by Lisa Cassidy
“Speaking of, where is my brother?” Alyx asked Jayn.
“They’ll be here in moment, I’m sure. I sent a message over to the Egalion mansion before coming out to meet you.”
Sure enough, Dawn appeared shortly after, hesitating at the door and clearly unsure as to who to hug first. Eventually, she decided on Brynn, who beamed at all the attention. Alyx was grinning stupidly at the sight when her brother’s gruff voice sounded and she found herself hauled into his arms.
“Aly-girl.”
“Big brother.” She hugged him fiercely. “It’s good to see you.”
“And you.”
Tarrick clapped his hands and went for the door. “Such a reunion needs ale!”
“Get some snacks too,” Finn called after him.
An hour later, Alyx wandered through the palace gardens, a small smile on her face. She was lost in thought, and so it took her a few moments before she recognised the familiar figure seated on a bench seat by a tinkling fountain.
Curious, she went to join him. “Is this seat taken?”
Rothai turned to her, then shrugged slightly. “Not at all.”
She sat down, quiet for a moment as she enjoyed the peace of the garden and the sweet scent of flowers. The sun was warm on her back, and a slight breeze toyed with the tendrils of hair that had escaped her braid.
“I was wondering where you’d gotten to,” she said at last.
“I heard Brynn was awake. I didn’t want to intrude,” he replied. “I figured you wouldn’t be leaving for a couple of days at least.”
Alyx smiled. “I’ll be leaving for Karonan with Dash soon.”
“So this is it? You’re no longer the Magor-lier?”
“That’s right. I’m now the new head of Temari Hall.”
“A fitting name,” he said quietly.
Alyx’s mouth quirked in a smile. “I thought it was appropriate. What will you do now, Rothai? I remember you promising to keep an eye on me to make sure I don’t turn into another Shakar.”
“Actually, I thought I might try farming.”
Alyx stared at him in astonishment. “You’re serious?”
Rothai shrugged. “Ever since we met, Alyx Egalion, you’ve been a means to an end, the only way to destroy the monster that killed my family. I did whatever it took to make sure you were able to defeat Shakar, and I tried desperately to keep you from becoming him.”
“I know, I was there,” she said dryly.
He glanced down at his hands. “Somewhere along the way I finally learned to trust you. You will do good things for the mage order. And I think, after everything I’ve done, the best thing I can do is to go and leave you to live your life.”
“You could contribute to the new mage order too. You’re one of my strongest warrior mages.”
“No. I’m done with the mage life. I want some peace. My sister still lives in Serrin, and I’m going to go home and help her family run our farm.”
“That’s good.” Alyx smiled again. “Because there’s no way I was going to let you teach at my new school.”
He looked up at her, startled, then burst into laughter, astonishing her.
“I’ve never seen you laugh before.”
“I think it’s about time I learned.” Rothai stood. “Allow me to properly apologise to you, Alyx.”
“Apology accepted, Rothai. Go and be happy.”
He nodded, smiled slightly, and walked away.
Alyx watched him go until the arrival of Dashan caught her attention. Smiling, she rose from the bench seat and walked down the hill to meet him.
“Alyx.” He pulled her close before swinging her high into the air. “I missed you.”
“Me too.” She laughed as he put her back down. “No more. I’m with you to stay now.”
“I very much like the sound of that,” he said, leaning down to kiss her softly.
“I love you,” she murmured into his chest.
He released her eventually, stepping back a little and taking both her hands in his. His dark Shiven eyes were serious on hers. “I promised I would ask properly, so here goes. Lady Alyx Egalion. How do you feel about marrying a penniless Taliath?”
She bit her lip, tears welling unexpectedly in her eyes. After so long, after all the pain and heartache and lingering grief, Dashan Caverlock was standing in front of her and asking her to marry him. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Good,” he murmured, voice hoarse. “That’s very good.”
He kissed her, pulling her close while she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. I’m betrothed to Dashan Caverlock. Her heart sang.
“Now.” He cleared his throat, pulling back a little, eyes dancing. “How about we get married, now, before we go to Karonan?”
“Now?”
“Well, maybe tomorrow. While all our friends are here together.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You think we can get a state wedding organised by tomorrow?”
“Oh no,” he murmured, kissing her. “We discussed this. Ten guests maximum.”
“Ten people?” She kissed him back, tracing her fingers over his shirt.
