Night's End (37 page)

“Maybe he escaped. Maybe he managed to survive.” She put her hand on mine. “Cicely, let your heart be happy. We've lost a lot of people, but now, New Forest can recover and be safe. And you and I can go about putting the pieces back together. Summer and Winter.”

“Fire and ice.” I turned to her, taking her hands in mine.

“Amber and jet.”

“We'll never let them separate us, even though we are worlds apart. The balance must be maintained. Even though we are at odds, we'll always work together. Promise me that no matter what, we're still twin cousins.”

Rhia leaned down and placed a kiss on my cheek. “Always, Cicely. Twin cousins. Never to part.”

The town was digging out. As we made our way through the streets, Regina had told Dakota—Lannan's main day-runner—to spread the word that Myst was dead. And our men, the warriors of Summer and Winter, were out chasing down the last of the Shadow Hunters, destroying them on sight.

As soon as we managed to reestablish communication with Seattle and the Consortium, we'd enlist their help, and soon, if we were lucky, we'd manage to destroy every remnant of the Indigo Court. Without Myst, the Shadow Hunters would be plunged into chaos, so now was the time to finish them off. And this date would always be a holiday—the day we vanquished a monster.

As we passed what had been Anadey's diner, Peyton stopped, staring at the building. I slid my arm through hers.

“Are you all right?” I asked as she stared up at the silent neon sign. A
FOR SALE
sign was posted on the building, and I knew that Peyton would never again darken the doors of the restaurant.

“I don't even know what to say. I lost my mother when she tried to kill you—and then again when Geoffrey killed her. I lost my father too soon after I found him again. Just so much destruction.” She shook her head. “I'm going to call my father's Pride in a few weeks and make arrangements to go stay with them for a while. When I come back, I'll open up my business.”

“What do you think will happen to Luna? Do you think . . .” I didn't want to ask, but Peyton was the one Luna was talking to most.

“I think that her ancestors and Dorthea will come for her when they're good and ready. Maybe today. Maybe in ten years. Or twenty. Who knows? None of us ever really know when our time is up, not until we face it head-on.”

“That's true enough.”

“So Luna's life is forfeit. She bound herself to a pact, and they fulfilled their promise. She can't back out of this. But it was something she wanted to do, and our paths are our own to walk. When will they come for her? I have no idea, and I don't think she does either. But she made the choice willingly. Don't take away her sacrifice to help us. Don't make her feel guilty over it.”

“That's what someone told me about Kaylin, you know.”

“They were right.” Peyton looked like she wanted to say something else, but was holding back.

“Out with it—what is it?”

“Only that . . . Luna was marked the first time we saw her. You saw it in your cards, and so did I. Maybe she was destined to die young. Maybe we saved her for a time, but we can't stop the Fates. We can't preordain who lives or dies. You might have the power to kill—to order someone's death. But ultimately, if that person is meant to live, fate will find a way.”

I let out a soft sigh. “You're basically saying that if Luna's meant to go, then nothing we do will stop it.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“I know. I know. I'm tired of losing people.”

“Cicely, accidents happen. War will come as it will. People die. A bullet, a vampire's fangs, falling on the ice and breaking your neck . . . There's nothing you can do. No matter how much you want to stop it, nothing you can do will prevent what's meant to happen. You may be a queen, but you aren't a goddess.” And then she wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “No matter how much you wish you could control everything, it's not going to happen.”

“Well, fuck. You just ruined my day with that.” But I was laughing with her, even though I didn't want to hear what she had to say.

Ysandra sat in the rocking chair while I perched on the ottoman, watching the flames crackle in the fireplace. She was studying me, and finally, I turned to her. “What are you thinking about?”

“You cannot lead the Moon Spinners now that you are Queen. I'm sorry, but it's just not possible. I thought I was done with the Consortium, but I've decided to remain in my power there, and to change the institution for the better from the inside. But the town needs a witch, and with Magical Charms being Luna's shop . . .”

