“It is my greatest wish to spend eternity beside you, Goddess.”
Her smile was the full moon, brilliant and bewitching. “You should seal that oath with a kiss.”
He stood so quickly his body blurred and he took her into his arms. As he kissed her passionately, his wings spread and then wrapped around her, shielding their love from our prying eyes.
Finally, cheeks bright with color, the Goddess moved from his embrace. “Merry meet, children,” she said as she approached the Warriors, who followed Dragon’s lead and bowed their heads reverently.
“Rise.”
They did as commanded, and she smiled at the Sons of Erebus. “You have been faithful and true. Your Goddess appreciates your strength and courage.”
“Thank you, Nyx,” Dragon said.
Nyx turned her head to look across the ground to where Anastasia had somehow dragged herself to her knees. Her head was bowed, though she had to brace herself with her hands on the cold ground, as if she might fall over at any moment.
“Beloved High Priestess, know your Goddess loves and appreciates your wisdom and compassion as well.”
Nyx raised her hand and flicked her wrist. Diamond stars from her headdress flew across the ground to engulf Anastasia, who gasped in surprise. When their brilliance faded the High Priestess lifted her head as she smiled beatifically while she straightened, her leg fully healed.
“Thank you, my wondrous Goddess!”
I heard Dragon sob softly in relief, and Nyx touched his head gently. “All will be well, Warrior. All will be well.” Then she faced the soldiers that had fought against us. “You disappoint me. You grasp for power cruelly, selfishly.” She held out her hand to Kalona, saying, “Your spear, my love.”
Kalona gave it to her without hesitation. She struck it on the ground, and the soldiers cowered in fear as she commanded, “Begin anew!” Light flashed from where the spear touched the earth, temporarily blinding me, and when I blinked the spots from my eyes I saw that the entire group of Warriors had lost their vampyre Marks and youthened—and I don’t mean turned into newly Marked teenagers. They were little boys, probably all about five years old, sitting in pools of clothes and blinking up at the Goddess with happy faces that were chubby with youth and innocence as they grinned.
Nyx turned in time to greet Anastasia as she hurried up and curtsied deeply to Nyx.
“High Priestess, these young ones will be the first of the humans to mix here at your House of Night. End the conflict with the community. Now. Raise these children to be kind, compassionate young men. Some of them will be Marked. Some will not. All of them will be important to mending what has been broken in this world.
Anastasia bowed her head. “Yes, Goddess.”
Then Nyx approached us. “Rise, children.”
We did as she commanded.
“I recognize you, Zoey Redbird. Your twin from this world and I talk often in my realm.”
I bowed my head and then smiled. “Your twin in my world and I talk often as well.”
She returned my smile. “I expect that your Nyx will be happy when you return.” Her gaze took in the rest of my group, lighting on Kevin. “Ah, Kevin, it is lovely to see you again.”
My brother blushed ferociously and bowed. “You too, my Goddess.”
She walked to him and touched his chest gently, over his heart. “I am glad you have decided to allow this to heal.”
Kevin had to clear his throat before he was able to speak, and still his voice sounded gravelly. “Me too.”
The Goddess’s gaze found Shaunee. She was staring in open wonder at Nyx. Nyx crooked a finger, gesturing for her to come to her, which Shaunee did instantly.
The young fledgling curtsied deeply. “Merry meet, Nyx.”
“Merry meet, young fledgling. I approve of your taste in men.”
I wanted to fist pump and say YEA, but didn’t because it would’ve been totally inappropriate.
“But remember, you must be equally as wise in your taste in friends. Part of how we define ourselves is through those who we allow close to us. Be wise, Shaunee. Be strong. And know you cannot save everyone in your life.” Then Nyx kissed Shaunee’s forehead and an amazing adult vampyre tattoo made of sapphire flames bloomed across her face.
“Wow!” Kevin said. “That’s incredible.”
Shaunee’s hand shook as she touched her forehead and happy tears washed her cheeks. “Thank you, Goddess.”
Nyx turned to James, who was standing beside Kacie. They both bowed deeply. “I forgave you before you asked it of me, James Stark. Now my wish is that you forgive yourself and allow love to fill your life.”
James was crying openly. “Yes, Nyx. I will.”
Nyx smiled at Kacie. “Little Ice Cream Shoes.”
Kacie dimpled. “Merry meet, Goddess!”
“I see your heart. Know if you decide that is truly your wish I shall allow it. I will add one thing to perhaps help you in your decision—this world does need a prophetess, and you are, indeed, a Prophetess of Nyx, along with your other gifts.”
I felt a jolt of shock—though it was happy shock.
Nyx nodded at Aphrodite, who smiled as she curtsied. “Merry meet, Goddess.”
“Merry meet, Aphrodite from another world. You were wise today. I understand why you have been gifted so greatly.”
“Well, I tend to mess up, but—like my gift—I also get to try again and again, and I seem to, eventually, get things right.”
That made the Goddess laugh, and the sound was so fantastical that it made the night shiver around us and the stars blaze in the dark sky above us.
“Stevie Rae—Rephaim, merry meet.”
They bowed to the Goddess together, saying, “Merry meet, Nyx!”
Stevie Rae looked up, grinning. “You look just like our Nyx.”
The Goddess returned her smile. “That is because we are all really one.” She turned to Rephaim. “And as such I release you from your penance. Spend your long life together creating joy.” She touched Rephaim’s forehead and it blossomed into
