Page 76 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

“Peter proposed to me!” Kiki burst. “And I said yes!”

We both jumped up to hug one another. I didn’t know how I could feel so happy and sad at the same time, but the feelings somehow coexisted. I loved my sister, and the fact that she could get her happily-ever-after with Peter, Keanu’s closest friend, filled me with more peace.

After we celebrated with one another, it grew late and Alohi told me I really needed to return to the palace.

“Get some rest,” Kiki said, not caring if her clothes got wet from embracing me. As I walked through the rain with Alohi, I couldn’t help but look back at Peter telling Kiki goodnight. Golden light came from the windows, casting a cozy glow on the rain outside. And, in the light of the door, stood Peter and Kiki, holding one another’s hands and looking into each other’s eyes.

I smiled to myself. Kāne had been so, so good to us.

When the bedroom door closed behind me, I sank to the floor and sighed.

We are at peace. And, I vowed to live in a way that I could be reunited forever with Keanu in the next life. Of course I wanted him with me now, but I was also willing to accept Kāne’s decision for me.

The smell of ginger tea roused me from my thoughts. But the tray was not by the bedside, in its usual place. I wiped my eyes and looked around. The tray sat on a stand by the balcony. Why did the servants put it there?

I swallowed hard and began walking towards the tray, ready to place it on Keanu’s nightstand, when I froze.

Someone was standing on the balcony.

I blinked.

I’m dreaming. The thunder and lightning rolled on outside, drowning out all the noise. But it seemed as if I could hear nothing anyways. My ears rang from the delight growing inside of me. Could it be?

I stepped outside, my clothes still sopping wet, my hair plastered to my face. Fresh water dripped down my skin.

A man stood there, wearing a black suit with golden epaulets, his side towards me, his hands clasped behind his back. He overlooked the kingdom, his hair dripping wet. He was still as handsome as ever, but there was something different about him.

He looked… peaceful. Content.

“Keanu?” I took a hesitant step toward him. I hoped if this was a dream that I wouldn’t wake up. There he was, the love of my life. So close and yet… was he real?

He turned towards me and smiled, his golden eyes so warm, I was sure I could fall into them and never find my breath again. In one long stride, he stood in front of me, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me. I threw my arms around his neck, kissing him back.

It was the best kiss, full of longing, desire, all the words we wanted to say but didn’t have the chance to…

“Is it really you?” I asked between kisses. We were both soaked through. The rain pelted on us, the cold wind like ice against our skin. But it didn’t matter. I was warm in Keanu’s embrace.

It seemed as if my king was not in any mood to stop showering me with his kisses, but my head reeled with questions.

“How?” I asked, finally pulling away. He planted a kiss on my cheek and my jaw.

“You lit the eternal flame, a selfless plea at the place that had once been defiled and destroyed. And when Kāne asked once more if you would truly give up everything, you completed the final step in making all things right. All because of your love for me…” He pointed upward. “And for him.”

I smiled. “So you’re not going to be a night marcher again?”

“If someone kills me again, I’m really done for,” he laughed, then his expression turned serious. “Oli, I was wrong about so many things. I am so sorry for taking your father’s days. And then for taking yours. I was wrong to pressure you to give them to me, or to even marry you through a bargain… you deserve so much better.”

I looked at him. Really looked at him… this man who had changed so much. Who had recognized his wrongdoings more than once.

“Thank you for that,” I said. I could only imagine his guilt, knowing that everything he said was true. He was guilty of coercing me into marriage, of taking my father’s days, of being selfish.

But he had changed. And I now realized, if it had been any different, I would not be here. I wouldn’t have bargained with Keanu to end my betrothal to Pulu.

Miraculously, everything had worked out.

“Kāne knew what had to happen. He knows what he’s doing,” I said, amazed at how I was starting to sound more like Kiki and her fervent nature in speaking of the god of life.

“When I finally learned what an honor it was to serve Kāne, everything changed,” Keanu said and gently brushed my wet hair from my face, his eyes pouring into mine, like he couldn’t get enough. “And when you asked Kāne to give me one last chance, he granted that, especially after I escorted Kalani home. I realized that we’re all just here doing our best. Kalani deserves compassion too. We’ve been through a lot.”