Winds to Light up the World

Epilogue

In the first wintry day, three weeks later, Cove barged into Tanora's room. Shayla was lounging on the bed indulging in the fattest book Cove had seen. More surprising was the Tanora was also reading a book, which was, admittedly, more and more common these days. She said it let her escape reality and that books always had a happy ending. Cove didn't have so much time to read, he was a lord after all. The title partially scared, partially infuriated him but mostly it was a constant reminder of what he had lost.

A loving father, although the loving part was debatable. Had his father always wanted to take over the world? Were any of his actions, any of his words real? Did he really love Cove or was it just an act? Had his father ever been the man Cove thought he was, the man he aspired to be?

Some nights Cove lay awake trying to chase the answers to those questions and more. Some nights he cried himself to sleep, unable to cope with the pressure, the loss and the events that had brought him into this situation. And some nights he slept as peacefully as a newborn child. Those nights were when Tanora fell asleep next to him, curled up against him.

"Come on guys, I wanna show you something!" he said from the doorway.

Both girls looked up with confusion but followed him nonetheless.

"Where are we going, Cove?" Tanora asked, taking his hand.

"Surprise!"

Shayla gasped when she understood where they were going, "Are we allowed to do that?"

How she knew was a mystery to Cove but nowadays she spent most of her time studying and reading so it wouldn't surprise him if she turned into a walking library. "Duh, I asked for permission."

"Where are we going?" Tanora whined, tugging at his hand.

"You'll see!" Cove said teasingly before planting a kiss on her pouting lips.

Cove grabbed Shayla's hand too and pulled them along laughing, up stairs and down halls, earing confused yet amused looks from other people in the halls. He led them to the very top of the Crescent Palace. It was an open garden on the roof of the palace, empty now with winter on its way. Usually, it was reserved only for the royal family's purpose, but Cove had convinced the prince to let him show his friends. But the view was nevertheless beautiful. On good days you could see all across the city the grassy plains they had come across months before.

"This is amazing!"

"Beautiful!" came the voices of the girls.

The two dispersed to the different sides admiring the view from different directions. Cove just watched them happily as they marveled.

Shayla was bustling around but Tanora had stopped at the northern railing gazing as if she could see all the way home.

Cove neared her and saw little shivers move up and down her body. He enveloped her in a hug from behind trying to chase the cold and sadness from her body.

Without letting go of her or braking contact he turned her around and gazed into those beautiful blue grey eyes. Tanora snaked her arm around his waist pulling him closer.

"Thank you," she said.

"For what?"

"This, everything, for being there when I needed it most."

"Anytime," he whispered back, their faces only inches apart.

When he leaned down to kiss her, savoring the feel of her soft lips against his, Cove couldn't have been happier. They pulled apart, pressing their foreheads together, just standing there, enjoying the other's company.

And Cove, standing with his future in front of him, thought that if this was the good in life, he would endure the last year again and again just so he could arrive back here, with his other half in his arms.

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Yayy, we're finally done!!!! This took me so much work and time but I'm so glad I finished it and sometimes I can't really believe it. This just feals amazing! Thank you to all of you who have gotten this far. You are amazing! Thank you for all the comments and votes, they always make my day.

Thank you also to my friend, who supported me throughout this whole process and always wanted to know more, and to my sister, who wouldn't stop badgering me about my story!

Have a wonderful day!