by Adria Eustis
There wasn't much energy left in her at all, but she forced herself on towards home. Turning into her street, she stood back and looked at it in disbelief for a while – when she'd signed up on that volunteer board – she hadn't actually believed she'd last more than a day.
Heart pounding, she flung open the front door, all the scents of home filled her nostrils. Aunt Maire's perfume still lingered, mixed in with Rohn's sweaty socks and Erisha's crayons.
“Ni!” Eri said, bounding forwards and leaping into her arms.
Nina sank to her knees in the doorway, hugging Eri as tight as she could. Covering her with kisses as tears welled in her eyes.
“How are you feeling?” She asked, pushing her back for a second to get a look of her condition.
“I feel happy Ni! Don't leave us again, Rohn doesn't read stories like you do.”
Eri looked well, her hair and eyes back to their proper shades, smile full of life. The little girl bounced around, no coughs, no runny nose. Nina felt her forehead, fever was gone. Rohn appeared at the kitchen doorway, drying his hands on a towel. She barely recognised him in blue jeans and a jumper.
“Sorry I couldn't meet you, something came up. They were after me.”
“No worries, me and Eri found it okay. Though we do owe the man a new vase, she kind of got excited when she could stand again.”
It wasn't like Rohn to show his emotions, so she was taken back when he breezed over and joined in the hug.
“This all too good to be true,” Nina whispered into tear soaked hair.
“I knew you'd be back, I knew you wouldn't give up.” Rohn said.
“How could I? I could never leave you guys alone, one more week and you'd have burnt the house down making toast I'm sure.”
They all laughed, “I don't want this to be awkward,” Nina said, “I'd rather not talk much about what happened over there.”
“Then we won't ask,” Rohn said, “but if you want to talk, I've gotten much better as listening lately. Who knew Eri could talk so much?”
“Is she gonna be alright?” Nina asked.
“Yeah, she's gonna be just fine. I'm more worried about you now.”
“Guess you've seen the news?” She asked, closing the front door and ushering them all in side.
“Who hasn't? Can you believe it? I keep having to pinch myself.”
The television was playing in the living room, Rohn picked up the remote, flicked through all the channels. Every one of them taken up by 'breaking news'. She watched the scene in Yorehelm unfolded again and again in all different angles and closeness. Cain in all his godly gorgeousness with his bow of godly powers. She could see the resemblance in his father too now, they had the same stunning blue eyes.
“You know who that is right?” She asked, kicking off her boots and sinking into the comfy armchair.
“The same guy who stabbed up the garage not long ago,” Rohn replied from the kitchen. “yeah, it's what they've been saying.”
He returned with a sandwich and a cup of hot coffee for her, she'd never realised how much she loved the aroma.
“We have a new leader Ni, Rohn says.”
“Uh huh, a nice one.”
“Time for bed you. Your sister needs to rest, and it's way over your bedtime.”
She kissed Eri goodnight, and stared longingly at the screen whilst Rohn carried the little girl to her room. Warmth, comfort, food in her belly. Nina relaxed every aching muscle in her body. The next thing she knew, it was morning and a blanket had been thrown over her.
~
A bird tweeted on the windowsill, Eri was pouring cereal into a bowl and Rohn came out of his room in his white Chen Ninzi uniform. She tilted her head back and smiled widely at the ceiling, how good it was to be home.
“What happens now?” Rohn asked, the moment she emerged from her room, all showered and in clean clothing.
Nina dumped her island clothing in the rubbish bin, letting the lid slam shit with a metallic smack!
“What happens now, is that we put the past where it belongs, in the past. And we go on and do everything we always wanted to do.” She folded her arms, marvelled at the normality of home-life. Eri was her old self, Rohn was doing a good job of pretending like everything had always been okay. Just like she'd expected.
“Okay, but before I put the past in a box, I just have to say one thing. I don't know how the hell you became the first person to escape from Dedite's Island. But I knew you'd be home. I just knew it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
JANINA
October, Year of the Pearl Acacia
That same day. Nina felt lost as the day went on. Like she'd been snatched from the world and dropped back down into it years later. Though it was only days it felt so long. Nothing was going to be the same ever again. But still she had to get on with things, starting with fixing their financial situation. Rohn was in the back garden, practising his martial arts as Eri made mud pies and collected worms. Pulling her coat over a comfy blue dress she headed out of the front door with Imperia's necklace in her pocket, wondering just how much she could get for it at Gin's Pawn Shop in town.
The door opened and the fresh air caressed her face, blowing through her nice clean, no longer annoyingly itchy hair. The sun seemed brighter today, perhaps it knew of the world's celebrations. All morning the TV was filled with King Bryce, he'd been making more speeches from the royal palace in Prille. The prisoners of Dedite's Island were being released as soon as possible, aside from those whom actually deserved to be there. She'd pick up a cake on the way home, hoped her uncle was amongst those released, they knew not if he was even still alive. Opal was fresh in her thoughts, though she doubted the poor girl had made it. Regret would eat away at her forever for leaving her.
So bright was the sun that she found herself only able to look at the ground as she walked the garden path. Reaching out her hand for the gate, she jumped back in surprise as the wood instead felt like flesh.
“Sorry I left you.”
A shadow blocked the blinding lights and she looked up with a heat in her lungs, though already she knew the voice.
“Cain.”
“Nina.”
He opened the gate, pulled her into his arms. She felt like all her birthdays had come all at once. All her dreams come true. Her head against his chest, he kissed her forehead with those luscious lips, they rocked like a gentle breeze, she giggled with delight.
