“Because of you, we have peace.”
There were more hugs from Niall—the day was turning into a hugapalooza and Nox waslivingfor it!—and a respectful handshake from Smoak before they set off for their last stop.
“The list of things Ineverthought would happen are longer than a CVS receipt butthatwas not one of them,” Nox admitted as they headed for Adelphi, earning a wide-eyed look from Nelson.
“He’s coming to the ceremony.” That was a big deal. It was assumed that Niall would catch a ride with Shelby and Tighe but Smoak had accepted his invitation and had even congratulated them. “You don’t think he’s up to something, do you?” Nelson asked but Nox laughed at the thought of Niall’s vengeance.
“Smoak isn’t that stupid. He values his peace too much to blow it all up over a ceremony.”
“Very true,” Nelson said.
The rest of the ride to Adelphi was relaxing but Nox was bouncing in his seat as they parked in front of Bippity Boppity Books. They were also there to pick up the last of the supplies for their union celebration, including personalized gift bags for all the guests. Which meant that Howard was completely surprised when Nox presented him with the medallions. The other one was for Heidi but Noxdid notwant to disturb the mother of a teething infant.
“This is exquisite, but you shouldn’t have!” Howard was overcome as Nox linked the ends of the chain and fixed the older man’s collar.
“It was an honor and I’m blessed to have you as a friend and a mentor,” Nox said sincerely.
“I am not worthy of this!” Howard was crying as he traced Nox’s symbol on the medallion.
“Shhh!” Nox covered Howard’s hands with his. “You are the most worthy! You could have lost faith and you could have hated me but you remained a devoted light and every day, I strive to be worthy ofyou.” He kissed Howard’s forehead, thanking him and blessing his gentle, loving soul. Nox sniffed, then leaned back. “Is that a baby I smell?”
Howard lit up like a candle. “Yes! Heidi was here with my grandson! I have new pictures!”
“Gimme!” Nox rubbed his hands together, dying to see new pictures of his “nephew” and ecstatic for Howard.
The baby was only four-months-old and was Howard’s universe. Heidi and her husband had named the baby after Howard and had invited him to be present when the baby arrived. In the next room, albeit, but Howard was the first one to hold his namesake after the mother and the father.
“An actual tater tot!” Nox declared, groaning as he waved Nelson over. “I just wanna eat him.”
Nelson smiled fondly at the picture. “I don’t want to eat him but he is precious.”
The rest of the pictures were just as adorable and made Nox appreciate the simple gift of life and how magickal childbirth was. It wasn’t for him, but Nox marveled at the fact that humans had been blessed with such rare and powerful magick and regretted that it wasn’t always treated with the reverence it deserved.
Howard had revered his role as a father and his love and generosity had touched Heidi and inspired her to be a present and patient mother. Little “Howe” would grow up to be a creative, brave, and compassionate person, thanks to Heidi and Howard’s love and influence.
“I can’t wait for the ceremony!” Howard said as he saw them to the door. “My suit is pressed and ready to go!”
“You’re going to look dashing!” Nox predicted, kissing Howard’s cheek on the way out. He waited for Nelson to say goodbye and kiss the older man’s cheek, offering his arm before they set off for the Continental. “But not quite as dashing as you,” he said quietly, enjoying the way Nelson blushed and shook his head.
“No one will be looking at me, not with you there. You’re always the most beautiful thing in the room.”
“Nelson!” Nox grabbed his hand, urging him to hurry. “We need to be home and nakednow!”
Part Three
Coudersport, Pennsylvania. One week later…
All of their friends and family had made the trip and were mingling by the lake, waiting for the sun to set. After two full years, they had finally cleared away all the dark magick and repaired the physical damage Dùbhghlas had done to the cabin and the glade. In fact, Merlin was putting his final touches on the warding the night before their guests had arrived.
Everything looked just as Nox remembered—with the addition of all the tents and decorations for the celebration—and they were about to sanctify the ground and the lake again with new magick. The party that would follow the ceremony would be epic and would please their ancestors. There was enough whiskey and wine to blind a Roman legion.
The only thing missing was Nox’s parents but they were watching over him as he joined Nelson on the cabin’s front deck. Torches were scattered around the clearing and lit the way toan altar, where Merlin waited in a flowing jumpsuit innearlytransparent layers of glittering black silk.
Speaking of Romans, Tony was next to Merlin at the cauldron and a goofy, stoned smile curved his lips. The rest of the party was gathered around the altar, holding candles.Everyonewas there, including Ronan, Ingrid and the girls, and Niall’s aunt was there with her wife. Smoak had even kept his word and seemed sincerely happy for them. All that love was focused on Nox and Nelson, love that they had helped nurture and protect.
“Ready?” Nelson asked, offering Nox his arm when Merlin started to chant and dance around the cauldron with a feather and a smoking smudge stick.
“Just one more minute,” Nox gazed at Nelson, burning the picture into his psyche.
