The Chronicles of Nir

Epilogue - Homecoming

Ben stood on the top deck of the ship in the open air. The great oblong balloon loomed overhead, but nothing obscured his view of the ground beneath. Unlike a voyage upon the waves, the movement of the airship was undetectable, and he was not afraid of heights, so he suffered no ill effects from the journey.

Evening descended. The others had retired after an early supper, but Ben wasn't ready to go inside. His thoughts remained unsettled, like a flock of starlings searching for a place to rest. He leaned on the balcony and gazed down at the sea. The green hills and snow-capped peaks had given way to coastal plains and open water, and nothing but a blue expanse stretched below, mirroring the sky.

Boards creaked beneath a familiar set of footsteps, and Ben turned.

Tallon approached, wearing a brown travel cloak and carrying a spare over his arm. Wordlessly, he stopped in front of Ben and fastened the extra covering around his neck, adjusting it over the shoulders. Then he gave Ben a chaste kiss before snaking an arm around his waist and facing the open horizon.

Together, they watched a phalanx of seabirds keeping pace with the ship until the sun gradually dipped behind the purple and orange clouds.

Tallon held Ben close, keeping his silence as dusk gave way to a darkening sky.

At last, Ben drew a breath and turned in Tallon's arms, so they stood face to face. Tallon's amethyst eyes caught the glint of the first stars and his silver hair gleamed in the light of the rising moon. Ben reached up and traced one of Tallon's dark brows with his finger tip, noting the difference from the elf's otherwise fair features, a contrast which betrayed human ancestry. He memorized the little lines on the sides of Tallon's mouth, the sharp angle of his jaw, and the small cleft in his chin. Trailing his hand lower, Ben touched the tell-tale threads of ink peeking from beneath the other man's collar, hinting at the tattoo hidden beneath.

"So much has changed," he whispered. "I don't even know what I am anymore. All I know is I love you. That hasn't changed one bit."

Indeed, much had changed in a very short span of time; Tallon barely knew who he was anymore himself. Instead of six months, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

Tallon looked into Ben's brilliant emerald eyes and held their gaze as he moved closer, resting his hands on Ben's hips.

"I love you too," he returned quietly. "To me, you'll always be Ben—my Ben—regardless of whether you're human, fae, or anything in between."

Then, he hugged Ben tight, unable to let go, lest he disappear again.

"We can build a life together," he said, drawing away at last. "Figure out our compatibility; grow as a couple. We could make a home in Sagehand or anywhere else. I just want to be with you."

Ben blinked as Tallon's words slowly percolated through his brain. He'd been so focused on survival—from one minute to the next—for so long, that the image of a more distant future eluded him.

Then it came, like a painter's brush filling a canvas with color and shape: a home, a place of his own, at Tallon's side.

Just as quickly, the fantasy dissolved. He had no doubt in his heart that Tallon meant every word, but at the end of the day, he was still the heir to one of the largest independent states in Ardenia, and Ben was still a pickpocket from Ballsdeep.

Leaning into Tallon's warmth, he said, "Let's take it one step at a time. For now, why don't you take me to bed?"

Too soon! You put that all on him too soon, you moron.

Tallon's breath hitched. Keeping his features pleasant, he answered, "Of course. If you'd like, I can have dinner sent up. Whatever you want."

Then he took Ben's hand and led him off the deck, keeping his breathing light to cover his distress.