by Jaymin Eve
I couldn’t speak, my throat clogged with emotions, so I just nodded.
Daniel stepped over to the edge of the justices, leaning out very far over the tree-filled land below. Light spread out from his hands, starting small, before it shimmered all the way down the huge cascading steps.
The beam got wider and longer, and when Daniel dropped his hand, the light did not disappear.
“Redemption time,” he said, before he sat down on the beam and pushed off.
“A giant rainbow slide … well, okay then,” I murmured as one by one everyone got on and pushed their way down the light.
When it was my turn—Xander right behind me—I dropped down, surprised to feel my body almost mold into the light. It was warm and soft, and as I started to slide, there was no out-of-control feeling, just a smooth glide all the way down. I was so fascinated with watching the lands below, trees and fire and monsters and water, that I almost missed the fact that I was closing in on the end. Luckily Daniel was there; he caught me before I could do an impressive tumble across the land. “Oh, thanks,” I said, when he set me on my feet.
“No problem. I figured most of you would be distracted.”
Not Xander. He sailed down like a boss, landing smoothly. The mood in the group was a strange mix of somber and excited as Daniel strode further into the pretty land. It was very fairy-tale-esque, with streams and green rolling hills, and that perfect warm temperature where you felt comfortable and not hot.
“There are souls here?” I asked, looking around. It seemed deserted.
“Yes,” Lexen said quietly. “But they’re not visible to us, not normally. They exist in their own version of paradise.”
Daniel, who had disappeared briefly behind some trees, reappeared then, and he wasn’t alone.
Ambra let out a choked cry, her hand going to her mouth as she ran toward them, Roland, Lexen, Star, and Jero right behind her. The rest of us let them go across first, strolling very slowly toward the group.
Marsil looked just like his brothers: dark hair, stocky build. A little shorter. A little less beautiful than Lexen but definitely still a Darken. He had his arms wrapped around Ambra; she trembled against him. “I love you, Mom,” I heard him whisper as he held her tight.
“How long do they have?” Callie asked Daniel.
“I’ll give them as much time as I can,” he replied, voice hoarse. “But there’s only so long I can draw Marsil into this realm without depleting my energy to the point of endangering my house.”
Eventually Marsil was hugged by all of his family, and the tears were flowing all around again. But there was a … happy feel to the emotion this time.
“You chose redemption,” Star said. “I’m surprised.”
Marsil grinned at her. “Do you remember Jenna—we grew up together? She was my best friend, and when she was killed in that cave-in … I haven’t felt whole since.”
“It was a freak accident, right?” Roland said, remembering.
Marsil nodded. “Yes, it was. She has always held my heart, and I hoped she was here. I chose to remain as I was in this life so that I could see her again. And all of you, if it was possible.”
Ambra sobbed, reaching forward to push her son’s hair back.
“Did you?” Star asked, her eyes bright.
“I found her,” he said, happy. “Please know that I’m content. I will wait for you to join me one day. Redemption is the perfect kind of—”
His words were cut off.
Daniel lunged forward and grabbed Marsil’s arm, stopping him from flickering away.
“I can’t hold you much longer,” Daniel warned. “Don’t talk about the afterlife. It’s not for anyone to know until it’s their time.”
Marsil nodded, before he stepped forward again and hugged his family, one by one, each of them whispering last words of goodbye. I had to step away, because I wasn’t sure I could watch this for one more moment and not sob my heart out.
“I love you,” I heard Emma say, and I turned enough to see her hugging him. “Thank you for everything. I will never forget you.”
“I love you too,” Marsil whispered. “Look after my brother. He needs someone to keep him in line.”
Lexen didn’t smile. He looked like his was gritting his teeth actually, jaw rigid, brow furrowed. He was hurting.
“It’s time,” Daniel said a few moments later. “I’m sorry.”
All of the Darkens held their hands out towards Marsil, and he did the same back. Slowly, he started to fade. Just before he disappeared completely, he said: “Oh, and there’s one last thing…”
He was gone then, but in his place two figures slowly appeared, neither of them familiar to me.
The Darkens held each other in their grief, but Daniel stepped forward, astonishment on his face. “Rao … Fraizer,” he said. “You’re both here?”
Rao? I had not recognized him at all. He looked tall and handsome, the scars completely gone from his face. He stood beside Fraizer, who was a younger, happier, hawk-haired version of Daniel.
Fraizer spoke first. “I’m so sorry I betrayed you. I just wanted to save Rao.” He turned his head toward Maya then. “I’m sorry, I hope Laous didn’t hurt you.”
Maya waved a hand at him, tears streaking down her cheeks. “I’m perfectly fine. Sorry we couldn’t save either of you.”
Fraizer shook his head, smiling broadly for the first time. “I was saved. Rao is my family, something I’ve searched for my entire life. We’re together now.”
Daniel was crying. Not in an obvious way, but I could see the glints of moisture on his cheeks. “You both made it to redemption. How could I not know this?”
Rao chuckled, which made all of us smile. “You not had much time,” he said, in broken English.
