A Tide of War

by Bella Forrest

  I brushed away a tear, the vision of Hazel in her white dress and her handsome sentry groom blurring. From her words, I sensed that she had found a love as deep and lasting as mine and Derek’s. I was witnessing souls that were truly entwined, that would stand the test of time.

  Tejus paused before returning his vows. I could see his jaw clenching slightly—the sign of a man unused to emotion and trying to repress it.

  “Hazel,” he replied in a hoarse voice, “being loved by you has been the most humbling experience of my life.” He moved closer to her, gently pulling her toward him. The couple had become completely unaware of the rest of us, their audience invisible as they created their own bubble consisting of just the two of them. “I will spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you and your love. I offer myself to you completely. It was I who captured you, but it is you who has enslaved me. I am forever your lover, your servant, your friend—and I will remain so beyond my dying breath.”

  The couple kissed, Tejus’s hand brushing against her jawline with the same reverence as if she were a precious jewel.

  The ceremony continued, Ash and Ruby exchanging equally beautiful vows that tugged at my heart. All four of them had been through so much together, to see them come out the other side, stronger and more sure of themselves, was so life-affirming I could feel the entire audience being moved—the love displayed at the altar being shared by every single member of GASP in one way or another.

  I looked around at the other guests. I could see Lucas and Marion with Avril, looking like a happy family unit—Avril’s arms were wrapped around Lucas’s neck as he held her up to see the ceremony. If that didn’t show how transformative and altering love could be, then nothing did. It was lovely to finally see Lucas so content, and so dedicated to ensuring the happiness of his family. Jeramiah and Pippa, his wife, stood nearby, both families growing so much closer over time. Lawrence and Grace were standing behind me, both so happy to be home and finally able to get into the routine of their married life—the Nevertide mission had come so soon after their return from their honeymoon, there had hardly been time to adapt to their newly married status at The Shade.

  I heard a sharp whisper, and looked over to see Brett and Bella with their adopted ogre kids who had been rescued from the harpies. Bella was trying her best to keep the little scamps under control. I laughed softly to myself. Derek and I were fortunate that Ben and Rose had been fairly easy as children. It was only when they’d grown up that they became a handful. All the fear, the worry, and the anxiety as they both navigated the supernatural world…let’s just say if I wasn’t an immortal I’d have quite a few gray hairs on my head. It had all been worth it, of course—watching them grow into adults with children of their own gave me and their father pleasure that we’d never even anticipated. The love and strength of our family just seemed to grow.

  Jeriad’s son Heath had also come for the day, traveling from the Hearthlands. It was good to see him again, and I wondered if we’d be seeing more of him in the future after he neared the end of his celibacy vow. He was such a good kid, and his rugged good looks were developing more with age, something that the younger female residents of The Shade hadn’t failed to notice.

  Arwen and Brock were holding hands, standing so close you couldn’t fit a dime between them. I also spied Orlando, standing near Regan—his eyes flitted over to her continuously throughout the ceremony, while Azaiah glanced at him occasionally, looking unsettled. Near the dragons stood Aisha, Horatio and Riza, the little girl held between her parents; they were obviously elated to be reunited with her, both of them looking down lovingly as she merrily chatted away to herself, sweetly oblivious to what was going on around her. My dad and Kailyn were standing with Hunter, another rescue from the harpy orphanage. The werewolf cub was doing well, his new parents blossoming along with him. It warmed me in ways I couldn’t express to see how Hunter brought out the tender side of my father.

  The music started up again, and the two couples made their way back along the aisle. Corrine and Mona had created special ‘confetti’ for all of us—each guest had been given a small paper box to be opened at the end of the ceremony. I lifted the flap of mine, and laughed in delight as four butterflies danced up into the air. They were joined by hundreds of others, their bright wings creating a beautiful, kaleidoscopic drape over the newly-weds.

