Page 151 of The War of Wings
“I think I’ll stay here for a bit,” I sighed contentedly, a smile pulling at my lips. “I know Onera told us Saints don’t need to sleep, but I feel like I could use a bit of rest.”
Cal placed another kiss against my forehead. “Understandable.” He rose, pulling his trousers up his legs and his tunic over his head. It was all so ordinary and yet…so much more. “I’ll be back in a little.”
“Take your time. We have a lot of it,” I hummed, watching as he disappeared through the doorway and around the corner. I heaved out a deep breath, sinking further into the blissfully soft mattress before I turned onto my side and fumbled for the nightstand.
The small book Tyrak had written for me had been sitting there since I arrived in the Saints’ Realm. I didn’t have the strength to read his words yet. One day I would. But today, I reached for the envelope beside the book, and pulled out the parchment waiting inside.
My dearest daughter,
One day, you may read this letter. I am writing it in the hopes you will never set eyes upon these words, that the universe will somehow keep you safe from a darkness that I once carried within my own heart. But should the world fall apart, and should you slip through the cracks and find yourself in possession of this inconsequential pieceof parchment, there are some things I wish for you to know.
You, my daughter, are a miracle of the purest kind, a light born of darkness. This world was designed to keep you from existing, and yet I feel you move within my belly.
You may believe you were created for a purpose, and you were. That purpose, however, was not to put an end to suffering or carry the weight of humanity upon your shoulders. Your purpose is love. You were created by a love so fierce it transcended realms, and I hope you know that kind of love your whole life. I hope it fills every part of you until you feel you may burst. I hope you know the kindness of your father, and that you carry the same strength and resilience in your heart as he does. I hope you feel the force of the Saints behind you and know the love each and every one of them carry for you.
My darling girl, if you’re reading these words, it means I have failed in my calling to protect you from darkness. For that, I am unforgivably sorry. But please know, you are my greatest triumph, my greatest honor, and my greatest act of good.
With all my love,
Your Mother
Epilogue
Petra
1 Month Later
“Ma! You’re stepping on the train again!” I griped, my palms in the air.
“Oh!” she yelped, jumping backward. “I’m sorry. This strand of hair just won’t stay in its place.” Her eyes narrowed as she fiddled with the pins. “There.”
“Oh, it’s perfect, Irabel,” Queen Anja said, her hands clasped in front of her mouth as she stared at her daughter. Anjadidlook similar to Ma. I could understand if Tyrak had chosen her and King Bastian as Cielle’s adoptive parents on that fact alone.
Cielle peered at herself in the mirror, her easy smile lighting up her entire face as she smoothed her hands down the satin skirt of her gown. “How do I look?”
“You are perfection, darling,” Queen Anja whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.
Ma stood by, a teary-eyed smile on her face as she reached for my hand. I knew she was thinking about Larka, how they’d never have this moment together. But she could have this moment with Cielle, and that was all thanks to Cal. When Ma’s soul had been returned to her body after Cal retrieved it from the Sanguilite’s Realm, she was both terrified and thrilled to hear about Cielle.
Though things had been a bit uncomfortable in the beginning, there was an inherent bond between them. They were mother and daughter by blood. They’d both opened their hearts to the idea of a relationship, and Queen Anja had been immediately supportive.
And now, here we were, in the keep of the newly rebuilt castle in Eserene. They’d managed an impressive amount of progress in rebuilding the city as a whole. But with a little help from Onera, it was just about done.
As is human nature, Astran quickly began to fall apart without a leader. In a unanimous decision, the countries of Astran decided to dissolve their borders and move forward as one unified kingdom. Relations with Nesan improved dramatically, and trade had begun almost immediately after everyone returned home. I supposed the fact that the newly crowned King of Astran being the newly discovered grandson of the King of Nesan may have had something to do with the improved relationship.
The amount of convincing it took to get Miles to accept the position of king? I deserved a title far greater than Saint. It was as monumental a task as killing Malosym. But the thing that did it was when I suggested Cielle’s family would love it if she was married to royalty.
He said yes to my proposal, and two hours later, he made one of his own.
My head was still grappling with the way time moved so differently between the Saints’ Realm and the Human Realm. It was something I’d have to get used to since I decided not to give up my title as Extos. A royal wedding was not a small affair, but they managed to throw it together in less than a month’s time. If Miles had it his way, however, they’d already be almost a month into their marriage.
“Look at that,” Nieve's voice sounded from the door, a bouquet of white roses in her grip. “Lieutenant Dumbass turned out to do one smart thing by marrying my cousin. He knows I’ll kick his ass if he fucks this up, right?”
“He’s very aware,” Cielle answered, beaming at her cousin. Anja pinched the bridge of her nose. “And you know he’s not a lieutenant anymore.”
“Right.KingDumbass.” Nieve passed the bouquet off to Cielle with a sigh. “Last chance to run.”
“Oh, give it a rest, Nieve,” Cielle scolded with a laugh. “I’m not running.”
