Page 171 of The Cerulean Sister
I flex my knuckles, mustering up a ball of energy in between my hands, holding it as if it were solid. I press it into the door hinge, closing my eyes and letting my mind fall blank.
I have no pretty words to say, no prayer or ritual, only my light to bind this door and what happened inside. Light that was never destined for me, but power that ismine.
Epilogue
Ican almost make out the outline of the First Son ship from my window, the metal wreckage still trailing smoke up into the dark sky.
There are dozens of enemy soldiers still inside, held hostage by the Viathans who surround it, patiently waiting them out. Any who were found in the Estate were arrested, and some accounts even say that a great rolling wind came through and dissipated shadowy figures as they attacked.
The creature in the temple seemed to disarm the ship and any who were a threat to us, but the ward is still down and a stone is still missing.
I have mourned for my friend. Thea is gone, still in grief for the man she loved when she met her own death. She perished trying to protect the Estate, and I will miss her for all of my days.
So many died in the attack, pieces of the Estate broken and damaged, whole wings crumbled to the ground. The Temple of Divine Mothers reduced to ash.
99 and Lord General met with the emperor to discuss Crixa's death during the initial explosion, her body still not recovered from the rubble. A carefully crafted official report built on Leema's quick thinking.
The focus of the temple now is to appoint a new highest priestess before the conjunction peaks. The elders informed everyone in the council meeting after the attack that without a highest, a ward cannot be placed around the city.
So now all we can do is prepare for another inevitable attack as the priestess order elders deliberate who will lead them.
The enormous Viathan ship docked in the Estate courtyard has been our home. Leema is as comfortable as she can be here, her room just next to mine and 99's.
We have even sent a message back to Viathan, letting Allister know she mentioned returning with us when the time comes. His all too happy reply came moments later with a promise to clear out a room if she needs a place to stay away from the capital. It feels good knowing there is joy waiting for us, a life to fight for after everything I have previously believed in has been stripped away.
"Are you ready?" 99's voice pulls me away from my hard stare into the darkness outside.
He stands in the doorway, looking so powerful, so handsome in his newly polished armor.
"You look very nice," I say, noticing him shift on his feet as if nervous.
"You are beautiful."
I jump from the little bench by the window and smooth my black gown. The moment I put this color on again, I felt like myself. When we return to Viathan, I will commission Lady Anne to add deep green beading to every one of my black gowns so they are truly my own.
"I am ready." I smile at his sweet words.
"Are you certain you still want to do this? I don't want you to feel obligated to follow through. We can wait. You are both safe now."
"99, of course I still want this, and no, I will not wait." I laugh. As if my words are not enough, I send through the tether just how excited I am, how hard it is to remain calm.
His shoulders relax in an anxious exhale.
I link my arm in his as he guides us down the metal halls of the Viathan ship.
Guards pass us, pausing and tipping their helmets until we walk by.
"Any word from Calliape or August?" I try to sound positive, but I know the answer.
"No reply." He tilts his head down at me and then back up when another soldier comes into view, standing proud and straight. "We can push this back until they can attend."
"No!" I interrupt. I know he wouldn't mind if I said yes, but I can't bear the thought of waiting any longer.
"I am sorry,"he sends through the tether.
I love them both dearly and want them here with us, but I knew it was unlikely we would hear back in time. It is difficult not to feel sad for what has happened, even if today is the happiest I have ever been.
99 caresses me with amber light, hearing the last sentiment and silently agreeing.