Daniel chuckled too, wiping at his face. “Yes, that’s true. I was afraid to search for your names as well. Afraid I’d try to save you from the justices.”
“Told you I was a good guy,” Fraizer said with a wink. “You just had to have faith.”
Daniel stepped forward, sucking in a deep breath. “Stick together,” he told his brothers. He reached out and pulled them closer. “I’ll see you both on the other side.”
The three hugged, a bittersweet moment, which hurt as much as it was beautiful. Then Daniel stepped back, and Fraizer faded away. Rao stayed a moment longer … just long enough to hug Callie.
“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed against him. “You tried to help me so much, and I ended up killing you.”
“Shhh,” he said gently. “Not your fault. Saved me. Thank you.”
Her tears increased, her body actually shaking as she sobbed and cried. “I’m happy,” Rao said simply, before he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Then he was gone.
Daniel caught his mate as she collapsed.
“How … how did they appear?” Lexen asked Daniel, who was lifting Callie up into his arms.
Daniel shook his head. “I have no idea. I guess there is a lot I don’t know about my world. About the justices. Maybe if I figure it out, we’ll be able to see them again. I hope so, anyway.”
Everyone was emotionally spent, that much was clear, as Daniel called for a transporter to take us back to the surface.
“Where do we go from here?” Emma asked.
“Wherever you want, baby girl,” Lexen told her. “But my first suggestion is a long vacation for us all. I mean, what’s the point of a private airplane if we don’t use it?”
“You all have to go back to school,” Roland told them, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Some of you still have to graduate high school.”
Everyone groaned except Emma, who clapped excitedly. His words had lightened the mood, and by the time Xander grabbed on to the light beam to take us home, I felt better. My chest still hurt, but it wasn’t as deep.
This was the start of the rest of our lives.
And I for one couldn’t wait.
One month later
The first morning light was j
ust cresting across the familiar sky as I kicked my legs out, staring at my ocean. My favorite time and place. I was just missing my favorite mate.
Xander would probably be pissed that I’d snuck out of bed this morning—we’d only flown in late last night—but it had been so long since I’d seen Hawaii. I couldn’t miss the first sunrise. Our vacation had taken longer than expected to get to. There was just so much that needed to be dealt with first.
But we were finally here.
I was in his pool, the ocean spread out before me. Xander owned one of the superfancy resort-style estates right along the ocean. He said we could stay here as long as we wanted. I was hoping for forever.
Royale was great, and the fact that I’d finally got to sleep under the water in our pod was all kinds of awesome, but this was my home. It didn’t help that his mother still hadn’t really warmed to me. But the Dawn situation was looking up. I finally convinced Xander to tell his parents and they went ballistic. They had her back in their pod straight away, under the excuse that she was needed for official overlord business.
Then they sent their warriors to search for the creature. So far no one had found anything, and everyone was half convinced that Donovan had already done away with it. Whether it was alive or not, there was no way any of her family was letting her go back to him, especially not now they knew she was pregnant. Something Donovan did not know. House of Royale was a world of water and drama; living amongst them was like being in a soap opera.
Which only made the peace and quiet here that much sweeter.
I was so enthralled with my ocean that I didn’t even hear Xander enter the water. It wasn’t until his arms wrapped around me, pulling us close together, that I realized he was there. “I’ve missed this place,” he said.
I nodded. “Me too. So much. I’m not sure we can ever leave.”
He laughed. “I’m good with that, especially since I have a surprise for you.”
Spinning in his arms, I smiled up at him. “Another surprise? Seriously, you don’t have to keep giving me things.”
“There are not enough things in the world for me to give you that would equal what you’ve given me,” he said seriously.
I kissed him, wrapping my legs around his waist, and realized he was wearing board shorts and held my bikini in his hands. Normally we’d swim naked, so that was a little odd.
“What’s going on?” I asked him.
“Ava!” That familiar shout from Emma sent bubbles of excitement through me.
“They’re here?” I asked breathlessly, already reaching for the bikini.
He nodded, a broad smile crossing his face. “They left a few hours after us because Daniel had some duties, but we’re all together for this vacation. One month of sun, surf, and food.”
By the time I got my swimsuit on, the pool was filled with my family, most of them dressed in their travel clothes, but they didn’t care.
Emma, Callie, Maya, and I hugged for the longest time. “I’m so happy to see you all,” I cried, pulling them in again.
“Careful,” Chase said with a laugh, reaching down to haul his mate up out of the water. “She’s a shorty and can’t touch bottom here.”
We all laughed, and Maya flipped him off. “I was perfectly fine.”
Chase kissed her cheek, and then let her go back to us. He returned to the guys, who were lounged back on the wide step.
“So, tell me everything,” I said as I leaned against the edge of the pool and lifted my face. The sun was almost fully up now. I loved the warmth across my skin.
“My safe house is up and running,” Maya started. “Chase helped me set everything up. My old nanny is managing it for me. She’s already whipped them all into line, creating a safe and warm environment for the women and children. The initial launch went so well that we’re talking about branching out to a few other cities.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Emma said, kicking her legs slowly. “You’re going to change the lives of so many women impacted by domestic violence.”