“I had to make sure the artifact was put somewhere safe. Bryce wasn't letting me go anywhere till it was in his vault.”
“You're on first name terms with the king?”
“Have been for a while. Wish I could have told you, kinda couldn't though, you know, being watched and all.”
“I feel like a total idiot.”
They split apart after the hug, she closed the gate nervously, never was too good with conversations with boys.
He looked as handsome as ever, piercing blue eyes staring deep into her soul, he might be able to speak freely now, but he still wore that look of a walking, talking riddle. He wore ripped blue jeans and a leather jacket. Stuck his hands in his pockets, his cologne warm and enchanting. She suddenly wished she'd worn a better dress.
“Don't. You had every right to assume I was a complete moron.”
“I just can't believe any of it yet, it hasn't really registered. Keep thinking I'm going to wake up and be back there.”
He smiled, oh so slightly, she wanted to punch his arm, for once could he not be so fascinating to look at?
“I know, my face is everywhere. I got famous overnight and I really don't want to be. Hopefully it'll die down.” He half sat on her garden wall, folded his strong arms against his chest. Black t-shirt pulled tight across his tempting muscles. Chocolate wavy hair stroking his face.
“That's got to suck, you know, being a hero and all.”
He laughed, ran a hand through his long stubble. “You know, in movies, the hero always gets the girl.”
She felt her cheeks heat. He reached a hand out, she took it and was twirled towards him, landing shoulder to shoulder against the wall. Electricity tingled through every inch of her body. Cain took her chin in his thumb and index finger, held her gaze firmly. Dreamy eyelids. Breathing short and quick, the suspense was thrilling. A brushing of lips. Her fingers finally entwined in his hair, how long she'd begged to touch him like that. His other hand curved around her waist. Molten heat cursed through her veins, she wanted to never let go. Lips on lips, tongue on tongue, wet and juicy. Lost in time. Closing her eyes she saw stars, as her hand trembled blindly over his robust chest. Just her and her love. The world could be gone for all she cared, drifting out into space, he was all she needed for the rest of eternity. Cold shivers down her spine. Whisk me away, make me yours.
In the heat of the moment they were rudely interrupted by a car horn beeping. Cain pulled away, taking his nectar taste with him.
“I can't stay.” He looked at her with sad eyes as he stroked her hair away from her cheek.
“You just got here.”
“I know. Nina. I know that I tortured you with my silence, so before I want to tell you everything. I didn't attack those men at the motor garage. Remember I said my father was searching for someone?”
“Yeah.”
“He was looking for Bryce. And he found him. Then they put together the assassination plan. They knew that weapon was there, on the island. I was the only one who fit the criteria to retrieve it. I trained for months, and then when the time came, we looked for a crime that would get me in there as a rank 3, since we didn't know how long it would take for me to find it I needed as long as possible. Those mechanics were savaged by wolfs in the early morning, not me, swear I didn't do it. One of our men came across the scene and I was brought over to take the blame for it. Then, inside the prison, you showed up, and the moment I saw you I, well I, I wanted you. I tried to ignore my feelings but I ended up following you to make sure you were safe.”
“You saw that?”
“I was ready to help you the second you needed it... though you seemed to be handling most of it. You gave some of them what they deserved, that much I'll admit.” He looked impressed.
“Can't believe you saw that. That's creepy as hell.”
“Sorry. You can punish me later.” His eyes flicked away.
“I knew you were definitely my kind of girl. Strong, determined, gorgeous, still going on when all seemed lost. It pained me to watch you doing what I knew you didn't want to be doing. But you did it cause you had to. We did it cause we had to.”
“I was scared of you at first you know.”
“You thought I'd hurt you?” He laughed, ran his fingers down her arm. “I just wanted to protect you, nearly threw the whole plan out of the window doing so. Argh, I wanted so bad to tell you that you didn't have to keep scoring points, but that would have completely blown the entire mission if I'd explained why.”
“Well, I get everything now. And you sure than made up for it.”
The huge weight on her shoulders finally lifted free. Their foreheads met. The man in the car across the street beeped again.
“Who is that?” She asked.
“Cohen, remember from yesterday?”
“Oh yeah. They let him go already?”
“Unfortunately, he's one pain I wouldn't mind being locked up for a week.”
“Do you have to go?”
“I'd much rather stay with you. But the mission didn't end with the death of the king, I already signed up to help with the clean up of the mess the Peace Bringers left. A few days and I'll come back. We have castles to see remember.”
“Promise?”
“Promise, and you know I don't break my promises.”
EPILOGUE
The beginning of a new era had begun. Ainin came to know the true meaning of peace. Police forces were recruited. Courtrooms were returned. The justice system was restored to old ways. Dedite's Island would be known from then on by it's original name of Drith Atoll. The penitentiary remained standing, though under the management of a new warden. It kept house of the rank 3 prisoners, and one by one the crimes of the inmates were assessed and those wrongly sentenced under the old laws were released.
One week later Maire's husband arrived back home, into the arms of his nieces and nephew. He would dedicate his days bringing up Erisha and fishing near the waters where he set up a memorial for his late wife.
The fate of the shifter Zane so far remains unknown.
Opal was found some days later unscathed in the woods. She went on to return to her homeland of Eumor, and to her joy was adopted by a kind librarian.
Rohn Ambrose went on to win the next Chen Ninzi World Championship. And he did indeed buy them a new house.
Nina Ambrose sat off to travel the world with Ainin's hero: Cain Salezar.