  We all followed them out to the lake’s shore. Amidst the cheering and wolf-whistles, Hazel and Ruby threw their bouquets up in perfect unison. Rose and I jumped back, along with some of the other mothers, while the younger GASP members rushed forward in a delighted frenzy. There were screams of laughter as Field caught Hazel’s—well, it was more of a case of the falling flowers landing in his arms. He rolled his eyes, trying to push it on to one of the more enthusiastic girls, but they wouldn’t let him. Maura, standing next to him, blushed furiously—even more so when Orlando gave her a sly wink.

  I noticed Queen Nuriya and Sherus standing near one of the trestle tables, and started making my way over. Sherus had remained on the fire planet after returning briefly to Nevertide, and I hadn’t expected him to return to The Shade. It had come as a surprise to us all when not only had he returned, he had stayed on these last two weeks, spending most of his time with the jinni queen. Their unlikely friendship had surprised us all; clearly there was a romance blossoming there, and I was glad—Nuriya deserved to find love and her own happy ending after all the trauma she’d been through, losing her love along with every other male member of her family, and all she had done for us.

  Standing near them, but slightly out of the way, was the Oracle. She had remained in The Shade far longer than we had expected her to. She would be off after the ceremony today, but hadn’t told us whether she’d be returning to Nevertide or not. She looked imposingly beautiful, wearing a dress that Corrine had lent her, one that set off her impossibly pale skin and white-blonde hair. The strange dark markings danced across her skin. She had explained to us that they represented time—the ever-changing moments of the past and the future, forever etched onto her memory. She seemed slightly sad today, and I wondered if it was because she’d be leaving us.

  It had taken a while for many of The Shade’s residents to warm up to her—the usually kind-hearted River in particular. She remembered the Oracle sisters too well, but no one could forget the Ancients. Still, most had come to accept the Oracle—she was too kind and gentle for many to be put off for long. I couldn’t help but feel a great deal of compassion for her. Living up in that mountain for most of her life, in complete solitude, was a horrific concept, one I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

  I called out a ‘hello’ to the Oracle, and she smiled back at me. I knew she wouldn’t come over and talk, but that was fine. She still liked to keep mostly to herself.

  Moving my way through the crowd, I bumped into Zerus, Tejus’s brother.

  “H-hello,” he mumbled. “You look beautiful today, Sofia.”

  I smiled up at him, always charmed by his sweet nature. I’d grown increasingly fond of him since he’d arrived at Nevertide, and though (to my amusement) his attentions toward me irritated Derek to no end, I understood them for what they were; Zerus was an orphan who, despite his age, still searched for a mother-type figure.

  “Thank you, Zerus. Did you enjoy the ceremony?” I asked.

  “I’m very happy for Tejus and your granddaughter.” He nodded. “They make a beautiful couple. I’m glad my brother has found peace at last.”

  I nodded, hoping that Zerus wouldn’t be far behind. Perhaps if he remained with us at The Shade he would find whatever it was he was looking for. I wasn’t sure what his plans were though—he refused to sleep in any of the accommodations we provided, insisting that he would prefer to stay out with the stars. I imagined that Zerus was a nomad at heart—perhaps he wouldn’t stay for long—but I wanted him to know he always had a home here should he need it.

  “I hope you find peace too, Zerus,” I said gently.
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br />   “As do I.” He smiled softly and then was gone, swallowed up by the crowd.

  Suddenly my husband reappeared, smiling down at me with a knowing look in his eyes.

  “I take it you’ll be wanting to dance?” he asked, offering me his hand.

  “Of course,” I said with a wry grin.

  My stomach flipped over as his piercing blue eyes raked over my attire. Another thing that I wished for my granddaughter that I’d wished for my own daughter too—though would never have said so—was a husband who, even after thirty or so years, still sent molten desire running through their veins. Just like mine did.

  “What are you thinking?” Derek asked me, arching a daring brow as I fell silent.

  “Nothing,” I replied sweetly. “Absolutely nothing… Shall we dance?”

  Tejus

  Lights hung in the sky, seemingly suspended in thin air. They cast a hazy glow over the guests in the inky blue twilight, and lit up the dewy skin of my wife’s cheekbones and made her brown eyes golden.