“Give her the power of the coven. Let her take over. I don't know how long she has, but maybe by doing so, you can help her with this damned pact she made with her ancestors. Luna's a strong bard, and her powers are growing. I don't know where they're taking her—I doubt even she does—but I know she could use some guidance.” I reached out, warming my hands on the flames, but they were too hot, and I pulled back. Even though I loved the cozy glow, there was something off-putting about the heat now.

“I was thinking the same thing. I'm glad you concur. When will you return to your Barrow? As much as we love your company, you need to be there. You and Rhiannon need to leave the reorganization of the town to those of us who . . .” She trailed off, then her voice hardened. “To those of us who make our home here. Your Majesty”—she held up her hand when I started to protest—“No. You must wear that crown like you mean it. Your Majesty, forgive me for being blunt, but you don't belong here anymore. Your people are waiting. They need you.”

I felt like a fledgling being pushed out of the nest. But she was right. The Veil House was no longer my home. New Forest wasn't my city. This was all a different nation, and I needed to go home.

“We'll leave tonight, after I find out about Lannan.”

“Go before then. We'll get word to you. Go home, Your Majesty. Go home.”

Grieve and I stood on a snow bank, under the moon, staring at the sky. Rhiannon and Chatter had branched off, with their guards, at the fork leading to the Twin Oaks. And now, here we were, standing above the Twin Hollies, staring at the portal that would lead us back to our home.

“Did you ever think we'd end up here?” I turned to my beloved. My heart was still aching, but now it skipped in anticipation. It was time to move ahead, time to step into our future.

“Honestly? No. But long ago I told you that we'd end up together, in the future, and now the future is here, and we are free from the shackles binding us to the past. We're free to be together, to rule a nation, to create a future.”

And there, in front of our guards, he pulled me to him, and his lips met mine. As he kissed me, my heart swelled, and my wolf growled deeply, but it was a happy growl, a satisfied growl. I sank into the kiss, feeling his love surround me as he embraced me with all of my faults.

“I don't believe in happy ever after, you know,” I whispered as we pulled apart. “I don't believe there's ever an ending. Life just keeps going, and when you finish one adventure, another begins.”

“There's no such thing as perfection. I don't expect life to be perfect. I just never want us to get bored with each other.” He stood back, holding me by the shoulders. “We'll find out about Lannan. I promise you—we'll find out one way or another.”

“And if he lives . . .” I couldn't finish the sentence. Grieve had heard me in the cave; he'd heard Myst and he knew.

“If he lives . . . well . . . we'll have to figure arrangements if and when the time comes. Meanwhile, our kingdom awaits.” And he took my hand as we passed through the portal, into a world where winter never ended, where the snow and ice forever covered the landscape. Where I was Queen of a frozen realm, and Grieve was my King.

I soared high over my icy realm, reveling in the freedom flight gave me. Hunter swooped past me nearby, and then another owl—and another. My grandfather had brought a host of our people into the realm of Snow and Ice, to live under my rule, and now we took to the skies every moon. It was our tradition, flying high on the wing, hunting in the forest, rejoicing in the feel of the wind on our feathers.

Ulean swept past, laughing as she disrupted our flight. I steadied myself, and then, joy filling my heart, I pushed forward, leapfrogging with her under the light of the moon.

I never thought it could be like this.

Cicely, life is never what we think it will be. If you stop expecting it to look a certain way, to flow in a certain direction, then life has the freedom to become what it needs to be. You just have to remember that your life is not what Rhiannon's life is, is not what Luna's life is . . . or Peyton or anyone else you know. Destiny wears a different face for every person
.

And then, she was off again, and I swooped, gliding after her. My people turned, following me, as we flew through the chill. The snow would soon be falling again, but here it was natural that it should. As I caught sight of the Barrow, glistening in white, my heart swelled, and I let out a long shriek of joy. I was finally home.

Epilogue

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER

“Cicely! It's so good to see you again.” Peyton ran up. She stopped to curtsey when she realized people were watching, but I laughed and grabbed her hand, pulling her to me.

“Fuck that. Hug me, woman.” I held on to her, breathing deeply as the warmth of her body filled me with a heat that I seldom felt anymore.