“It’s a perfect number.” He dropped kisses down her neck. “Brynn, Sarah, Cayr, Jenna, Ladan, Dawn…”
She laughed and pulled away from him. “Jayn, Finn, and Tarrick? You’re one short, Dash. And what about Casta and Tijer and the others?”
“I’ve never been good at math.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “But what do you say?”
She grinned at him. “I say yes.”
“What are you two grinning about?” Alyx looked up as Cayr came walking down one of the paths towards them. He had one hand in his pocket, his blonde hair tousled and a touch too long as always.
“Cayr!” Dashan said in delight, reaching out to clap him soundly on the back.
“I’ve missed you.” Alyx hugged him.
“Me too,” Cayr said. “I love my life; since Shakar was defeated, I can barely believe sometimes how happy and content I am, but I miss the three of us together.”
“I don’t think we could ever have imagined, growing up together as children, how our lives would turn out,” Dashan murmured.
“I think we’ll be connected always,” Alyx said. “So the two of you need to make sure you have plenty of state visits.”
“Well, I don’t know about that.” Cayr smiled as he slung one arm around Dashan and the other around Alyx, and the three of them began strolling down the path. “I’m slightly afraid that I’ll run out of the royal store of ale if I invite Dashan and his Shiven here.”
“I’m taking offence to that.” Dashan sniffed. “Besides, if you bring your fancy royal court to Karonan, we’re likely to run out of the velvet carpet you and your nobles like so much.”
Cayr laughed, then stopped. “Isn’t that the tree you challenged Alyx to climb when we were kids?”
“The one I fell out of?” Alyx said dryly. “Yes, I think it is.”
“Bet I could beat you up it,” Dashan said to Cayr slyly.
Cayr raised his eyebrows. “Is that so? I remember winning most of our races up that tree, my friend.”
“Right, that’s a challenge.” Dashan began rolling up his sleeves.
Alyx laughed as Cayr determinedly began rolling up his own sleeves, then watched in amusement, as—keeping up a steady stream of good-natured bickering—Dashan and Cayr ran for the tree and began climbing up it.
Her mind flashed back to a bright sunny day just like this when they were children. She saw Dashan’s young face, his Shiven eyes dark and sparkling as he laughed and followed a tousle-headed Cayr up the tree. She saw herself too, seven years old, green eyes and a serious face, breaking out into delighted clapping as Cayr beat Dashan to the top.
The memory faded, and Alyx began clapping in echo of that perfect day as a fully grown Cayr beat Dashan to the top by a mere fingertip.
Here ends the Mage Chronicles
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Acknowledgments
It’s hard to believe The Mage Chronicles has come to an end. When I started my self-publishing journey in early 2016, even then I didn’t quite imagine I’d be releasing the final book of my first series in mid-2018. This story came together over several years, starting when I was about twenty, and it has absolutely been a labour of love. While Dashan Caverlock will always be one of my favourite characters I’ve ever written, in the end, with this story, Cario Duneskal snuck up on me. Farewell, Cario—you were both mine and Alyx’s favourite.
My little story wouldn’t have turned into real, live books without a lot of help along the way. To both editors who worked on the first books in the series, and particularly Naomi Hughes who brought it all the way home—this story is the best it can be because of your help. To Francis, you did a wonderful job proof reading and I’ll always be grateful. And to Mark and Lorna at Author Packages who did my cover design and interior formatting—you’re a great team. The books look amazing, and that’s down to your enthusiastic and highly skilled work.
Finally and most importantly – to my close family and friends. I’ve never once heard a word from any of you that isn’t one hundred per cent supportive. Crazily, every single one of you genuinely believes I can be successful at this and you don’t hesitate to tell me regularly. I won’t ever forget it. A special mention to Mama and Pops (boy did I luck out with parents!) and the Tate House team (we’re a tiny team of three but I honestly wouldn’t be here without you), but also my friends SD, Levie, Cyndi, Steph, Myf, Dane, Jamie, Evie, Brett, Petey, Sarah, Silpa, Kevin and Francis. You guys are the best.
About the Author
Lisa Cassidy was born in Melbourne, Australia, but now lives in the nation’s capital – Canberra. While she mostly sticks to novel-length fantasy, she occasionally likes to break out with short stories on random things like unicorns and ninjas.
When not writing, you’ll likely catch her enthusiastically spectating a basketball game (#NewYorkKnickForLife), drinking buckets of coffee, or…well, who is she kidding...writing!
You can follow Lisa on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook – she loves to talk to her readers! Also make sure you check out her website, where you can sign up for her mailing list and get spoilers, bonus content and advance info on all her new books!
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