Storm's Rapture | Storms Series: Book 1 (This is a Co-Write)

Epilogue

AN: This is it, everyone! The epilogue. We've reached the end of Storm's Rapture. But fear not for there is more to come for the Castellans. Check out the author's note at the end for more info. Hope you all enjoy the epilogue!

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It was relatively dark in the cell as night fell over Blackwater. And Circe Castellan sat in her cell with her familiar, Caja, sleeping beside her. Circe's eyes were deep purple as she struggled to get a grip on the darkness within her body. It was all consuming and she knew it. Circe had always struggled with it...ever since she was a child.

"Have you heard?" a guard outside asked.

"Heard what?" another guard replied.

"Lieutenant General Redfield received word from the General today...from Crescent Reef."

"And what did he say?"

"The Prince and Princess were bound!" the guard replied.

"That's great then. You think they'll have a party when they come back?"

"Even if they do, who says you'll be going?" one the guards sneered. He laughed while the other guard sighed heavily.

"You're right, we'll probably get stuck down here again, with the dark heir," he scoffed. "Hey, did you happen to get information about what kind of familiars the royal children were bound to?"

"I heard they were changeling children from the Majesties' own familiars," the other guard stated.

"Doesn't the dark heir have a familiar?"

"Stop calling her that!"

"But that's who she is..."

"Not anymore, not according to our King. So if I were you, I would cut it out," the guard warned.

Circe's eyes began to flicker between purple and warm hazel as memories of her brother flashed before her eyes. Memories of them helping their mother in her garden. Memories of waking up in the middle of the night to run around the palace and play tag in the ballroom. Memories of being on the balcony as Cyris was named Crown Prince. Memories of placing a paper crown on his head.

Hearing about the Prince and Princess' bonding ceremony made Circe emotional and her eyes welled up with tears as she recalled her own bonding ceremony. Sharing that experience with Cyris had been everything to her.

Circe gasped as her memories were cut short. The purple flickered in her eyes as the dark magic tried to regain control.

What are you saying?

A voice told her. A voice that always crept into her head when she would try to regain control over herself.

Those children are in your way, they have to die...

"Leave me alone... I don't want to hurt anyone anymore," Circe muttered.

Those twins will have to die, you know that. And you know who has to do it, who has to end their lives... Hm?

"Shut up!" Circe pleaded softly.

Had she really lost it...? Was she crazy?

You will do this. You will do as I say.

The dark magic seared through Circe's veins. And she cried out in pain. Her body shook as she struggled to gain control.

"They're my family...they are Cyris' children...I won't harm them. Not when hearing about them reminds me of what I wish I had with my brother," Circe growled under her breath.

Family?! They stole your crown! They stole everything from you! the voice hissed.

"They are two innocent children...two children that I care about!"

The voice cackled. Pain shot through Circe's body. It was excruciating. But Circe was used to this. She'd spent years enduring the pain of the darkness. Enduring the pain trying to take over. She'd spent so much time giving in, but this time was different. This time she wanted to fight back. She was fighting for her right to be with her brother...her family.

Care? Why should you care? They hate you! Everyone hates you!

"If Cyris and Rosanna hated me, they wouldn't have come to see me...they're my family! I want my family..."

I am your family! ME! the voice roared and more pain shot through Circe's veins as the dark magic tried to force her into submission.

"You're a monster... My family is out there. My brother is out there and I want him back... I want my life back!"

Foolish girl! You can't keep me out forever!

The darkness receded and Circe gasped, her forehead covered with sweat. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes were warm hazel. Fighting the darkness had taken its toll on her body as it always had. Circe glanced down at her wrist and noticed the black veins there. It was like there was poison in her body. The darkness was lingering within her and she knew it. These dark veins were a sign of that. Circe hated them. She hated what they meant.

"Caja?" Circe called out as her eyes glistened with tears.

Caja stirred. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"I...I'm trying..." Circe managed to say as tears streamed down her cheeks. "The...the darkness..."

Caja perked up, "You found a way...?"

"Maybe...it's not...a sure thing yet."

"Don't give up Circe...you can do this," Caja told her. She was very hopeful for her Princess. She had to be.

Caja was forced to watch for years as the darkness tore Circe to pieces. She was forced to follow someone who she knew wasn't evil, and yet caused a lot of damage. Caja herself made terrible choices, in the name of honour for Circe... But at what cost? How many lives were stolen because Caja was determined to remain loyal to the Castellan heir?

"I won't give in again, Caja... I want my family back... I want my brother back...and I'll fight this to get there. No matter what it takes," Circe vowed.

Caja nodded and smiled. "And I will be with you every step of the way," Caja stated. She turned to Circe, then grabbed both of her hands and held them in her own.

"Thank you..." Circe replied.

Circe was willing to fight to get her family back. It was going to be difficult. But Circe was ready. She wanted her brother back. She wanted to be able to be with him and spend time with him like they used to. She wanted to see the sun and be free from the curse within her veins. She wanted it all so badly. And she'd keep fighting...she'd fight this darkness as hard as she could to get the life she wanted. And her fight had just begun...

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AN: So this is the end of Storm's Rapture, but as indicated by the epilogue, we're going to delving into Circe's story in the second book: Storm's Absolution. Stay tuned for that! Be sure to drop some comments and vote!