Page 163 of The Star's Sword
I laughed, hand in Sam’s as I ran over to my friends. “What the hell? Let’s do it.”
And as we all went inside to revel together, I felt all was right with the world.
Epilogue
It took time to adjust to life after ascension. Without constant talk about ninth realm celestials and the state of the world, there was an emptiness for a while to our conversations, even as we fought to rebuild around us.
Simon did indeed turn the keep over to Mark, and Sam took over the sanctuary from Cayne. Orpheus was originally Cayne’s thrall, and one of his best friends, so he would be leaving, and Zadis would be taking his place doing a lot of things to watch over the sanctuary.
Os and Griffin and Mor visited often, and Luren sometimes as well.
When Mark had time off from organizing the keep, he would come visit also.
According to him, the vampires were struggling with blood supply, and turning to cannibalism in some cases, but he wasn’t going to allow more blood donation until they learned some blood loyalty.
A few weeks after our revelry, Sam and I were finally ready to leave and travel together for a while, accompanied by Zadis.
There were just so many memories here, and I wanted to see more of the world before settling down.
The sanctuary would be closed while we were gone, but that was fine. More sanctuaries had risen up in the wake of the celestial realms reorganizing.
No one really talked about who the Morningstar was, which gave me a level of anonymity I appreciated. I needed no credit for something I was just born to do. All others had seen was a bright flash across the night sky when I had erupted.
I walked out to the enclosure across from the sanctuary to get my unicorn, which Luren had brought here for me.
“Mercy!” I yelled her name and she tossed her mane, coming over to nuzzle into my hand as I walked through the door of the enclosure. “We’re going on a trip; you want to join us?”
She just stared, but I saw in her eyes that she was happiest when she got to come with me.
Plus, a unicorn could only prove useful on our journey.
When I was walking her back to the cathedral, I saw Sam walk out, carrying small void sacks that carried far more than they looked like they could.
Zadis was carrying several more, nodding at something Sam was saying as he walked behind him.
The sight of both of them made my heart warm every time.
Mark walked out behind him, and I gave him a wave. He must have arrived while I was out.
He was wearing black leather and looking gorgeous as usual. I flushed as he gave me a hug, trying not to think about what had happened at the revelry.
He chuckled as he released me from the breath-stealing hug. “So, all ready to head out, Morningstar?”
“It’s just Cleo, now,” I said, as Zadis walked over to the shed to get my unicorn’s saddle. I could ride her bareback but the saddle made it more comfortable for both of us. Sam came over and tied the void sacks onto the saddle, and when we were ready to head out, he and Zadis turned to face Mark with me.
“You’ll always be a star to me,” Mark said. “So when will you three be back?”
“I don’t know,” Samael said. “Cleo wants to see the world. Maybe a few weeks, maybe more.” He looked out at the horizon. “But it’ll be nice to be free for a while. To just go where we want to go, do what we want to do. Take in the sights and just be regular people.”
Mark snorted. “No matter where you go, you’ll never be regular people.”
Zadis laughed at that. “No indeed. But life could be a little more normal than it has been.”
“Truth,” Mark said, putting his hands on his hips and following us as we walked out of the courtyard, me leading the unicorn along with us. “So where are you going?”
“To the mountains,” Samael said. “The ones bordering the sea. It’ll be a long trip, but should be breathtaking. Besides, I’ve never been.”
“Interesting,” Mark said. “Well, the three of you be safe now, won’t you? Here, I’ll see you until we reach the edge of the mid-realm.”
