“I still say we should have gone to a real beach.” Angeline walked out of the house with a tray of drinks and stopped in her tracks when she saw Dan. Shane winked at Storm and deftly removed the tray from Angeline’s hand before she leapt into his brother’s arms. Dan swung Angeline around and kissed her full on the mouth.
“Blech! I thought the mushiness would diminish. You told me it would, Shane!” Olivia emerged from the house with a second tray.
Storm laughed and glanced at Ryder, meeting his eye through the crowd and mouthing “I love you” to him. “Liv, I don’t think it ever goes away.”
“And why should it?” Angeline withdrew from Dan and reclaimed her tray of drinks from Shane. “I hope these are right. The blue one goes to Soph, non-alcoholic goodness for her.” Angeline slid into the sun chair on the other side of Storm and Dan settled at her feet. Olivia slipped into the hammock she’d insisted on ordering when they all pooled together for their last Willow Wood project. It had arrived just in time for their party, the one year anniversary of their victory.
Storm still woke up in the middle of the night to listen for signs of an attack that never came. She still looked over her shoulder sometimes when they went out. It had been one year since she freed her uncle from the darkness and bound it in the book. One year since she anchored her room to Willow Wood to hide the book from anyone who would try to re-open it and release the darkness within. Willow Wood had been rebuilt, remodeled to accommodate their expanded family and all of their needs. She had been able to smooth things over with Dorian, and for that she was grateful. He’d visited on occasion and it was for him that the downstairs wing had been rebuilt and reinforced. Dorian had declined to join them for these festivities, even though they’d originally planned to hold them after sunset. Without Dorian, the others convinced her to move up the party and take advantage of the lovely weather. Still, she felt a small pang of guilt and sadness at his absence. Dorian had done so much, and paid a higher price than any of them.
“The vampire will be fine, granddaughter.” Roane’s voice jerked Storm from her reverie. “I have spoken with him. The loss of Gregoire has not affected him as you would think. He feels a certain freedom now. I believe that his fascination with Angeline has waned with her rebirth as well. Dorian does not wish to be present because he intends to honor this day in his own way. Do not worry, he is not alone, but that is a story for another time.”
Storm looked up to her grandfather, his face full of color and life again and beside him, Damarra. They smiled in unison, their faces lighting with love and pride that warmed her to her core. “Are they coming?”
Damarra nodded, “Yes, they’ll be here very soon, dear.”
Storm let her head sink into the headrest. Everything was as it should be. Her world was whole. She glanced at her friends, noticing how so many things had come full circle.
“It is the way of life, Storm Sullivan.” The White Lady, or, Morrigan as she preferred to be called in their small circle, walked toward her on Nuada’s arm. She looked lovely floating out of the orchard. Everybody murmured greetings to the pair though a few were still too formal for Storm’s tastes. Storm knew it would take time for people to get used to having Morrigan and Nuada around though things had gone far better than she had anticipated when the news broke. It had something to do with Ryder’s influence she was sure, but all that mattered to her was the growing acceptance of her extended family.
Nuada reached her first, leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly, “Hello, niece.”
Storm nodded and received Morrigan’s welcome. “Morgaine apologizes for not coming but she has promised herself elsewhere.” Morrigan smiled secretively.
Storm looked from Roane to Morrigan and clapped a hand over her mouth. “Morgaine and Dorian!?”
Morrigan nodded pleasantly. “Everything works out in the end, Storm.” Nuada nudged his mate gently. “Oh! I – we brought you a gift.” She gestured toward the orchard. All eyes turned and there were several gasps. Trin Sullivan stepped into the sunlight and walked their way, auburn hair shining like fire in the sunlight and something small nestled in her arms.
“Go to her, Storm.” Nuada pressed, his chocolate eyes full of warmth and affection.
Tears burned at Storm’s eyes as she handed Autumn to her grandparents and stood. She sprinted across the yard and threw her arms around her aunt’s shoulders, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Sh, calm down, Storm, you’ll squish him, luv.” Aunt Trin pulled back to reveal a small puppy, barely a few months old who looked remarkably familiar. “He’s just a regular dog now, but I think you will find him just as brave and loyal as ever.” Aunt Trin handed her the small puppy. He opened his little eyes and took in her face. Storm nuzzled him close.
“PacMan!” His little tongue licked at her tears. Storm looped her arm through her aunt’s and led her back to the gathering. “How long do you get to stay?”
“For a while, I would say.” Aunt Trin looked at Morrigan and nodded deferentially.
“What?” Storm choked the question out.
“I told you I brought you a gift.” Morrigan grinned, her arm looped about Nuada’s waist and her head on his shoulder. “Did you think the puppy was your gift?”
“But – you- I mean – how?” Storm spluttered over the words, trying to form a question, this could not be real.
“Your aunt was not mean to be a casualty, it was not her time. I am merely setting right what was wrong. Trin Sullivan has many years left to live.” Morrigan spoke with her usual air of dignity but added in a more casual tone, “besides, she is really irritating sometimes.”
“I second that.” Ryder chimed in as he slid in on Storm’s other side and threw Aunt Trin his most unapologetic look.
“Watch it, Immortal. I might see fit reclaim my home, starting with my room.” Aunt Trin arched an eyebrow at him.
“I’d like to see you try, Trin.” Ryder challenged playfully.
Storm laughed, “Enough you two!” She detached from her aunt and her mate to pick up her drink and plucked out the miniature umbrella to place it behind her ear. Everything was going to work out just right.
A note from the author
Thank you for sharing my adventure. Storm and Ryder will never be far from my thoughts but I will not be revisiting their story directly. Some of the secondary characters from the Emerald Seer Series may appear in future works and I will likely release short stories and excerpts that did not make the final copy but this is truly the last Emerald Seer novel. I truly hope you have enjoyed the adventure as much as I have.
Many thanks,
Violet Patterson
http://emeraldseer.blogspot.com
Twitter: @booksbyviolet
The Storm Sullivan Saga: The Emerald Seer Series Box Set Page 75