by Lizzy Ford
“You did not always think so,” she countered.
“As blinded as I was for vengeance, I couldn’t deny it for long. It’s not easy to question the truths you have believed your entire life. I resisted acknowledging what was in front of me. I let my pride judge you before I understood you,” he replied. “I intend … hope to be better, and make better decisions, for my people. They have entrusted me with leading them, and I will not be resistant to change or hasty to judge.” He paused, and his voice grew even softer. “I lied and deceived you. I hurt you, and I am sorry for it.”
“You also put your life in danger for mine more than once, even if you were not certain what you felt,” she pointed out.
“We are alike in that.”
Warmth blossomed within her. It was different, new. Happy. For the first time in her life, she was not afraid of what the day would bring, or what happened when her father found her. She was free to choose her path, free to feel what she wanted to feel, free of the Hanover curse.
Tiana looked around her and noticed the flowers, the pine needles, the blue sky peeking down at her with renewed interest. She had fallen in love with the forest the first time she set foot in it. This could be her home, if she chose, and Aveline and Diving Eagle could be her family. The thoughts filled her with unexpected joy, though a pang of sorrow remained. Arthur had not had the chance she did to become who he wished to be.
At the long silence, Diving Eagle shifted to his feet and held out his hand. Tiana accepted it, and he pulled her up easily.
“Aveline is here.” He stepped aside, indicating a dirt path leading towards a small clearing visible through the trees.
Tiana started past him and paused, facing him again. “I would like to stay here. With you,” she said. “I want to help you and Marshall rebuild our world. I want a Hanover to help repair all the damage other Hanover’s have done.” She paused, thinking. “Just please do not ask me to return to the city.”
“I will not.” Diving Eagle started to smile, the first real smile she had ever seen from him. The tension slid from his features and for once, he did not look as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
“And, you must promise me, if I do turn mad, you will drive that knife through my heart,” she added.
“If it brings you peace, then I agree,” he said. “But I feel you will never face your family’s madness.”
“I am not so sure,” she said. “I trust you, with everything.”
“It’s an honor to gain your trust, Tiana.”
Satisfied, Tiana turned and walked towards the clearing. Aveline was not alone in the meadow. Rocky was with her, along with Jose and Warner, whose midsection was bandaged but whose face shone with life once more.
Tiana had eyes for no one else but Aveline. She bolted and threw herself into her sister’s arms. Aveline lost her balance with a laugh, and they toppled into the grass.
Sitting up, Tiana hugged Aveline again. When her trembling stopped, Tiana pulled away. Aveline was smiling.
“You are really returning to the city?” Tiana asked.
“For a short time. But … I don’t think I want to stay there. Marshall will not ban me even though I am a Hanover by birth, but it does not seem right for any of us with that man’s blood in our veins to remain,” Aveline replied. “Jose is needed to re-establish the electricity, and Warner will return to lead the new Shield once he heals.”
Tiana glanced towards her brother’s longtime lover. “The skinwalker is gone. His magic has left the wound?”
Aveline nodded. “I’ll stay until I find Karl or his body. Then … I avoided learning about my Native heritage for too long. Once I have found my father’s betrayer, I think I will learn about this side of me.” She lifted her bear claw.
“I am sorry about your mother. And Arthur,” Tiana whispered. “I am sorry I could not save them.”
“You saved all of us.” Aveline hugged her. “We are sisters. What you always wanted.”
More warmth filled Tiana.
“Though I’m not too happy to learn my real father was a Hanover,” Aveline added with a small laugh. “Did you retain any of your power?”
“Some,” Tiana replied.
“Good. You can use it to keep a certain Diné chief in line and make sure he doesn’t decide to declare war on Marshall.”
“I do not think I will need to use it.” Tiana smiled and glanced towards Diving Eagle. She tilted her head and looked past the Native. The translucent, spirit form of Black Wolf lingered in the forest. Her mixed feelings about the creature remained. In the end, when it mattered, he chose to help rather than harm, and this was how she wanted to remember him.
She lifted a hand to him. He raised his in return.
“I really hope we aren’t haunted for eternity,” Aveline said, looking towards the apparition.
“He can do no harm now,” Tiana replied. She returned her attention to her sister. “I think we are entering a period of peace. The first this city has known since the Old World. I am glad we are both here to see it.”
“Me, too.”
The two of them held one another in silence.
Despite her exhaustion and tragedy of losing Arthur, Tiana could not recall starting her day with more hope than she felt in the clearing that morning.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Black Wolf had not been invited to the spirit realm after his death. He had not expected to be. He watched the reunion of the Hanover sisters, pleased to have died on his terms and more than a little pleased to have been right about Tiana.
“The judgment has been made.” The vengeful spirit in the form of the boy materialized at his side. “One hundred years for every life you took.”
Black Wolf shrugged. “Unlike you, I do not care if I am a lost spirit trapped here.”
“You have learned nothing!” the boy complained. “But perhaps you will after you have served your time.”
Wandering alone for the next two million years was not the best news Black Wolf had ever received. But he had never deluded himself into believing he would not face some consequences for his actions, even if this knowledge never stopped him from massacring anyone.
“And, against our better judgment, we are granting you one concession,” the spirit said reluctantly. “Your only selfless act in a lifetime was to sacrifice your life to save others. We granted her request to serve your penance with you.”
Black Wolf’s guide, in her wolf form, materialized beside the boy.
Black Wolf smiled and then laughed. She leapt towards him, and he caught her in his arms. He swung her around and hugged her hard, thrilled he was able to feel her soft fur again and smell her woodsy scent.
“This is no penance at all,” he retorted to the vengeful boy.
“Do not make us regret this,” the boy said and then disappeared.
Black Wolf lowered the spirit wolf to the ground. She did not wait him to choose a destination but trotted into the forest, as eager to explore as he was.
Black Wolf glanced one last time towards the Hanover girls and their companions. With a smile, he turned and followed his guide into the woods.
Also by Lizzy Ford
Lost Vegas – young adult post-apocalyptic
Aveline
Tiana
Arthur
Black Wolf
*
Spell Realm Series (coming summer 2017) – young adult fantasy
Water Spell (2017)
Dragon Spell (2018)
Moon Spell (2018)
Sword Spell (2019)
*
History Interrupted – time travel romance
West
East
North (2017)
South (2018)
*
Omega Beginnings Series
Alessandra
Mismatch
Phoibe
Lantos
Theodocia
Niko
Cleon
Herakles
/> *
Omega Series
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)
*
Theta Beginnings Miniseries (novelettes)
Silent Queen
Mercenary
Shadow Titan
People’s Champion
*
Non-Series – 2014 - 2017
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
White Tree Sound (2017)
Highlander Enchanted
The Door
The Fall of Esme (2017)
Sons of War – contemporary military romance
Semper Mine
Soldier Mine
SEAL Mine (2017)
*
Super Villainess
It’s Not Easy Being Evil
It’s Not Easy Being Good
*
Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Ascended
Starwalkers – complete (#1-6)
*
Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope
*
Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger
*
Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption
*
Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
Twisted Karma (2017)
*
War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God
*
Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God
*
Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (TBD)
Speak No (TBD)
*
Unnamed Series
Unnatural (TBD)
Unmade (TBD)
*
Omega
Omega
Theta
Alpha (2017)
*
Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Sun
*
Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter
*
Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart
*
Witchlings – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Winter Fire
Spring Rain
*
Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World
*
Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed
*
As SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights Box Set (Serials 1-7)