“Ironic how our new home is in the top witch-fearing town in Salvius.”
“It’s not as bad with Damian gone and with our whispers changing a few hearts here and there.”
“You’re right. I miss our old house though.”
“Elijah said everything’s gone…” He looked down at his hands. “We still have the memories, Victoria. Up here.” He pointed at his temple, and I gave him a watery smile. “It’s not all perfect, but we’re together as a family, and we’re building a home. I’m proud of us.”
“You know, Cas, for the first time ever, I think you might be making sense.”
He rolled his eyes, nudging my arm. “We should go. We promised Alex and Corbin dinner for their graduation.”
“She wants you to cook because gods know I can’t.”
He nodded. “I’ll cook, you clean.”
Alex skipped up beside me and rested her head against my shoulder. We’d grown closer since I decided to say.
I looked outside and smiled as the sky darkened. Ember’s death had brought us all closer together. She’d have been happy with that. There wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t think about her, and I didn’t want the day to come when I wouldn’t. Grief never went away, not really. It just felt less and less suffocating with each passing week. I learned to shape my life around it, to do things that would make her proud, and mostly, I learned to be kind to myself. I found happiness in the little things, and I let myself feel sad when I needed to. I’d learned so much, through every person in my life: Alex, Cas, Ember, Elijah, Corbin, and my mother. They had each taught me something important, but in the end, it was my choices that had changed me the most. I had decided not to kill him. I’d heard reports that he was treated well, but they’d never let him out after the testimonies, especially considering the high priest had confirmed his madness. He wasn’t dead, but he didn’t need to be. I’d gotten him out of our lives, laid the path for him to show his true colors. His family and the town were safer for it.
“Let’s go home,” I said to Alex, patting her head. “I’m proud of you for finishing at the academy. You have so many talents. I can’t wait to see what you do.”
She flicked both eyebrows upward, smirking. I followed her out, and Elijah caught my waist. “I hope you’re not leaving without me.”
I planted a kiss on his lips. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Alex pretended to gag, and I laughed. I looked around as Cas closed. Corbin joined Elijah’s side, and I smiled. We walked outside and I looked up at the night sky, imagining Ember was with us, and a star winked against the deep blue.