She smiled, shaking her head. “So . . . another cycle, another solstice.” And then we stood in silence. As the years went by, it was harder to find things to talk about. Oh, we discussed her business—which was thriving—and my kingdom, which was also thriving. But sometimes the past was still so raw, so overwhelming, that it intruded on the present. We reminded each other of darker times, of people loved and lost.

Twice a year, New Forest held citywide festivals for the summer and the winter solstices. Rhiannon and I attended both—one of us ruling the celebration with the other an honored guest. Now, it was summer solstice—our birthdays. I was here to enjoy myself, while Rhia presided.

New Forest had grown into a real city, and though it had never been the same, it had turned into a thriving metropolis for magic-born, vampire, and Fae alike. We were cutting-edge in terms of interracial cooperation, and were considered a role model for the nation. But beneath the veneer, everybody who had lived here twenty-five years ago remembered the days when Myst had tried to destroy us. There was no getting away from history.

“How goes the business?”

Peyton laughed. “Lots of cases coming my way. The Veil House has never hosted so many people. I'm working on a big corporate case for the Consortium right now, though I can't talk about it. But it's going to boost me into high demand when I'm done.” She paused then, the smile in her eyes fading. “But you know, it's never been the same here, not since . . .”

“Since Luna died.” I finished it for her.

Three years ago, the ancestors had finally come for our beautiful bard. She'd been in an accident. But she'd left Wind Charms to her daughter, who had also taken over the Moon Spinners, as well.

Kayla was an extremely potent witch, with a personality to match, proving adept at vision magic, water magic . . . and dreamwalking. As to Kayla's father, Luna had never told us who he was, though we had our suspicions. We also suspected that Kayla herself knew. Five years after we defeated Myst, Luna had disappeared for a week, and when she showed up again, she was pregnant. Thrilled, she'd never once talked about where she'd been. But we knew—we all knew.

“Kayla's doing well with the business. Ysandra is mentoring her, and it's working out well. But . . . she's not Luna. You know how that goes.”

“Yeah, I know.” With a smile, I hugged Peyton again. “I need to check on the kids, but I'll be back.” As I turned to go, I glanced over my shoulder. “Still no boyfriend?”

Peyton shrugged. “Casually dating, but no one special. Don't fuss over me, Cicely. I'm good on my own. If there ever is anybody, he'll have to complement me, not complete me. I'm content. Now go tell the kids to come give their Aunt Peyton a hug.”

“Will do.” I wandered through the backyard of the Veil House, and waved to Rhiannon. We would carve out our time to talk later on.

As I wandered through the expanse of yard behind the Veil House, I saw our children gathered over by the border to the Golden Wood.

First, there was Andy—the boy we'd rescued from the house. Rhiannon and Chatter had adopted him, and he had grown up a strong, trustworthy boy. He was skilled with herbs and had become a healer. Andy was also in love with my youngest daughter, Krystal, who was a telepath and a wolf-shifter, like her father. Krystal and Andy wanted to live in New Forest, so they would be marrying soon and taking over the Veil House for their own when Peyton moved into her own home across town.

For two years, she'd carried on at the Veil House after Luna died, but I couldn't help but wonder if Peyton hadn't been a little bit in love with our bard. I'd never ask her, and she'd probably never volunteer the information if she was, but part of me whispered that Peyton had fallen for Luna long ago.

To my left, at a picnic table, sat Rhiannon and Chatter's son, Talker. He was eating alongside my second daughter, Amber. They were also headed for the altar. Or at least, Rhiannon and I suspected they might be.

The pair spent every moment they could together, and since neither was heir to the throne, we saw no need to force them to stay home all the time. They had to deal with the brunt of security guards and all that being the children of royalty entailed, but Rhiannon and I were determined that they grow up to lead their own lives. We were changing the rules of our realms, as much as we could, and integrating the Fae into the mainstream of life.