Maya’s smile was filled with genuine happiness. “It helps that my mate is a billionaire, and that he is so supportive. I never could have done this without him.”
“Those assholes really are the best things that ever happened to us,” Emma said, staring at Lexen.
“I wonder if they’d say the same thing about us?” Callie mused, shooting a half grin at Daniel. “Hey, Dan!” He turned. “What’s the best thing that ever happened to you?”
He didn’t hesitate for a moment. “You are.”
She blew him a kiss.
Xander dived under the water then and was at my side in about a second, his arms around me as he shot up, taking both of us out of the water. He caught me as we came down again, water splashing across everyone. I couldn’t stop laughing, while everyone else wiped at their faces.
That was the start of water wars. We splashed and played for hours, Xander’s staff bringing us food and drinks throughout the day.
“This was a perfect day,” I said later that afternoon, all of us sprawled on loungers, soaking up the last rays of the sun.
“Except for the fact that I’m going to be redder than a lobster,” Emma said, “I couldn’t agree more.”
Rolling over, I reached out to Xander, capturing his hand. “I vote we stay here forever,” I whispered sleepily.
“Seconded,” Callie chimed in immediately.
“All in favor?” Maya asked.
There was not even a second’s pause before a chorus of ayes rang out.
We all knew there were too many responsibilities on Overworld for us to stay here forever, but in that moment we were all happy and content.
And most importantly, we were together.
We were home.
Read on for some bonus scenes!
After - Avalon
I sucked in a deep breath, smoothing the skirt down, wishing I was back in my denim cutoff shorts. “Are you sure this is really necessary?” I complained to Emma, who stood on my right, wearing an exact replica of my outfit.
She flashed me a grin, her ponytail bobbing as she nodded. “Oh yeah, you need this high school experience. All of us do. It’s only a few weeks until graduation.”
“I’m only agreeing to this because Emma needs to graduate,” Callie cut in from the other side of her. The four of us were standing in a line beside a water fountain in front of Starslight Prep.
Maya cleared her throat. “I need to graduate as well, even if I’m not sure about college or my future … outside of Chase of course.”
With another breath, I reached out and linked my arm through Emma’s. “Okay, let’s do it, then. I’m sure I can handle a few more weeks of school if it means I get to hang with you all.”
We started to move together, all of us dressed in the uniform that set this fancy school far apart from the public schools I’d gone to. I didn’t really have plans for the future either. College kind of seemed like a waste of time when I was going to be spending most of my life under the water with Xander. But Emma, and possibly Maya, were still planning on attending college, so they had to suck it up and finish the year.
“I have no idea how you both managed to catch up on the schoolwork in such a short time,” Callie said, her face paler than usual. “It would have taken me five years to read through all of those assignments.”
Emma shook her head. “No way! You can do anything, Cal. You saved us all. You read those words in your head that helped you release the stone. Laous was trying to play on what he perceived as a weakness, and you went boss-lady on his ass.”
Callie shook her head, but she did smile, and some of the color returned to her face. “Thanks to you,” she murmured, hugging one arm around Emma. “If you hadn’t helped me so much, I’m not sure I would have had a shot at reading in my panicked state.”
Emma moved to return the hug and I released her arm so she wasn’t being pulled in two directions. “Not a doubt in my mind that you’d have killed it without an
y help from me,” she said softly to Callie.
The rest of our conversation was cut off when we entered the main building. I paused just over the threshold, staring around and trying to figure out how this was a school.
“Let me guess,” I said with a snort of laughter. “This was … designed by our other friends.”
The girls just nodded and laughed with me. “Yeah, they really need to work on their blending abilities.” Maya snort-laughed.
Students were pushing through the doors as it got closer to being time for the first bell. I was surprised to see so many of them staring at our group, especially Emma and Callie. They didn’t know Maya and me, but we still got a fair share of stares.
“I was invisible in my high school,” I said, fighting the urge to duck my head. This was when my height was a pain in the ass. “Guessing that’s not going to be the case here.”
Emma actually laughed so hard she had to rest her hands on her knees while she tried to suck in deep breaths. “Oh, God. You just wait, Ava. Our guys are part of an elite world here in Astoria, and they are worshipped.”
Which explained why there were so many dirty looks tied in with all the curious ones coming our way. Clearly no one liked Emma and Callie stealing their gods. “Speaking of,” I said, “weren’t they supposed to meet us here this morning?”
All four had been called into a last-minute overlord meeting, and had reluctantly agreed that we could go on ahead to the school early. With Callie among us, there wasn’t much humans could do to hurt us.
A shout rang out before anyone could answer. “Hey!” Star was waving as she rushed toward us, an amused Brad following close behind.
Maya greeted her best friend with a hug. Emma greeted her sister-in-law the same way. I watched it all with a warm happy feeling in my chest. I hadn’t had a chance to get to know Brad or Star that well yet, but they were both extremely nice. And extremely in love.
Lucky Roland and Ambra were all about their children’s happiness first and duty second, because I imagined it might have been difficult for Star to tell them that she loved a human dude. Emma was at least special in their world. Brad was only a bystander caught up in it all.
