One by one they leave, I hug each one as they go out into the world to live their lives, I want all of them to find their happiness, to find some peace in their lives after everything we have been through together. And I hope we will see each other again, even Adam.
“Asher Blaze,” I say to him, tears clogging my throat at the thought of saying goodbye to him forever.
He smiles. “Phoenyx Ember. We were a force to be reckoned with, weren’t we?”
“Yes we were. I will never forget you, Ash, please don’t be a stranger. I couldn’t bare never seeing you again.” Staring into his amber eyes. So many memories of our time together flood my mind; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“See you soon kid,” he says kissing the top of my head before walking out of my life, once again.
Mason and I are heading back to Marcus’s house for the time being until we decide what to do with the rest of our lives. Whatever we do, Mason will be by my side as always. We are the last to say good bye to Marcus. I walk into his open arms, clinging to him, unable to control the sob that erupts from my chest. He will always be my brother; protective and fierce, pig headed and controlling. I love him for it all.
“I have a present for you, my sweet Phee,” he says against my ear. I pull back looking up into his stormy grey eyes. He brushes his fingers over my temple and just as I open my mouth to protest, images flood my mind. Images of Mason. Young sweet faced Mason with sad eyes. He gives me my memories of Mason. Us as kids playing, him drying my tears, me drying his tears, our first kiss, him holding me in his arms. Every moment of our love that was stolen, playing before me. I burst into tears.
Mason steps up to stop Marcus but I raise my hand. “Thank you,” I say kissing my brother’s cheek before we climb into the car, saying goodbye for now, not forever.
“What did he give you?” Mason asks.
“You, he gave me memories of you. I always felt like part of my heart was missing. I didn’t know it until now that it was you,” I say through the tears, leaning into his side. Ready to start my life.
Epilogue
Two Years Later…
Watching the sunset from the balcony with the birds chirping in the garden, the sounds of peace and nature I feel at peace. Home sweet home. The gardens always seemed to soothe my soul.
Silas tried to get me pardoned but there are only so many strings he can pull. Everything we went through didn’t change the fact that I was banished to the island. This place is in my heart and soul, there is nowhere on earth I feel more at home than here, on the island, at the Academy.
It’s crazy how life comes full circle. I started out a messed up kid forced to be here and now I live and work here helping the endless stream of broken children sent to the Academy for guidance and training. I see myself in so many of their faces. We were once so young and scared, hoping to find somewhere we can call home. Our work is important and I value every moment and the contribution I make to it. If my time on tour taught me anything it’s that life is precious. I’ll be forever grateful for every breath.
Every evening I looking out over the beautiful gardens. Remembering every moment. Memories so vivid, some make me cry, some make me laugh out loud. Would I make the same mistakes if I lived it over again? No, probably not, I made a lot of stupid mistakes but we don’t get a do over in this life. No one is changing my memories. The good, the bad and the ugly, I own every moment because it lead me here. It made me strong and fierce and taught me how to fight for love and freedom.
Arms curl around me from behind as Mason’s lips brush my neck. “Hello, beautiful.” I lean into him; no words are needed. He knows where my mind wanders in these quiet moments.
Mikka rushes out onto the balcony, bursting our love bubble as only kids can do. “Jasper set a whole flower on fire!” Her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. Her cheeks pink with the exertion of running to get us. Mason and I look from her to each other and laugh.
“Don’t worry,” Mason says. “I’m good at putting out fires.” He kisses my cheek before taking Mikka by the hand and leading her outside. We both accepted jobs with the Academy. Building a life in the place where it all began. Some of the children we rescued are here with us. Their families either long gone or willing to sell them in a heartbeat. At first, they treated Mason and me like we were superheroes. Mason told them that with enough practice, anyone can save the world.
Tonight is a big deal; Silas is scheduled to give his first speech as the leader of the New World. We chose to watch from the comfort of our living room, snuggled up on the couch. He told us we were more than welcome to stand by his side, but that life isn’t ours, anymore. I have no interest in being in the public eye. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.
My cell dings with a text.
Ianna: ITS STARTING!
Me: We are watching! The crowd is HUGE! How’s Silas?
Ianna: Kai says he’s nervous as all heck but confident.
Silas approaches the podium at center stage they all cheer. Clapping my hands like I’m there I smile at Mase. “Look, it’s Silas!”
Mason chuckles against my side, “I see him.”
“This world of ours has been under compulsion for decades. None of us have ever felt true freedom. We have that precious freedom in our grasp. We can co-exist; we can work together to repair this broken world. We will remake our world, in peace.”
His speech continues, his words are powerful and evoke hope in his people. He’s speaking with such passion. A beacon of light and hope in this once dark world. The light that will show us a new future. I knew Silas was meant to do something amazing, there is so much goodness in him. Watching him lead, is a beautiful thing. I know our world is safe in his incorruptible hands. If anyone could lead the world into a peaceful future, it’s Silas.
Mason squeezes my hand. I stare into his eyes, through it all he has always held my hand and my heart. He has loved me quietly and picked me up when I fell. Lending me his strength and helping me carry the weight of the world.
“No regrets?” he asks. “You could be queen of the new world. Instead of ending up right back where you started.”
I know he thinks about this more than he should. I suppose in his eyes Silas could give me the world. I shake my head and smile, saying, “I’m exactly where I want to be, with you, always with you, Mase.”
He flicks the TV off. “Enough politics. You know what time it is?” Rubbing his hands together smiling.
I laugh shaking my head. “Naked wresting time?”
“Ding, ding, ding! Somebody give the lady a prize.”
“You’re an idiot.” I love this man.
“I love you too, babe.” Kissing me deeply.
I still believe in what we did as Titans. Sometimes I wonder if the Titans still go out on missions to keep the world safe. I’ve never asked Marcus; I’m happily stay out of it. Maybe we didn’t save the world, but we did make it better for a lot of people.
Each year a new batch of trainees come and go, Mason and I give these kids somewhere to call home so they don’t feel so alone, so different. It’s not easy and more than a few times I swear I am being paid back for the pain in the ass I was when I first got here, but I know that a little love and security go a long way in helping these kids.
This life is simple but I have had enough excitement. Hand in hand I will follow Mason; my guardian, my best friend, my love, into our future.
THE END
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Titan Elite (Demigods Duet Book 2) Page 15