by Jeanne Allen
Our kiss lingers, but eventually Jackson pulls away. Still high on endorphins and lust, I reluctantly release him. Panting, I catch my breath with my eyes closed, too afraid of what I might find.
Long, elegant fingers brush the wayward strands of my hair down my back. Soft lips caress my temple. The bed dips as my prince leaves.
Still, I can’t bring myself to open my eyes. Say something, I silently plead.
I recognize the sound of my door opening.
“Princess Nadira has some questions to answer.” Jackson’s voice breaks as he leaves.
My eyes open, and I grin.
It’s a start.
Epilogue
During the next few months, the guys reach out to every Phósopoi they can. Using the online database compiled by the monarchs, they search for anyone with a Gift resembling Sebastian’s sleep stasis and ask them to come try and Counteract.
Several arrive, but they aren’t the right ones.
Apparently, Counteracting is harder than it sounds—at least that’s what Jackson tells me.
Jackson and I are making progress. He distrusts Nadira now, and to my delight, he banned her from speaking to or about me. But accusing a Royal of using her Gift on another Royal is too serious to do without proof, so he and I avoid the subject—for now.
The Taylors move into our house, hovering around Sebastian and terrorizing the staff. His father is a quiet, studious man. He has to be to live with his wife and daughters. The women in the Taylor household are all taller versions of Sarah: loud, strong, and confident. I’m told they descend from the real Amazons of Greek myth.
Despite how intimidating they are, I’ve gown quite fond of Sebastian’s family. Especially Sarah, who still won’t tell me the details of what happened between her and Lyle.
Two months after we found Sebastian in the garden, my remaining Kladí tell me I should attend the Phósopoi University for the Spring Semester.
Three months after, we find the right Kladí to Counteract, a woman from Region Nine who only speaks the local dialect of her people in Kenya. But when she lays her hands on our youngest, she nods.
Thirty minutes later, the Kenyan’s bond-mantes escort her out, and my angel takes his first breath.
Three minutes pass, and he still won’t open his eyes. Dr. Clark comes and says Sebastian’s in a natural coma now.
I need to wait.
“He’ll wake when he’s ready. His body needs to heal,” Dr. Clark says kindly.
I try not to attack him. Instead, I wait and hold Sebastian’s slender, warm hand. “Come back to me.”
Glossary of Terms
Phósopoi- The “mutant” people. Ancient Greek: People of Light
Kladí- The Gifted Phósopoi. Those with “powers.” Must be Bonded to the Agora or to a Royal Agora as a Knight if they are Agora-less. Ancient Greek: Branch
Agora- The Phósopoi with the power of Will and the power to Bond their Kladí and help regulate their power. Ancient Greek: The Center
Omás- Term for an Agora and his or her Kladí. Can be from two (with one Kladí) to Seven (With six Kladí) but usually Omás consists of three to four Phósopoi (two to three Kladí). Ancient Greek: The Group
Royal- The Royal Phósopoi are those born in the Royal bloodlines. Not all Royal Phósopoi are in line for the monarchy. Royal Agora’s have the power to Bind Knights to themselves or to their region or monarch.
Phóspolis- The hidden city of the Phósopoi, located near Toronto in Lake Ontario, Canada. Ancient Greek: City of Light
Kenós- Kladí or Agora who have been drained of power or cut off from their Bond. Need the flesh of the Agora to survive and gain power. Ancient Greek: Empty One
Region- The are in which a Phósopoi lives. Modern borders mean little to the Phósopoi. They are born into a region and cannot move unless Bonded to an Agora in another region or given travel permits. There are 13 regions, with Phóspolis being Region 13.
Monarch- The ruler of a region, referred to as king or queen. Hereditary role. Always an Agora. Always a Royal. The monarch’s Kladí are referred to with the title Consort.
High Monarch- Referred to as High King or High Queen. The ruler of Region 13 is elected by the Council and is not hereditary. They preside over the Summit and as mediator between regions.
The Council- Made up of 12 region monarchs and one High Monarch
The Summit- Happens every four years. It is when the Council convenes to discuss matters, socialize and enjoy the Games
The Games- Happens every four years at the Summit. They are like the Olympic games of the Kladí. The winner is given near-Royal status for four years and travel permits.
Aporthétos- The winner of the Games. Ancient Greek: The Undefeated
Agèma- A warrior-line of Kladí. Given prestige and more freedom than other Kladí and greatly sought after as Knights. Ancient Greek: Leading Unit
Knights- The Agora-less Kladí that serve a Royal, Noble, or region and is Bonded to a Royal Agora. Some are Warrior-division Knights but others serve as domestic workers or in other fields.
Elite- The Warrior-division Knights of Region 13. Given autonomy and act as enforcers of Phósopoi laws.
Regions, Monarch, and Colors
I.Queen Victoria/West Europe, U.K/Green and Gold
II.Queen Jacqueline/Canada-Phóspolis/Powder-Blue and White
III.King Javier/South America, Mexico, Central America/Bronze and Crème
IV.King Kavri/Oceana, Artics/White and Silver
V.King Richard/United States, Puerto Rico, North Mariana Islands/Purple and Gold
VI.Queen Sun-Ja/Central Asia, East Asia/Red and Gold
VII.King Daljeet/South Asia, India/Orange and Yellow
VIII.King Yusuf/Middle East/Yellow and White
IX.Queen Ebele/African Continent/White and Green
X.Queen Zorya/Easter Europe, Russia/Crème and black
XI.King Lars/Norwegian Peninsula, The Netherlands, Denmark/Navy and Brown
XII.Queen Njay/Pacific Islands, Caribbean/Red and Blue
XIII.High King Ahmad/Phóspoli, High Seat of the Council/Black
About the Author
Jeanne Allen is a high school teacher by day and cat-mom by night to a spoiled Chinchilla Persian named Princess Yue.
She moved to South Korea in 2014 and hasn't left because of her maybe possibly unhealthy addiction to dakgalbi. She enjoys reading (of course), writing, and spending time with her friends, who are more like family. She is currently working on book two in the Agora series and is excited for where the story is going.
Also by Jeanne Allen
The Agora Series
Six Branches
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