Chapter 478: Sacred Story
Penelope and Zagan were huddled against a tree, enfolded in each other’s arms and whispering to each other while August watched the caged vampire continue to beat against the invisible wall and glare at her with the most menacing expression.
But the island had stopped quaking, and the storm seemed to have rolled back out toward the sea. Sunlight was shining again through the gaps in the trees with a renewed peace that was promised after every storm. August smiled to herself. It seemed Nedra was healed of whatever had been defeating her internally. And she had a feeling she knew how.
When Zagan returned from the castle after speaking to Nedra, there was a weight that had been lifted from him as well. He had kept Seth and Nedra from each other, holding the threat of something happening to Seth over her head for so long in order to keep Nedra doing all that he needed. But the need for cages and containment facilities and cuffs and even portal worlds was over. And more so even than that, Zagan had become aware and remorseful of his actions.
Despite the caged monstrous insect that was roaring in fury amongst them, everything here finally felt at peace. August sighed contentedly. She would be able to return home soon. After they finally took care of this one last threat, she would be able to return to Graeme.
Her hands unconsciously moved over her stomach. This growing heir of his was something she desperately wanted to share with him. It was crazy to think of how upset she had been at the idea of becoming pregnant. It was still so soon in their relationship—that reality had not changed—but she could not deny that calm, soothing reassurance now inside of her that spoke of how everything had its precise time. And this baby was here at this precise time for a reason.
"I miss you, Graeme," she whispered, sending the message to the peaceful air around her.
"August," Zagan’s hesitant voice found her as he and Penelope walked to her side, their fingers intertwined between them.
"Hmm?" Her eyes focused from where they had been cast off dreamily thinking of her mate.
"I..." he started and lost his confidence, looking down at his feet before getting the courage to try again. These words were not readily available. He had not used them many times before. "I know that there is truly nothing I can say, but for what it is worth, I am sorry. You will be back with him soon. After all, you made me vow to it," his eyes went from remorseful to shining with a bit of humor.
"That’s right, I did... Cian, was it? Cian Vesper?" She chuckled at the name he had invented for himself in the beginning. "I didn’t realize I made you vow it, though. You could have simply said you would try."
Zagan shook his head. "No," he said. "There was something about that moment. It was as if you had compelled me. But judging by that new design on your arm and the power you now seem to have, that is not all that surprising. You are clearly fae. And the fae are the only creatures who can control a vampire that way."
"I compelled you?" Her eyes went wide. She had no idea at the time that was what happened.
"It is not exactly the same as what vampires do. When we compel..." he glanced at Penelope guiltily and she gave him a crooked smile. "When we compel, the other is put into a kind of trance state, and they don’t remember anything afterward. And it takes its toll... on us as well as on the one who is compelled. That was not the effect of yours. It felt free of the negative price, and I obviously remembered it afterward."
"I can’t believe I did it without realizing it," she said.
"I couldn’t either at the time," he chuckled. "I was determined to get away from you at that point before you could make me vow to anything else."
"Hmm." August smiled. "That makes me happy."
Zagan and Penelope both chuckled at that.
"I can’t say I’m happy to be here," August said, continuing to caress her stomach, "but it is for a purpose. You two were meant to find one another."
Zagan nodded and looked back down at his feet. "I don’t understand. I don’t deserve it."
"It is not about what you deserve, Zagan," August said, suddenly propelled by a truth that felt beyond herself. "We are all shapes cut out of the divine. We are all intended for a sacred story that balances the universe. This was meant to be your time with Penelope. Don’t waste your time questioning it—embrace it and enjoy the time you have together. Life is precious," her eyes smiled with the last line, as life was now his.
Zagan’s forehead cleaved and he nodded, squeezing Penelope’s hand. "It is astonishing... having wanted to live only to die for so long. And now... and now..." he turned to gaze at his mate. He couldn’t imagine leaving her, but he knew now for the first time in his existence that his time was limited. "I’m going to appreciate every moment," he swallowed.
"That is good to hear," August smiled. She was overjoyed for them. Zagan had done awful things, it was true. But a shift in perspective changes everything.
Penelope tugged him toward her, claiming his mouth with a kiss that set his being alight once again. She couldn’t understand this either, but she wasn’t going to deny the pure feelings of joy and love and something so large that it couldn’t be contained within her, so it had to be shared with her partner. The Goddess was in this, it was undeniable. And she wasn’t going to waste time questioning it.
From behind them, Seth and Nedra appeared from inside the castle. There was a signature bliss and completion in the air around them that seemed to echo that of Zagan and Penelope’s, and August sighed contentedly again as she watched them walk their way through the beams of sunlight filtering through the forest. All was as it should be now. All except the vampire throwing a tantrum in his secure vessel.
