Epilogue

Tori's gown was almost as gorgeous as her. Layers of lace and gauzy fabric had been draped over her shoulders and gathered below her ribs before flaring out into a train longer than a man was tall. The craftswomen had spent hours on the fabric alone, and I knew Tori had compensated them handsomely. I'd offered her any gems she wanted, but she had used them as payment, except for one emerald she had placed over her heart. It was a far simpler gown than any other queen had ever worn to her coronation, but it suited her perfectly.

Shespun around as I entered our room and scrunched her face at me. "I thought in Xyr's traditions it's bad luck to see me before the ceremony begins?"

"What is life without a little risk, little bird?" I swept her up in my arms and kissed her.

Anirritated grunt sounded to my left, "Excuse me, but we have a timetable to keep here, YourMajesty," Pallas said, wearing a very unamused expression.

"Oh, let them be, Pallas." Jun wrapped his arm around the irritable woman, and she deferred, her expression still one of annoyance. "We are done anyway. Let's give them a minute." Jun led her out of the room before. Before he closed the door, he stuck his head back in and gave me a poignant stare and instructed, "One minute."

Ilaughed and waved him off before returning my gaze to my bride. "You are more lovely than Life herself, little bird."

Shesmiled, her eyes twinkling. "Quite the compliment. She looks like the kind who could leave a few scars."

Ichuckled and placed one more kiss on her forehead.

"What's in the box, Abraxas?" She eyed the package I had hidden behind my back.

"You know I always liked you in a crown." I opened it to reveal a dark metal tiara that mimicked the shape of my horns, but I had emeralds and diamonds to compliment the rest of her coronation jewelry. I placed it on her head, the weight pressing into her hair before she gave me a spin.

"So, what do you think?"

"Ravishing. Much more beautiful than mine." She reached up and ran a finger along the length of one of my horns, and I shivered.

Shegave a wicked smile. "I liked these from the first time I saw them." She gently tugged on them and pulled me into a deep kiss, but our minute was up.

"Time to go, my Queen."

All of Xyr had gathered on the cliffs overlooking the sea. The celebration had begun early in the morning, and the crowd was raucous and mostly drunk. However, as Tori and I stepped up to the edge of that haunted place, silence fell.

Junstood on Tori's other side, and she took his hand. They glowed a soft white.

Forfive hundred years, the earth had been scorched and barren here. Tori and Jun's power allowed it to be reborn. Tendrils of white light poked up through the earth, followed by thousands of blades of grass. Their green blades danced in the autumn breeze, reflecting the setting sun's light. Tori released Jun's hand and took mine.

"Ready?"

Itook her hand and stepped onto that land that had been nothing but a curse. As my steps left footprints in the fresh grass, I felt nothing but elation.

Wewalked to the small shrine at the cliff's edge, and the crowd followed behind us. Jun stood above us on the stone landing as Avlyn and Tori's cohort pushed themselves to the front of the crowd. EvenPallas was present, her hand in Avlyn's.

"Oi, shut up!" Avlyn shouted over the crowd, and slowly, the noise died down to a low simmer.

Weboth looked to Jun, whose eyes were alit with tears but whose smile was as bright as Tori's.

"Tori, do you take Abraxas to be yours until the breaking of the world, or you know, maybe a bit after that?" Jun chuckled.

"I do." She smiled, and it was like the light of a thousand dawns.

"And do you, Abraxas, take Tori to be your queen and wife from now until the end of all things?"

Ilet my fangs show as I smiled at her. "I do. Not even the end of the world would keep me away from you."

"Just kiss, you idiots!" Avlyn shouted from the crowd, and several agreeable whoops followed behind them.

"You heard them." Tori smirked at me.

Iwrapped my arm behind her back and dipped her low as my lips pressed into hers as the entire crowd erupted into deafening cheers.

Iheld her there just as long as I dared before standing her back up and facing her towards the crowd.

"Presenting, KingAbraxas and QueenToriCorignus. Long may they reign."

Thecrowd's din was so loud it shook the very earth. Tankards clashed, and bodies met all throughout the unending horde. Tori leaned into me, and I held her close.

"You really will never be rid of me now, husband."

"You are mine, little bird. Mine to cherish, mine to revere and worship, from this day until the end of all things." I kissed her once more.

Overeverything, I could just barely hear Jun's soft singing, his voice a celestial bridge between us and the brand new evening star.

Beneath the amber cascade of setting sun"s glow,

At twilight"s end and dawn"s first show,

Stood Life and Death, a paradox spun,

In an eternal waltz, their dance just begun.

Life, in her gown of blossoming dawn,

Radiant as morning's first golden yawn,

She breathes the promise of springtime leaves,

A renewal dance, where time never grieves.

Death, in his cloak as dark as night's reign,

Guardian of silent realms, peace to sustain,

His touch whispers change, not an end, but anew,

Guiding stars, their path forward and true.

Together, they step to the rhythm of hearts,

The horizon blushes as unity starts,

In their eyes, an eternal promise shines bright,

The cosmos watches with ancient light.

As the world turns beneath skies stardust-sown,

They promise in silence where universes are grown,

"To love from this twilight through all ages' turns,

Until all worlds fall apart and the sky burns."