Lastly, our oldest daughters walked hand in hand. Rhia's daughter—Hawthorn—had hair as red as the morning sky. My daughter, Yew, mirrored my own coloring. Once again, amber and jet would rule. Fire and ice. We had given birth to them on the winter solstice. Yew was born just before the stroke of midnight, when the night was at its darkest. Hawthorn was born twelve hours later, just after midday, when the Wheel had started to turn toward the light. Grieve and Chatter had been proud papas, that much was for sure.

With Hawthorn and Yew, tradition would rule out. We were grooming our daughters to one day take our places. They would remain with us, in the realms of Summer and Winter, until the day we were ready to return to the Golden Isle. They had accepted their fate and were content. Destiny would have its say, even when the future intruded.

Grieve slipped up beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Enjoying the festival, my love?”

I nodded. “Yes, though each season, I feel a bit more alienated from the town. I suppose it's what this life does. This is the price we pay. I spoke to Peyton. She's doing well, but she misses Luna.”

“We all miss Luna. And Kaylin.” He pulled me close. “Tonight, you will stay with Lannan?” The old jealousy was long gone, buried under the strength of our love and of our children who cemented us together like glue.

With a shy laugh, I nodded. Two nights out of each year I spent with the vampire. We had come to an understanding over the years. Lannan would never mellow, but he respected me now, and he and Grieve even had found interests in common, though they would never be close friends.

“You do not mind?” I always asked, even though, after twenty-five years, the routine was down pat.

Lannan, of the golden hair and dark soul, had survived the fall, and for his bravery, he'd been handed the permanent keys to the Regency. Together, he and Regina ruled over New Forest without question.

“I do not mind. He saved your life once, and he saved my life. And then, he sacrificed himself so that you would have the chance to destroy Myst. You can't fault a hero.” He grinned at me. “I know your heart belongs to me.”

And it did, even though Lannan and I had our fun. The truth was, at times Lannan and I just spent the night talking now. While the passion had settled into a comfortable friendship, when I needed him, I had the outlet twice a year to play in the dark, to safely vent out the memories of Cherish and Myst.

Now and then I met with his sister Regina, and we went shopping at night. The stores would open their doors to us. I'd learned more than I ever thought I would want to know about their lives—both before and after being turned—and I had developed a deep respect for them. Our friendship was forging new inroads for the relationship between the Fae and Vampire nations.

“My heart is in your hands, my love.” I kissed Grieve on the nose.

“Go. I can feel you're antsy. Go flying for a while. You need it.” He slapped me on the butt, and I laughed, once again marveling that I had found my way back to him. The journey that had started forty-six years ago, in this lifetime, had ended up here. In this yard, on this night, under the summer moon.

I headed toward the oak tree. Grieve was right. I needed some time by myself. With every passing year, I enjoyed my time in owl form more and more. My grandfather and I had spent a lot of time together, and I was beginning to understand the true nature of the Uwilahsidhe, though—as he put it—it would be a lifelong journey. One day, I would meet my father again, and I hoped he and Lainule would be proud of how far I had come.

As I climbed the boughs, I remembered my first time. Pressured by an unknown force, I had climbed the tree, removed my clothes, and then plummeted headlong toward the earth. And for the first time, I had spread my wings and found true freedom, and had begun my journey toward finding out about my lineage.

Now, as I stared up at the glowing moon, I could hear the sounds of the festivities from below. Our people were content. We had relative peace. We had rebuilt New Forest after vanquishing Myst.

And the future? Only the Fates knew where it would lead.

Ulean, are you ready?

I'm here, Cicely. Where do you want to go?

Let's head out over the forest. I want to fly hard and long.

I'm ready when you are.

You've got my back, Ulean?
I always asked—it was our tradition.

And as she always did, Ulean laughed.
Of course I do. I will always have your back. Forever. Call up the wind, Cicely, and let's stretch those wings of yours.

And so I called to the wind, and a stiff breeze sprang up as I plunged forward off the tree, arms shifting into wings, body transforming, tail feathers growing. I spread my wings and turned on the wind, and with Ulean dancing and leapfrogging by my side, I flew into the night as the moon rose high over the trees, and the Golden Wood glowed with an unearthly, beautiful light.