Page 134 of Between Imminent Fates

A giggle. “True. He’s totally in love with me.”

“Dream girl.”

Winking at her, Nina looked over her shoulder to find that Tien and Ava had begun the long walk down the aisle. Blair and Jeremiah were arranging themselves for the next walk. Unsurprisingly, Isaiah’s gaze connected with hers.

“Shall we, Nina?”

Though she’d expected a touch of hostility, there was none in Isaiah’s voice. It’d been pleasant, daresay even cheerful. Perhaps the Earth would continue to spin after all. Offering him a smile that was genuine, she nodded and took his offered arm.

“I’d be delighted.”

Nina had never thought she’d be walking down the aisle with a man she’d detested for centuries. It went to show how former enemies could unite and happily coexist.

With every trace of theCitizenslong-since cleared, hopefully what would follow was a future where they could prosper and live their lives as they saw fit. One where anger and bitterness and war would be nearly abolished, and peace reigned.

Somewhere, Rukia was giggling, undoubtedly at the sight of Isaiah walking Nina down the aisle—anyaisle. Zeke, as she’d expected, was barely keeping his inner predator from snapping off Isaiah’s arm for daring to touch his mate.

Withholding a roll of her eyes, Nina sent her mate a telepathic message.Cool your jets, hot stuff. You’re the only man I want.

Good.If he so much as smiles at you, I’ll rip off his lips.

Nina chuckled before she could stop herself, and replied,Rukia might have a thing or two to say about that, my love.

Key and Jax sat near the front row. Without them, none of this would’ve been possible—and every immortal knew it. Though Key’s foreseer ability had changed, it hadn’t disappeared completely.

When the Peace Accords delegates had met several weeks ago, they had discussed Eden’s plan for revealing immortals to humanity. As the foreseer envisioned that future, she told them that there were ‘vague, happy feelings’ related to the reveal, not death and despair.

Everyone had agreed that it was a good sign. Eden had been given the green light to move forward with her idea to reveal them to the world. When she’d asked for volunteers, Kane and Nova were the first couple to raise their hands.

Meanwhile, Aidan’s nation had been coming together, forming a tightly knit pack structure focused on ensuring no one would go rogue. The loners, though resistant at first, had been welcomed with Guest of the Den status. It ensured they kept their freedom but had a place to call home—and someone to care and check in on them. Most quickly grew to appreciate pack life.

The World Immortal Federation—or WIF, as Celeste happily called it—was growing in membership already. Every vampire House, large wolf pack, Paracel, and Raeth clan had been integrated into the group, and they already saw petitions of all kinds. No clanless Raeth, wolf, Elemental, or vampire would ever face the world alone again.

It inspired hope for a brighter future, and one Nina readily looked forward to.

As soon as Celeste was in sight, Derikles’ face transformed. The man’s eyes misted as he watched his mate move gracefully toward him down an aisle full of rose petals that matched her hair. She was a vision in the traditional red gown of their mating ceremonies, and she was surrounded by half the immortal world who had shown up to celebrate with them.

It was another sign of happy days to come. From Drake and Toni’s first meeting to Nina waking from her coma, immortal life had changed immensely. They had found love, peace had been secured, she’d seen their enemies wiped from the face of the earth. The new generation of immortals would inherit the better life they’d all worked toward.

All was well in her world, and Nina couldn’t wait to see what their future held.

Epilogue

A Letter to Humanity

My name is EdenHawthorne.

Today, we reveal ourselves to you here, knowing that you’ve believed these accounts to be fiction. In cooperation with the immortals they portray, I’ve written our stories so that you would understand the trials of those who secretly walk the Earth alongside you.

We’ve taken great strides to keep our world safe from the likes of Torrin Scayde and the atrocities he championed. TheCitizens of the Lightmade it their goal to eradicate immortalkind based on the narratives that demonized us for having the audacity to live.

Our search and rescue teams, bolstered by immortals of all races, have saved thousands of lives—and averted many disasters. Our healers walk the halls of hospitals, removing sickness and pain from those who suffer. Vampires offer their blood to cure illnesses and ailments. Immortals of every race work as policemen, doctors, professors, furthering safety, security, healing, and knowledge.

As I write these pages, Nina and Rukia’s children play next to our gathering. Our future generations deserve to grow up in the safety of a transparent society, one where we can no longer be blackmailed with our most important secret.

Elementals, Raeths, werewolves, and vampires are real. We walk among you and hope for continued peace. Our only desire is that we move from the shadows into the light.

Eden Hawthorne

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