Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Bastien

Yes, he could finally admit that his life had turned out perfectly. Many years had been wasted by war, and several weeks by his own fears and stubbornness, but at long last, Thalia was his wife.

The ceremony was held in a shaded glen outside the Clairmont town limits. No longer in need of a protective cloak, it stood now as a beacon city for those who wanted to migrate south.

Laina Mercea performed the exchange of vows, which Thalia and Bastien kept short as their deepest feelings were something only the two of them shared with each other. Words aside, however, their actions proclaimed to everyone that they were deeply in love. He’d hardly been able to stop looking at or touching her since the day they reclaimed Kestevayne from Ferelith.

With her devoted either killed or imprisoned, work on restoring the damage to the city was underway. Bastien and Thalia would be moving into the royal apartments after an extended honeymoon.

Thalia’s choice… back to Wyoming.

All she had to say was, “Bastien, I want you to make love to me under the low-hanging stars,” and he packed his bags.

It would be more than a honeymoon, though. She would be working to sell the ranch as her place was in Vyronas now, but she wanted her land to go to the right person. Bastien anticipated trips back and forth until that was completed, but for now, he was looking forward to uninterrupted time with her.

Not only to spend as much time gorging himself on that beautiful body of hers, but truly, he wanted to build new memories to fill their seven-year gap.

He also wanted to get started on building a family, and he knew Thalia wanted that too. They had that conversation last night, so with some luck, there would be the sound of tiny running feet in the palace sooner rather than later.

Right now, though, it was time to celebrate. Since their vows over two hours ago, the party had been going strong. The sun had set, and the moon cast rose-colored shadows along the tents that had been strung with magical fairy lights, the tables inside loaded with food and drink. Musicians played traditional but lively songs that everyone danced to.

At that very moment, Bastien enjoyed watching his wife teach a jig to one of the very shy soldiers she forced out onto the dewy grass with her. Her long hair flowed down her back, her gown made of simple cotton with thin straps at her tanned shoulders and gauzy folds around her calves. She was barefoot and wore a crown of flowers, and he’d never seen anything lovelier in his entire life.

A hand clapped down on Bastien’s shoulder, and he turned to see Amell standing beside him. Decked out in dark green leather from head to toe, his inky-black wings glistened in the sparkling lights. His true identity was still a secret, and the citizens of Vyronas only knew him as a “friendly” Dark Fae. Bastien’s respect for Amell had increased when he’d insisted Thalia keep their relationship a secret, as he wanted nothing to sully the memory and respect of Queen Selena. Many would never understand what she’d done.

So, for now—and always—he would just be a friend to the Clairmont family. It’s why he did not give Thalia away during the ceremony but rather entrusted the duty to Heph.

“Congratulations, son,” Amell said with a grin.

Bastien side-eyed a glare at him but couldn’t help his smile. “I refuse to call you Father.”

“I’d kill you if you did,” the king quipped back.

They watched in silence as Thalia danced with the poor soldier who looked like he’d rather be battling a horde of erchras, given the choice.

“She’s happy,” Amell said, his fondness evident in his voice.

“I’ll keep her that way,” Bastien replied, not taking his attention off his wife.

“Son of a bitch,” Amell growled, and Bastien turned his way. Amell stared over at Kieran who stood under a tree heavy with glowing lanterns, a tankard of ale in hand while talking to another man.

No… not a man.

A demigod.

Maddox. He was the one who first approached Bastien in the Garden of the Gods weeks ago. The one who’d put Thalia in danger by taking her ring that had kept her hidden from Ferelith for years.

“You know him?” Bastien asked Amell.

“A pity, but yes.” Amell gave one last withering look at the demigod and groused, “I’m going to ask my daughter to dance.”

“Make it fast,” Bastien said. “I’d like some time with my wife.”

Amell flashed his own grin—evil at its core—and it basically told Bastien he’d be occupying lots of Thalia’s time tonight and to get used to it.

With a sigh, Bastien headed over to his brother who seemed to be listening intently to Maddox. As he approached, the immortal lifted his chin in greeting.

“Congratulations on your nuptials. Veda sends her greetings, and I believe her words were, ‘I told you so.’”

Confused for only a moment, Bastien recalled what Maddox had told him when they first met. Veda had passed along a message for him to not give up on love.

Bastien vowed silently to himself he’d never again doubt one of the gods.

“And you’ve come to pass along those well wishes?” Bastien asked skeptically.

Maddox shrugged, looking across the way to where Amell danced with Thalia. The dark angel looked ridiculous trying to keep up with her, but Bastien found within him a certain fondness for the evil bastard.

“I’ve come for a few reasons,” Maddox said, bringing his regard back to Bastien. “Well wishes, for one. To pass along Veda’s message for another.”

“Sounds like there’s a third,” Bastien prodded.

The demigod’s gaze went back to Amell.

Or was he looking at Thalia?

Bastien stepped to the side and put himself between Maddox and the dancing father-daughter duo, cutting off his view. “What do you want?” he demanded.

