’t.

As I climb the steps leading to the building’s entrance, the faithful remembrance of my mortal years accompanies me. From Airdan’s last moments to the dark fire devouring everyone in its path, including its host. Instead of fighting grief, I had to let it break me so I could let go, and I did. After draping myself in my rage to shield against life’s assaults, I finally understood that my emotions were never my enemy. The corners of my lips lift into a smile as I picture Vesta rolling her eyes at me for taking this long to learn my lesson. I won’t hear the end of it when I see her again, hopefully not for a very long time.

Keeping a steady pace, I enter the palace and make for the throne room to fulfill a promise I made.

Eagerness takes my heart as I walk through the empty corridors which once buzzed with activity. Empty chairs stand guard as the paintings’ faded gazes track my steps. Life has no place in my realm, but it’s the dead I seek.

Crossing the threshold of the throne room, I pause before the dais, my eyes sweeping over the tapestries lining the walls. Azran is there, victorious on the battlefield, his long hair flowing behind his back and Dagrassaeb in hand—a pale reflection of his true being that won’t satisfy the urge blooming in my heart.

Turning on my heels, I make for the stairway and climb the steps two at a time, impatience flaring in every part of my being.

His office comes into view, and I swing the door open.

My breath hitches in my throat as I let my steps guide me. My fingers glide over the back of the leather couch. Everything is as we left it, except for the firewood crackling in the hearth behind the desk, casting warmth to the room. These walls witnessed my wrath more times than I can recall, but also his infinite patience with me.

Spinning around, my eyes scan each piece of furniture before halting on the fireplace where flames lick crisp logs, coals not yet formed under the fresh-split timber.

A small smile tugs my lips as I leave, following the clues he’s leaving me.

Breaking into a run, I leap down the stairs, step after step, to reach his room. Resolve settles as I pause before his door, ready to end this chase.

Twisting the knob, I send the door crashing against the wall. Disappointment twists in my gut. The bed is made, its linen covers neatly arranged and pillows fluffed.

My heart pounds as doubt courses my veins, before a new theory forms.

Taking a deep breath, his scent fills my senses in confirmation.

He’s making me retrace our steps, every place we were together in, every piece of furniture we painted with our love, and I know his next stop.

Hurrying out of the room, I aim for the one down the hall—my bedroom.

This time, I creak the door open and sneak in, determined not to let him escape. I’m done playing games.

I edge inside, searching for any stirring shadows offering signs of life, but the chamber remains untouched like the rest of the palace.

Blowing air out of my nose in a huff, I cross the empty room to stare out of the window and look for another clue. My heart sinks. He should be here.

My pulse quickens with the eerie silence around me as I contemplate this place, which held the only birthday celebration to ever mean something to me. My walls started crumbling that night, loneliness losing its bitter edge as he handed me his gift. Our true beginning unfurled here as I discovered another soul that could understand and heal mine.

My heart leaps to my throat when the door swings shut. Whipping my head around, I raise my shaky hands into fists as I stare at it.

Something lurks here, or someone.

“Show yourself,” I say, mustering my sharpest tone to hide my nerves and the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

My heart pounds fiercely against my breastbone and my breaths emerge short and quick as a shape takes form.

Goosebumps prickle my arms when a tall warrior steps out of thin air, his face blurred.

I squint, trying to see through the illusion hiding his features before reaching for my sword.

My fingers grasp at air, and I realize too late Nahtar is not sheathed on my back. I got so used to carrying it everywhere I go, it didn’t occur to me I couldn’t bring it to Death’s realm.

Widening my stance slightly, I lower both fists to my sides, waiting.

A draft stirs in the sealed room, though its windows remain closed, chasing away the fog covering the faceless warrior.

A horned mask of bones meets my stare, and my stomach drops.

I haven’t forgotten our last encounter in Daenia, nor the dreams he used to haunt.

“War,” I greet him as I ready myself, raising my arms before me.

He stalks towards me in response, his eyes still hidden behind the bone mask, and I meet each move with a step backwards, until my back touches the window.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, unable to hide the tremble in my voice as he takes atrociously slow steps.

Glancing around the room for an escape, I barely hear his answer.

“I came to find you.”

