Page 169 of Alastair

One day, I knew they’d start a family too. For now, they were enjoying traveling the world.

“Sorry I’m late,” Penemuel said, rushing through the archway and into the dining room. His brown hair needed to be combed, and his glasses were askew. “I barely made my deadline. I submitted it and came running.”

He and Clara had become close in the time they’d lived together before we’d gone to the island. So she had invited him back to live with her.

“No prob,” Raiden said before hopping up and making him a bowl of chili. He placed a large piece of cornbread on top.

“Thank you.” Penemuel nodded to him before diving in.

Lazarus watched him.

“Be nice,”I said telepathically. Lazarus liked the fallen angel more now than he had months ago, but I wouldn’t call them friends. Yet anyway. Perhaps with time, that would change.

“I am being nice.”His eyes shifted to me.“I’m just not going to tell him about the sauce on his cheek.”

I rested my hand on his thigh, and he placed his on top, sliding our fingers together.

“Something interesting came into the shop today,” Simon said after dabbing at his mouth.

“Oh no.” Castor groaned. “If you say it’s some antique ring that gives off a scary aura, place that fucker back where you found it and throw the box in the sea.”

Galen chuckled.

“It’s not a ring,” Simon said, pushing his glasses back up his nose. “It’s a violin.”

“Boooooring.” Gray brought his legs up in his chair and leaned against Mason.

“Well, I’m interested,” I said.

“Thought you would be.” Simon smiled. “It’s older, but with some TLC, I think it could be beautiful. It’s yours if you want it.”

The gesture touched me. With the war and everything that followed—getting married, moving to another realm and settling in to a life outside of the one I’d always known—I had forgotten my love for the instrument.

“Thank you, Simon.”

For dessert, Titan brought out a platter of peanut butter cookies as well as apple turnovers. Daman brewed coffee, and Kallias helped him fill mugs and hand them out. Castor brought out a deck of cards for a game of poker.

My heart felt so full as I watched my brothers. They were smiling, laughing. Most importantly, they were all together. Safe. Healthy.

Lazarus leaned over and ghosted his lips over my ear. “Are you happy?”

I faced him and gently squeezed his hand. “Yes. Very much so.”

“Good.” His eyes softened. “So am I.”

Surrounded by those I loved, enjoying a peaceful, simple life, it was all I’d ever wanted. The storm had cleared. The war was over.

But this amazing life was only beginning.

The End