Page 114 of The Aether

SIX YEARS LATER

Peas landed on Damian’s plate, or rather, they formed as if conjured, and he knew the culprit.

Beastie.

He grinned as he looked up and met her sparkling gaze. At sixteen years old, Sabrina was still a handful, but she’d assumed the role of protector to her three siblings, Nate, Charlotte, and Asher. That meant helping them dispose of whatever they didn’t care to eat.

Like peas.

Four years old and the most outrageous of all the Dethridge clan, Asher despised anything green. Ironic, since he was an earth elemental. When he wasn’t sticking cut-up vegetables up his nose in preparation for a fantastical blowout, he tended to dump them on the floor for the Hellhounds to devour. Both actions thrilled Lottie, who, as her brother’s personal cheerleader, always clapped and shouted from her highchair.

Their house had been filled with chaos for the last half decade, but only in the best possible way.

Damian’s gaze traveled the length of the table, touching on all the people gathered for Sabrina’s sixteenth birthday celebration. There was Trevor Blane and his new bride at the far end of the room, trading heated looks across their wine glasses, as they conversed with Castor and his new fiancée. A handful of the Thornes had shown up for dinner, and more would be arriving for the ball Vivian and Sabrina had insisted on hosting. Additionally, his trusty Sentinels and their mates, a few with children in tow, peppered the dining room.

Over the years of working together, of facing endless trials and tribulations, they’d all formed unbreakable bonds. Friends to the end, although theydidbicker on occasion. Those brave men and women would always have his back, as Damian had theirs.

Giggles drifted to him, and he immediately recognized the source—Beastie and Chloe. Two beautiful young women, soon-to-be heartbreakers in multiple ways. Sabrina’s two best friends flanked her, and Damian noticed ever-thoughtful Aeden O’Malley was as quiet as ever, attentively listening to the girls as they chatted away about whatever it was teenage girls found interesting. Every once in a while, the young man would sneak a glance at Ronan O’Connor, his hero and the person he strove to be like. The Guardian who had saved his life once upon a time and who continued to watch over him.

Whenever Aeden became too distracted, Sabrina absently touched his arm and gave him a winsome smile. Of course, he responded in kind, and whatever connection the two had was strengthened with each silent glance.

“Do you think they’ll marry one day?” Vivian asked Damian as she scooped the peas from his plate and redistributed them on the floor for the dogs to noisily snarf down.

“Please. I’m not ready to think about Sabrina having a boyfriend just yet.”

“There will probably only be Aeden. She calls him her forever friend,” she replied with an amused smile. “Although I’d like for her to experience the world before she settles down.”

“She already has, Viv. In her mind, she’s seen it all. Continues to see it all.”

“Still, she should be free to explore other relationships when she heads off to college.”

“I’m sure she will. It isn’t as if Beastie is shy,” he said with a chuckle.

Vivian looked around the dinner table and sighed. “Should we tell the kids there’s pizza on the terrace? I fear this meal has gone to waste.”

“Lottie and Asher will be happy to be rid of their peas.”

They shared a grin.

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you about future trials, tribulations, and tribunals, darling.” Vivian gave him an arch look. “You’d better start figuring out how to get Asher out of trouble now. If any of your little monsters are going to wind up in hot water, it’s going to be him.”

His bark of laughter turned heads. Leaning in, he nuzzled the delicate shell of Vivian’s ear. “Oh, they’re mine now? Hmm. I remember the conception of each one, and as I recall, we were both participating in the act. With vigor.”

That she could still blush after all these years together delighted him and filled him with happiness.

“Shush, you!” But her scowl was laced with humor. “Is it horrible to say that I dread the day Asher comes into his powers?”

“No. On that, we are in complete agreement.”

Since the day of Sabrina’s tribunal, Damian’s abilities had been restored to full strength. Any glimpses of the future included. Yes, Asher would be a challenge, but no more so than Sabrina and Nate were or than Lottie would eventually be. They were all spirited children with minds of their own. Testing boundaries was second nature. They would all thrive, however, eventually becoming assets to the witch community, as would their children and their children’s children.

And one day, when it was time for Damian to move on to the next world, he’d give what remained of his formidable powers to the daughter he adored beyond measure.

His firstborn, Beastie.

“What has you thinking so hard, darling?”

“You can’t tell?” he asked with a loving smile.

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