Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(85)
Then, at the end, she'd left us all, completing her self-imposed mission.
She'd planned this so carefully, down to the minutest detail, and on another day, I would marvel at her skill.
But not today. Today, I would mourn my mate, as was proper.
*
Opal
"It's over."
Bekzi and I were the only ones left at the villa, now.
In the last wave of changes, our guests had disappeared, some in a group, others by themselves. Poor James—he'd shouted and wept when Nathan disappeared first.
"This," Bekzi swept out his hand, indicating the villa, "It belong someone else, now."
"The original owner," I agreed. "We're a few years earlier than when we started out. Earth's history—some of it, will take a detour and go down a different road."
"Yes." Bekzi nodded. "Still," he added, "I make promise. I keep." He disappeared.
*
Larentii Archives
Nefrigar, Chief Archivist
I followed Valegar as he gently carried the replacement body Corinne had left in the Archives. I thought perhaps he'd lay it on a pedestal in the same room with those left behind by the Three.
Instead, he carried it toward the section of Earth's history that had gone dark. There, he fashioned a glass box for Corinnelar's duplicate and set it carefully amid the chaos that this particular section had become.
In all of it, the replacement body looked beautiful and pristine. I watched as Valegar's tears dropped onto the glass before he stepped away.
Mourning is never simple.
Or easy.
It is a painful, solitary journey that we all take, at times.
I love you, child, I sent to him. As do your brothers. We will stand with you in the days ahead, no matter what comes.
*
Dublin, Ireland
Katya, the message began,
I regret to inform you that your father, Ilya Kuznetzov, passed from this life earlier today while still in prison. My condolences to you and Sergei for this terrible loss.
Ambassador Bespalov
Katya wept.
*
One Year Later
Notes—Colonel Hunter
I read the message on my phone for the fifth time. Laci knocked on my study door again, telling me we would be late for dinner with the President and Secretary of State. I understood that newly elected Amelia Sanders was looking to fill her cabinet. What I failed to understand was why she might consider me.
After Merle Askins' sudden death, the Joint Chiefs had resigned, leaving a gap that Madam President would have to fill quickly. Shaking those thoughts away, I turned my attention to the message on my phone.
James was dead. James, Lieutenant Nathan Cross, James' companion, and two others had been killed in a diving accident off the coast of Hawaii.
I couldn't comprehend that James was gone. The media had the idea that he and Lieutenant Cross were together and were reporting them as a couple. I always imagined that James would tell me someday, but not like this.
"Come in, sweetheart," I said when Laci knocked on the door again. "I have bad news," I added.
*
Le-Ath Veronis
Queen Lissa's Private Journal
"What is it?" I asked. Renée Coffin, my third personal assistant, walked into my study with a cream-colored envelope in her hand. I froze.
I knew that stationery.
What the hell was Charles up to now?
"It says," Renée began, "To Queen Lissa, from Corinne Watson."
I didn't draw a breath for several seconds.
Corinne was dead—she'd separated her own particles in the past. She'd learned, however, the trick the Larentii had for delivering messages at a specified time in the future. Instead of mindspeech, however, she'd taken another tack, making sure I'd sit up and take notice.
Smart woman.
Well, Larentii. I held out my hand, willing it not to shake.
Renée handed the envelope to me.
Hello, Lissa, the message began.
I was hoping to be there in the past, when Winkler decided to hand the Pack to his son by deliberately losing the challenge. I was supposed to be there, I think, but things got in the way.
What this means, really, is that if you love your werewolf, then you need to go now—don't delay—and save him from himself. I know you hold the power and talent now to do it, whereas you didn't in the past.
Go save your love. I would have if it were possible.
Corinne
Without stopping to blink, I bent time and folded space. There wasn't any way I would ever not love my wolf, and I would save him now because, as Corinne so deftly pointed out, it was necessary and she couldn't. Belen would get a surprise visit from me afterward, but it was possible that he wouldn't be so surprised after all.
*
Karathia
"It's a boy," the healer smiled at the mother. The boy's father, Braxlin Ironsmith, stood nearby, nodding proudly. The labor had been long and intense. The mother's eyes closed in exhaustion and she slept while the healer settled the baby at her breast.
Braxlin had a son—his first child and a warlock to add to the family. He was more than proud and smiled fondly at wife and child.
"The name? For the records?" The healer asked.
"His name will be Ilya," a woman appeared.
"We wanted to name him Brylin," Braxlin snapped, his voice stiff. "Who are you? Why are you interfering here?"