  “You put the stars to shame, Hazel,” I breathed in her ear. She looked indescribably beautiful, and all day I had been unable to tear my eyes away from her, still unable to comprehend that she was mine. My wife. That I would get to wake up next to her every day for the rest of my life.

  “You are more romantic than I ever gave you credit for,” she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. She moved her hand to my shoulder, drawing her body closer. We were dancing—the first dance, shared with Ruby and Ash.

  “Don’t get closer,” I murmured.

  Her cheeks flushed, and the smile turned into a self-conscious laugh.

  “Sorry,” she whispered.

  “You will be. Later.”

  “I’m taking my romantic comment back,” she replied archly.

  “It’s not romantic to want to make love to my wife?”

  She paused, smiling quickly at Vivienne, who was standing nearby as we turned.

  “When you put it like that…” she whispered.

  I laughed, moving her closer to me anyway because I couldn’t bear not to. The music picked up, and other couples began to join us on the dance floor. I’d never been around so many happy, relaxed people—not just today, but during the two weeks that we’d been residing in The Shade. It had taken some getting used to. Ash teased me about sleeping with a dagger under the mattress, but some habits were hard to break. But it was starting to feel like I could be truly content—not just when I was around Hazel, but in all manner of ways. It was a life that I had never envisioned, a future that I hadn’t mapped out. I thought about my mother; perhaps she had been able to foresee how different my life could be without the chains of Hellswan around my neck, how love might alter me. I knew Varga had hoped for this – for me, and possibly for himself too. What neither of them could have predicted was me finding the missing piece of my soul in another—or just how profound that love could be.

  “You’ve gone somewhere. Come back to me.” Hazel jolted me back to the present with a teasing smile.

  “I was thinking about my mother, and Varga. They would have liked this. I think it’s what they wanted for me all along.”

  Hazel nodded. “I don’t know about your mother, but yes, I think it’s what Varga would have wanted for you. Zerus is happy for you too, you know.”

  I grimaced. Hazel had done her best to build the bond between my brother and me, but it was difficult. We were both so unused to one another, strangers almost, in a way. Our father had spent so long preparing all his sons for our ultimate competition, that we no longer seemed to have any common ground, or a way to make that different. But perhaps time would change that—and a very persuasive wife.

  “I know he is.” I sighed. “I hope he stays here for a while. It would give us a chance, at least.”

  “You should tell him.”

  “Perhaps I will,” I replied, silencing her with a kiss. Those soft lips melted into mine, her body becoming pliant and willing. I let out a throaty chuckle—I was pushing my luck. Caleb and I were slowly making inroads with one another, but mauling his daughter on the dance-floor at our wedding might have been pushing the vampire too far.

  To distract my willing wife, I spun her around and found us dancing next to Julian and Jenney—their inexperienced steps and Julian’s slightly-too-large suit rendered them endearing. I was glad that Jenney had returned to The Shade with Ash, and would be returning to Nevertide with new skills, perhaps replacing Abelle’s version of healing with a more honest practice.

  “Excuse me,” a soft voice came from behind me. I stopped dancing, and, to my surprise, turned to see the Oracle. She was looking at us both expectantly – in her strange way of looking at something, and past something at the same time.

  “I haven’t given you your gift yet,” she continued before either of us could say a word. “It is a mixed gift, but a gift nevertheless.”

  “Honestly, you don’t need—”

  The Oracle cut Hazel off. “But you see, I do. It is imperative that I do.” She placed both her hands over Hazel’s flat stomach—it was a brief touch, lasting no more than a split second, but it enraged me.

  “What are you doing?” I snapped at her.

  “As I said. A wedding gift. Your tribe is strong and powerful. As your child will be.”

  Before we could react, she turned away, her white hair glowing brilliantly under the lights for a few moments before she vanished into the crowd.

  “Don’t worry,” Hazel said, though she looked quite unnerved herself as she touched her stomach. “I-I’m sure it’s nothing. I think she means well.”

  “I am worried.”

  “I think she’s just a bit odd. That was probably her way of congratulating us… maybe blessing our future children?” Hazel wet her lips and then shrugged, apparently dismissing the matter.

