Forevermore

ASTERIA

" H ello, little witch." Thanasim's voice was a purr against her ear, rousing her from slumber. "Our guests will be arriving soon."

Asteria stretched, peace like molten gold flooding her veins. "I'm excited."

Thanasim chuckled, the sound rumbling like thunder through their bedroom. "Because you're a masochist."

"I'm a romantic."

"Mmhmm." He kissed her forehead and rose. He barely had his pants on before Sorscha burst through the door.

"How many times must we tell you to knock , Sorscha?" he spat, not nearly as irritated as he pretended to be.

"Fuck off, Lord Night." She waved her fingers at him dismissively, hopping into the bed beside her Sister .

Thanasim mumbled curses and something about finding Gaius.

Winnie came in next, arm-in-arm with Lilette. That had been the most beautiful reunion of them all to bear witness to.

Belfry came next, dragging a sleepy Anne in by the arm.

Lorelai and Seleste entered then, doling out kisses and flowers.

"Party planning gang is all here!" Sorscha cheered.

"Almost!" Tindle shouted from the hall, Dimitri laughing next to him. "How dare you forget me."

Their manor glittered and glowed, all bedimmed, glistening hues and warm lamplight.

Dulci, Lorelai, and Seleste had prepared an absolute feast.

Her heart was full as she watched Arielle and Gaius dance, their four grown children teasing them. As Cal pried a serving spoon from Seleste's grip and dragged her onto the dance floor, holding her close as they swayed.

When Seleste arrived in the Afterlife, Cal had been standing there, waiting. Wringing his hands and straightening his waistcoat. It was one of the most beautiful things Asteria had ever had the pleasure of seeing. And she thanked Cal at regular intervals for allowing her to be there when they reunited in a flood of joy.

Talan and Hissa were hand-in-hand in the middle of the room, twirling so quickly they were a blur.

Monarch spoke to Arielle with such animation it was as if they didn't speak daily. Which, of course, they did. That had been a sweet, sweet friendship to see blossom .

Eleanor and her daughter were laughing hysterically at something Tomás had done.

Asa and Laurent drank merrily off to one side, goading Thanasim into displaying tricks with his power when he wasn't twirling Lorelai across the dance floor. That was, when Ambrose wasn't the one doing the twirling of his wife.

There was no time there in the Afterlife. How long they spent gathered could have been moons, years.

Eventually, though. Thanasim silently came and took her waist, pulling her to the stairs, drink in hand. He raised his glass, and everyone else followed suit.

"To our Living Memorial! Thank you all for coming."

" Boooo ," Tindle yelled, and they all laughed. "How many times are we going to do this? This is number four isn't it?"

"Don't listen to him!" Sorscha shouted. "We'll miss you!"

"How can you be bored, already?" This from Winnie. "It's only been fifty years this time."

"How do you even know that?" Sorscha griped. "Time is relative now."

The two of them began to bicker.

Seleste raised her glass high. "We will wait for you."

Asteria and Thanasim stood before the Goddess Three, fingers intertwined.

"You"

"Are"

"Certain?"

But She was grinning, all three. Mother, Maiden, and Crone. She knew how Her beloveds ticked .

Asteria and Thanasim nodded in unison.

"Very"

"Well"

"Then"

Thanasim held up a finger. "Make it difficult this time." And he winked at his little witch. "I will always find you."

THE END