by Emma Hamm
Another popping sound echoed in the night. Burke appeared, arms laden with towels and blankets.
“You know we live on a beach right?” Lydia shouted.
“Mercy predicted it would get chilly tonight?”
“Mercy might have control over the elements, but I think Ignes will keep us warm either way.”
He sighed. “Fine. Where are the others?”
“Wolfgang and Lyra are late, as usual. Pitch and Jasper are getting the tables.”
Burke dropped all the cloth on the ground. “I’m going to help.”
“You’re going to drink,” Wren corrected as she leaned down to scoop the blankets back up. “And we’re not leaving these in the sand.”
“I don’t wash them,” he said while walking toward the manor.
“Neither do I!”
Lydia burst into laughter. “Wren come braid my hair. Pitch hates it when it’s not down. Braids confuse him.”
“Anything to annoy the lord of night.”
As Wren passed by, she leaned to sniff at her drink. “What’s this?”
“Margarita.”
“It smells like straight tequila.”
“I think it’s a little of both?”
Wren arched a brow. “Do you even know what a margarita is made of?”
“Tequila.”
By the time the men returned with the tables, the women were all seated around a fire watching Ignes project figures into the sky. He spat flames upwards and made them into creatures. A wolf chased a rabbit through the sky before it turned around and became a stallion that chased the wolf.
Leaning back on her hands, Lydia grinned. The stars sparkled in the clear sky, the crisp salty air brushing the sweat from her skin. Sand ran beneath her fingers and it didn’t matter that it was stuck between her toes.
Pitch stood over her. “Where are the other two?”
“Late.”
Lyra’s bubbling voice interrupted them. “We’re not late! We’re early.”
“For the party?” Lydia shouted. “Because you’re definitely late, if that’s what you’re here for.”
The Siren plopped down next to her. “Couldn’t be late for the party, hon. We are the party.”
Pitch clapped Wolfgang on the shoulder, pulling him into a hug. “It’s good to see you, boy. How are things?”
“The Underground is doing well. We’re learning how to help those of our people who need it, although the constant praying and petitioning is giving me headaches.”
“You need to learn how to block those out.”
“It’s hard.”
Lyra leaned around Lydia to say, “He wants to help everyone. I told him that’s not possible. Saving the world isn’t possible if we do it one person at a time.”
“The world needs saving again?” Lydia asked. “I thought we already did that once.”
“We absolutely did,” Wolfgang replied. “Now do you want to see the new fireworks or not?”
“You’re still making those death contraptions?”
“I’m a God now. I can’t die.”
Lydia chuckled as he scooped Ignes up to help him set the fireworks off.
Her phantom settled onto the sand behind her, tucking her against his chest. Pitch leaned down, brushing a kiss against her ear. “Is it everything you ever dreamed of?”
The first firework went off. Colors sparkled in the air and showered down from the sky. It looked like the stars were falling.
Each brilliant light was a reminder of a time long ago when she had been alone. Lydia had battled with the desire for family, friends, anyone to listen to her. To laugh with her.
She looked around at the familiar faces. Burke and Wren snuggled at the picnic table, their fingers intertwined. Lyra bounced on her heels and called out for more fireworks while Wolfgang and Ignes argued about the next choice. Mercy and Jasper stood with their arms around them, both larger than life and infinitely happy again. They had recently decided Ignes would remain part of their relationship, but he would marry their daughter.
Lydia narrowed her eyes and focused upon the orange glow deep within Mercy’s belly. It was the last bit Lydia could do to help heal the broken pieces of the Phoenix’s mind. That little girl would be their world and would bring a species back to life.
She snuggled back into Pitch’s chest, so happy she felt like she might burst.
“Yes, it’s everything I could have wanted. And more.”
Afterword
This series has been in my head for a very long time. Ever since I was a little girl, when I realized that fairies might live in coffee shops, that the trees might be listening to what I say, and that my pet cat could in fact be a witch.
This journey, this adventure, of a book series has taught me so much. YOU have taught me so much on what you like to read, where I can grow and develop as an author, and how much support comes from the writing community.
I can’t thank you enough for letting me fill your head with this world I built in mine.
Where do we go from here?
I hope, wherever we go, it is together. This will not be my last book, and I thoroughly encourage you to stay in touch! I’m extremely active on my Facebook Page where you can get sneak peeks at all my new adventures.
Thank you again and I hope to stay in touch.
<3 Emma
About the Author
Emma Hamm grew up in the “wilds” of Maine. Blueberry fields, farm land, and a lot of animals inspire much of her writing.
If you’d like to stay in touch, please find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her email listing!
To stay in Touch
www.emmahamm.com
[email protected]
Also by Emma Hamm
Silver Blood
Red Blood
Blue Blood
