Page 102 of Of Flame and Fury

Gemini opens his arms. I’m ready to fall into his embrace and beg him to take me home when he turns me carefully.

My body trembles at Celia’s approach. Her hair remains damp, and her small body is wrapped in a blanket Aric holds carefully around her. Shayna and Emme shadow her, their faces blotchy from the tears that continue to fall.

Celia wipes her eyes with the edge of the blanket when she sees me. “Hey,” she says.

“Hey,” I stammer.

I want to throw my arms around her and cry with her. I want to tell her she’s my best friend, that I love her, and that she can never die without me.

Instead, I stagger forward and fall at her feet on one knee. She reaches for me, trying to help me stand, as does Aric, who clasps my elbow to steady me.

I stay in place, taking a long shaky breath. Gemini takes a knee beside me. He bows his head as his palm finds the small of my back. My mate knows me well and understands what I’m about to do.

“I, Taran Wird, mate and wife to Tomo Gemini Hamamatsu, swear my loyalty to you. No one will hurt you or your child in my presence. No one will tempt my loyalty. Nothing shall ever steer me away.”

My promise doesn’t come out as strong as I want, my voice quakes and tears riddle each word. It doesn’t matter. The vow I make is real and there.

Gemini joins me in his promise to keep Celia and her baby safe. Misha kneels on my opposite side, Uri to his right, Ileana just behind them. Genevieve and the witches follow, Destiny and Tye, too. Theweresgather, as does everyone who survives, taking up every inch of space on that hilltop.

One by one, each being pledges their loyalty to Celia and her baby as the sun breaks through the horizon, and a new day begins.

Epilogue

I didn’t feel well for a long time. It was more than the way I killed Johnny. Although I’ll admit, his end cost me. As angry as I remain at him for all the atrocities he committed and every life he took, I can’t help but remember that he, like everyone else, just wanted to live.

Johnny was always a scared little boy who wanted love. I insulted and accused him of being weak. I meant what I said and believe it was right to take his life. He wouldn’t have stopped until Celia and Aric’s baby were dead. And if he’d achieved his task and become a shapeshifter, Destiny would be gone, and Johnny would be unstoppable.

I think my struggle is with the word weak. It’s what he was. Except, all my life, I protected those who wereweak. It became our unspoken motto, mine and my sisters.

Until it wasn’t.

Until I killed Johnny.

He was a Fate. I get it. An entity more powerful than me. But deep down inside, he remained fragile and scared. It wasthatpart of him I was supposed to help, and I guess, was supposed to save. I think that’s what screwed with me, why I’ve felt so sick and why I haven’t eaten much.

But as I stare at the tiny stick on the bathroom vanity, the one with two lines, I realize I’m sick for a different reason and am reminded that life goes on.

I sniff, smiling through tears. Yes, Johnny was weak, so weak-minded he always hurt more than he helped, killing and destroying families and taking down anyone who stood in his way.

I’m one of the lucky ones who made it home and who…I lift the stick…gets to start and have a family of her own.

The smell of bacon and eggs waft into my nose as I step into the hall. My stomach gives a little lurch, for all the right reasons that have nothing to do with guilt.

Gemini’s voice, as well as Aric’s and Koda’s, drift from the kitchen. I don’t have to guess they’re at the table, making plans to keep the world safe.

Celia looks up from where she’s perched on Aric’s lap and smiles softly. “Good morning, Taran.”

I offer her a rather awkward wave. She tilts her head when she sees my face. I look away.

Destiny watches Shayna and Emme closely. They’re teaching her how to make pancakes. Step number one should have been to remove the rainbow-feathered crown covering her tight bun. Yellow, blue, green, and hot pink plumage flutter down and into the batter. “Like this?” she asks.

Shayna takes one look at the first rainbow-colored pancake and throws her head back, laughing. “Yes, queen,” she says. “You’re getting it.”

“It was an excellent first try,” Emme tells her. She pats her back encouragingly, careful to avert her gaze from Bren, who can no longer keep his eyes off her. Tye doesn’t seem to notice, tearing into the biscuits and honey like it’s his job.

Gemini leaves the table and kisses my cheek. “Feeling better?”

I nod. “Hmm.”

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