I freeze, his voice penetrating the fear clouding my eyes like fire tunneling through ice.

A gasp tears from my throat as the mask disappears, revealing his chiseled face and hazel eyes.

“There’s nowhere you can go that I won’t be with you, little one.”

Azran’s strong brow and piercing eyes dispel the ether and I stand dumbstruck as his silhouette solidifies into beloved form. Relief wars with doubt as his footsteps echo off stone.

He stops a few feet from me and extends his arm towards me. Staggering reality clashes against frantic dreams as I uncurl the fingers in my palms and raise a shaky hand to meet his.

Time suspends as my fingers graze his skin, caressing his palm before wrapping around his forearm. His grip tightens on my wrist and water pools in my eyes.

“You’re here,” I breathe out as tears roll, tracing a cold path down my flushed cheeks.

When my gaze meets his, its familiar fiery warmth sets my soul alight and everything falls into place. My heartbeat settles, fear’s desperate race giving way to calm at the devotion burning in his hazel stare, the eyes I both warred against and learned to trust. Home is no longer a place, but his presence by my side.

His other hand encircles my waist as I wrap desperate arms around his back, squeezing with all my might, fingers pressing into the woven fabric of his shirt.

Gathered in his arms, I nestle against his chest, feeling the heat radiating off his strong body.

“You found me.” His scent envelops me as he answers, and I am whole again.

Azran withdraws just enough to cup my cheek and I lean into his hand.

“Both made from the same mold, we were always meant to find each other.”

His breath brushes my face and I can barely tear my gaze from his lips to look into loving eyes.

“Did you know?” I ask.

“I suspected my destiny when yours was revealed, though I merely toyed with the idea at the time. All I knew was that I needed to be by your side.”

His thumb caresses my skin and I press a kiss to his palm.

“I never thought it would hurt this much. Loosing you again was—“

I screw my eyes closed, unable to finish the sentence as distant echoes of the pain assault my mind.

“How did it end?” he asks, his jaw clenching tightly.

I shake my head before answering.

“Airdan is defeated and I am here now. That’s all that matters.”

Refusing to stir ghosts of the past, I bring my face closer to his until our lips touch. His mouth brushes over mine gently before pressing with renewed eagerness, and I sink into his kiss.

My arms wrap around his neck as his land on my hips, pulling me against him.

With a touch, the horrors of our lives disappear, leaving only our enduring bond that even mortality couldn’t sever. I will never tire of his arms, and eternity won’t be long enough to quench my thirst for him.

Azran leans subtly back to whisper against my mouth.

“Let’s go, love.”

I steal another kiss, unable to tear myself from him.

“Go where?” I ask, tightening my hold around his neck. A smile blooms on his handsome face.

“Did I not tell you I have big plans for us?”

I cock a brow, not moving an inch until I get an answer.

“The Blue Mountain. I want to show you where it all began.”

Letting go, I take his extended hand, intertwining my fingers with his as I let him guide me to the stables.

Moments later, we’re riding side-by-side through the vibrant plains surrounding Averion. A beaming smile hurts my cheeks. My chest expands tenfold in a useless attempt to contain the explosion of bliss coursing through my body.

Finally, I stand unencumbered—no duties, grief, or anxiety cling as oppressive shackles now.

The wind hits my face with each gallop of the horse, and I glance again and again at my mate, hardly able to believe the painful longing is over, for good.

After so much loss and heartache, so many moments I thought my world was ending, the future stretches ahead, filled with promises of passion, partnership, and the quiet moments of joy that come with a hard-won love.

The difficult choices, gut-wrenching sacrifices, and tears shed were all worth it. With him next to me as we ride the rolling plains, the hardships melt away, and instead of loneliness and uncertainty, my future now holds his wide smile, strong embrace, and absolute devotion.

My heart soars, giddiness bubbling up and spilling out in exhilarated laughter.

Destined to be one, we fought our way to each other. Side-by-side, we conquered everything life threw our way, even death, and there will be no separating us now.

A horned warrior rides alongside another made of darkness and light.

Children of War and Death.

The Prince of Bloodshed and the Daughter of Darkness.

Reunited in the afterlife and together for all eternity.