Maddox nodded toward the fallen angel. “I’m here for Amell. He has to answer for his interference in the war with Ferelith.”

“Answer how?” Bastien asked through gritted teeth. His hand went for the hilt of his sword, only to curse silently because they were at peace—and at his wedding reception—and he wasn’t wearing a weapon.

“Easy, warrior,” Maddox said in a low voice. “I don’t want to hurt you on your wedding day.”

Kieran frowned and moved toward his brother. “If you want Amell, you’ll have to go through both of us.”

“I could go through both of you with a flick of my wrist,” Maddox replied with a grin. “But Amell won’t disregard the call of the gods. He’ll come with me, and there won’t be any trouble. If you don’t believe me, ask him yourself.”

Maddox nodded at something behind Bastien and Kieran, and the men turned to see Amell approaching with Thalia hot on his heels.

“What are you doing here?” Amell asked as he joined the group.

“Zora desires a word,” Maddox replied easily.

Amell scoffed. “Then Zora can damn well come talk to me herself.”

Kieran took a step back and muttered, “Someone’s about to be smote.”

“What’s going on?” Thalia demanded, taking her father’s arm and turning him toward her. “Why does Zora want to speak to you?”

“It’s not important,” Amell said, placing his hands on Thalia’s shoulders.

“Are you going to be punished for helping me?” she asked, her voice edgy.

Amell leaned in and kissed her forehead, then pushed her back into Bastien’s arms.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, and then looked to Maddox with undisguised loathing. “Let’s do this.”

Thalia didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye before Amell and Maddox disappeared. Presumably to see Zora, the god of Life, who Amell answers to in his role as king of the Underworld.

“He’ll be fine,” Bastien assured his wife with an arm around her shoulders. He gave her a squeeze.

“How do you know?” she asked.

“Because he said he would be, and I trust him.” It didn’t pain Bastien to admit that out loud. “And so do you.”

Thalia smiled and nodded. “You’re right.”

“That Maddox is an interesting fellow,” Kieran observed. “Clearly, there’s no love lost between those two immortals.”

“Clearly,” Bastien agreed. He truly hoped Amell wouldn’t suffer too much. “But the night is young, my wife has danced with far too many people who aren’t her husband, and I’d like some alone time with her.”

Thalia laughed as Bastien led her away, not toward the musicians and the other folks frolicking, but into a copse of pressian trees that, while a bit dim as they blocked out the moonlight, still provided a magical atmosphere with their glowing leaves.

They walked hand in hand, silently, and then Bastien said, “It seems odd to be this happy. Years of war and death and… emptiness. I’m filled now with so many good things, it just… takes some getting used to.”

Thalia squeezed his hand, leaned in, and wrapped her other around his bicep as they strolled. They reached an area where the branches of the pressians didn’t meet and a sliver of pink light came through. Bastien halted, turned her toward him, and marveled at how the lighting made her look otherworldly.

But then again, she was to him in all ways so much more than this world had to offer.

Thalia tipped her head back, pink moon sparkles reflecting in her eyes. “Want to know what’s odd?”

His arms went around her waist. “What’s that?”

“When I was in Wyoming, I always felt something was missing. I had an emptiness inside me. I always attributed it to my parents being dead—or at least the memory that was created for me. But when my memories were returned, and I realized the truth of what happened… that I had lost you… I realized that emptiness was because of that.

“It was a different feeling when my true memories of my parents returned. I think even across time, distance, dimensions, and false memories, a deep part of me still always felt the loss of you.”

Bastien took her face in his palms and bent to kiss her softly. “I think that means a love like ours can’t be extinguished. Damaged, perhaps. Lost, even. But never extinguished.”

“Never,” she agreed fiercely.

Bastien took her mouth again, and this time it was full of years of lost passion he needed to reclaim. Thalia was breathless when he lifted but managed to ask, “Do you think it would be rude for us to leave for Wyoming now so we can start the honeymoon?”

Lips twitching with humor, he nodded. “Sadly, it would be rude. People will want to celebrate with us until dawn.”

“Rats,” Thalia said through pouty lips. “I’ve been thinking about a dozen different dirty thing we might try—”

The kiss Bastien gave her knocked her senseless, and then the world tilted as he bent distance and transported them to his cottage back in town. “It’s rude to leave for the honeymoon now, but no one is going to begrudge us sneaking off for an hour.”

Thalia beamed at him, and it was now his turn to be breathless from that one grace she gave him. In fact, he could look at her smile for hours and be satisfied.

Somewhat.

He glanced back to the bed, picked up his wife, and carried her there. The smile was great and all, but he really would rather start the honeymoon a bit early.

So he kissed her again and…

As king of the Underworld, Amell serves at the command Zora, the god of Life, and therefore death. He has to operate within her canons as he decides the fate of recently departed souls. He’s not supposed to get involved with them, merely direct them where to go. But even kings who serve at the whim of gods will break the rules every now and then. CLICK HERE for details on The Midnight Realm, a standalone romantic fantasy novel about unexpected redemption within The Chronicles of the Stone Veil series, releasing January 3, 2023.

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About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

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