Julia watched in horror as her own spell hit Falcon. She had been only vaguely aware of what was happening, seeing it all through a thick red haze; her head cleared just as the lightning bolt left her hand. Falcon flew forward onto the ground and didn’t move again.
“No!” she screamed as she ran and fell to her knees beside him. “Falcon?” She pushed him over onto his back and touched his face, but she had no mana left―the lightning had used up the last of it. “Falcon? Oh god, what have I done?”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Jade said, running out from behind a statue and hurrying to her side. “You didn’t do it, that woman used some kind of magic on you.”
“No,” Julia cried. “Please, no…”
Suddenly, Cael was there, and she looked up at him frantically. He knelt down and felt Falcon’s throat, then laid one hand on his forehead and the other on his stomach. She watched, holding her breath, tears streaming down her face. Please, please, she prayed fervently.
Cael closed his eyes, concentrating. It was a several minutes before he finally pulled his hands away and sat back on his heels.
“Falcon?” Julia said, looking down at him.
“He will be okay,” Cael told her as he scanned the room.
She lifted Falcon until he was lying halfway in her lap. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry,” she mumbled, holding him close.
Cael put his hand on her shoulder. “Julia, you did nothing wrong.”
She took a steadying breath. “Are you okay?” she asked, glancing at the drying blood on his bare chest and stomach.
He smiled reassuringly. “Just fine.” He touched her cheek gently before getting back to his feet. “Tikki, check out there,” he ordered, pointing through the doorway.
She nodded and left with Badger.
Cael’s gaze swept over the balcony and then over the rest of the room, but there was nothing. The battle was over and, miraculously, they had won.
Lotus was crying and smiling as she ran to Cael. He caught her and picked her up, holding her and kissing her passionately, his arms as tight around her as possible, his hands grabbing her shirt.
“Tikki work while elf suck face?” Tikki demanded as she came back into the room.
Cael released Lotus’ lips, but not her body, and looked over at the gnome with a smirk.
Tikki rolled her eyes. “All clear. Stupid people run.” Then she grinned. “Least people still living. Tikki kick much ass!”
“Thank you,” Julia told her earnestly. “And you too, Jade. If it wasn't for you guys…” She couldn’t finish.
Jade smiled up at her. “Just glad I could finally help.”
“Guess familiars have more use than just being annoying, huh?” she joked, laughing a little through her tears.
Jade smiled and nodded.
“Yes, thank you,” Cael added for him and Lotus.
Tikki nodded proudly, and Badger smiled widely.
“So… what happened?” Julia asked. “Is Kieran dead?”
“Yes,” Lotus answered. “It was Amiya. She pulled her sister into the lava with her.”
“She scarified herself to save everyone,” Cael added.
“I can’t believe it,” Julia said. “Do you think that’s why her god wanted her to come?”
Lotus shook her head. “Guess we’ll never know.”
Julia sighed. “Cael… I’m so sorry for what you had to go through. You were so strong, and…” Her words trailed off as she started crying again.
He smiled. “We all did well.”
Lotus buried her face in his neck; she seemed unable to stop crying herself. Julia knew that no matter how bad it had been for her, watching Cael being tortured had been much harder on Lotus.
Falcon stirred suddenly, and Julia gasped. “Falcon! Thank god. I’m so sorry.”
“It wasn’t you,” he told her. “I’m sorry I hit you.”
“A throbbing cheek is nothing compared to what I did.”
“Shh. You were great,” he said then, with great effort, sat up.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She held him and savored the feeling of his lips on hers and his arms around her. It was finally over, and they were still alive. When he pulled back, he was smiling, his eyes filled with tenderness and love. It was her favorite sight in the world.
Falcon looked around at everyone. “So, we won, huh?”
Cael nodded.
“Look,” Lotus said, pointing.
Behind them was a shimmering white rectangle near the altar. It was like a sheet hanging in the air, its edges faded and its body rippling like the surface of water in a breeze. Falcon’s office in his house was just barely visible through it.
“What is it?” Lotus asked.
“It’s the way back,” Falcon answered quietly.
“Earth,” Julia whispered, her voice filled with longing.
He looked at her. “We can go home.”
“You would come too?”
“And me!” Jade put in.
“Obviously,” she answered telepathically.
Falcon nodded. “Of course. Earth, Kelstone… it doesn’t matter, as long as I’m with you. Jules, you’re my world―wherever you are is home for me.”
She took a deep breath and smiled. “Lotus, can you get me some paper and a pen, please?”
“Of course,” she said, and Cael reluctantly let her go.
Falcon stared at Julia, confused, as Lotus returned with her bag and handed the items over. Julia laid the paper on the floor and started writing.
Dear friends and family,
Please know that we are both safe and happy where we are.
However, we won’t be able to see you again. We love you all.
Goodbye,
Julia Clark
Falcon grinned slowly. “We’re staying?”
She nodded. “Yes. You belong here.”
“What about you?”
“I belong with you. Besides,” she said, glancing up at the others, “My family is here. Kelstone is my home too.”
“Jules,” he breathed, caressing her face and blinking away tears of his own. “Thank you.” He pulled her to him and kissed her fervently. When he let her go, he took the pen, and added his own signature to the bottom:
Fal Greg Bennet
They stood and walked to the portal. “Are you sure?” Falcon asked.
“Completely,” she answered.
He folded the note and gave her one last look before throwing it to Earth. The portal grew brighter for a moment and then pulled in on itself until it was gone. They turned back to their friends, who were smiling happily as they came closer and begun to hug them one by one.
Julia bent down to hug Tikki, but she growled, and Julia dropped her hands. Instead, Tikki patted her cheek. Julia chuckled and patted her back.
Badger, on the other hand, was happy to hug everyone―twice, especially the kitty.
“Julia!” Jade whined, but Julia just laughed.
“I am glad you decided to stay,” Cael said as he hugged her.
She beamed up at him. “Thank you.”
Lotus hugged her next. “I’m so thrilled you didn’t go. I would have missed you so much!”
Julia kissed her cheek and smiled at her. “Sisters, right?”
“Sisters.” She smiled back, then let go and returned to Cael’s arms.
Falcon’s arms circled Julia’s waist, pulling her back against him and holding her close. “Yes, let’s go home,” he said softly.
“And where exactly is that?” Julia asked.
“No idea,” he told her. “But somewhere better than a shack.”
She turned in his arms and faced him. “Thank you!” she said with fervent relief.
He chuckled, but said seriously, “Thank you for staying.”
She nodded, then suddenly smiled. “How about Brunya City?”
He smiled back. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