  Hm. Perhaps I was overreacting. There were lots of things I didn’t understand about the supernatural world—especially when it came to witches and jinn. Even in the short time I’d been in The Shade, their abilities had frequently astounded me and I was starting to realize how little I knew about the dimensions and the creatures they were home to.

  “All right,” I muttered, glancing around to see if the Oracle would reappear. I saw nothing, and turned my full attention back to my wife.

  “Tejus.” She leaned up, whispering in my ear. “When do you think it’s okay for us to leave?”

  I laughed. “You’re the bride, it’s anytime you wish.”

  “Soon, please.”

  “Now soon?” I asked.

  “Now soon,” she confirmed with a grin.

  “Let’s say our goodbyes.”

  We hastily made our way around the guests, thanking them for coming, and accepting their heartfelt congratulations. I stood back as Hazel embraced one of her friends, and caught sight of the Oracle again…

  This time, she was standing next to both Grace Conway and Victoria Blackhall, placing her hands intermittently on both their stomachs. I was about to march over and demand to know what she was doing, but before I could move she had fled once again. Grace and Victoria gave one another puzzled glances and then shrugged, like Hazel had done. Clearly they didn’t think it was a big deal either.

  I was about to re-join my wife, when Rose appeared at my side.

  “Tejus,” she said, her green eyes warm and welcoming. “I’m thrilled that you’re joining our family. You’ve made my daughter so happy, and her father and me.”

  “Thank you,” I replied, clearing my throat awkwardly. Without warning, she rose upward on her tiptoes, and embraced me tightly. I felt a lump forming in my throat. There was something about her – perhaps the hair, her perfume or her slender frame, that reminded me of my own mother.

  “I’m glad to be joining your family too,” I muttered, breaking away from the embrace. She smiled broadly up at me.

  “Good,” she replied. ‘You’ll do us all proud.”

  “Are you ready?” Hazel asked, app
earing next to her mother. I smiled in relief. I had experienced enough emotions for one day.

  I glanced back once to where the Oracle disappeared, and then fixed my focus once again on my beautiful wife. Now isn’t the time for wondering about that strange creature.

  “I’m ready,” I said.

  The Oracle was forgotten as we made our way toward Shayla. She would be transporting us to our honeymoon destination—a secret that had been kept from me. Not that I minded in the slightest; as long as Hazel was by my side, I would have gone anywhere.

  Ruby

  I gazed out at the snow-capped mountain in the distance. The sun was starting to set, the sky blazing in a beautiful red hue. We were in the highlands of a remote Tibetan valley. I had known that Ash would have his work cut out for him when we returned to Nevertide, and I had wanted our honeymoon to be as peaceful and relaxing as possible.

  We were staying in a renovated farmhouse that still maintained elements of old-world tradition—like the handcrafted wooden bathtub, and the rich hues of red and copper that made up the charming décor.

  Our farmhouse was adjacent to an old temple that now served as a luxury spa. Corrine and I had made sure that we would be the only guests staying that week—we had the facilities to ourselves, and no one around for miles to disturb us. It was heaven.

  “Ash?” I called, stepping out onto the terrace.

  He turned to face me, relaxing in a wicker chair that looked out over the valley. A pot of mint tea was brewing next to him, and the smell wafted through the air on the fresh breeze.

  “It’s incredible here, Shortie.” He smiled, opening his arms for me to join him. I came and sat on his lap, leaning against his chest as I took in the magnificent views.

  “It really is.” I sighed with contentment.

  We sat in silence for a while. We had arrived in the early afternoon, due to the time difference, and now I felt drowsy—completely overwhelmed by the events of the last twelve hours. My mind drifted back to our wedding ceremony. Ash’s eyes had fixed on mine as he had gently taken my hand, the breeze swaying the tendrils of his hair. My family, friends, the sparkling water, the beautiful redwoods and Ibrahim had ceased to exist. He had spoken his vows in a low voice – unwavering and more sure than I’d ever heard him. “You saved me from death and darkness. From losing myself and everything that I am. You have always brought me back into the light – have given me reason to keep going when it seems like everything is lost. I love you, Ruby. And I will always love you, till the end of time.”