Majesty

Chapter 14: The Remaining and a Goodbye

The cloaked figures have disappeared, leaving only dead and wounded bodies. Family in the different colors are tearful but glad for reassurance as they huddle in groups. Azure treat the injured along the grass. With a start, it occurs I'm still dressed in blue. My mother conjures a leather jacket, which I gladly accept. Drake drapes his arm around my shoulder as I grin.

A tightly packed group of teens suddenly break into sprint when one of them spots us. They all bear cuts and scratches, and some with bandages. "Sarah!"

The one nearest is Shadow. Her glimmering black hair flies behind her, causing Rose to bat at it. "Sorry!"

Natasha and Rose emerged from behind me, slightly bruised but alive. Ro pushes between others and smiled at me. She sported a large burn on her uniform. Her hair is tousled, most likely a cause of the wind. "Are you okay, Ro? What's with that burn?"

She looks down at it, near her shoulder. "I'm perfectly fine. This girl burnt me with a torch but Rose, being handy and skilled with fire, reversed the effects on my skin. But my poor uniform is ruined."

Natasha embraces me. "It's good to see you well!"

Rose does the same. "It really is!"

I notice none of them have asked me about my mom. Shadow finishes braiding her hair and examines me. Her teal eyes stand out on her pale skin. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

I nod, and she leads me a small distance away from the group. Drake casts me a worried look. "What is this business with the Queen? Is she really your mother?"

I explain what she told me, and say I believe it. Shadow claims she believes her too, but her eyes oppose her words. I'm at least glad she mentioned the topic. We walk back to the others in silence.

A broad-shouldered man swaggers toward us proudly, breaking the serenity. His fair hair blows as the sun shines off his polished armor. The boots on his large feet tinkle with bells that sound like chimes tinkling in a delicate wind. His wrinkleless, smooth face is cleanshaven, with eyes as dark as the sea.

Queen Emmeline's eyes widen, and her mouth forms an "O". Who is this man that can surprise my mother? Of course, I know it's Father.

"Sarah! Emmeline! How long it has been since I saw you? Sarah, you darling girl as a baby and my beautiful wife as a young maiden! Of course, until I married you! Anyway, I'm thrilled to see you both!"

"You're father is the god of cheerfulness and rainbows," whispers the Queen. We exchange polite word as I look around me, at all my friends, and smile. Together, we have been through more than we could have ever imagined, or dreamed of. Drake asks to have a word with me alone. Earla[au][av][aw] pretends to be occupied with tying her boot, just as Nin requests a private conversation with Amber. I catch her eye, and we grin.

Drake squeezes my hand as he takes mine, and steers us to a vacant area in the meadow. I face him as a warm breeze settles by, stirring his bleach-white hair. He watches me and absentmindedly picks a dandelion, tucking it behind my left ear. The next thing I'm aware of, we're kissing.

Many people have felt a kiss before, but never the way I just did right then and there. His lips were cordial and reassuring, also strangely salty. I can't imagine why, though. We are with each other in a city where hundred lay dead, good and bad.

I hear giggling and chuckling a little distance over, away. Amber and Nin, most likely, are kissing too. Here we are in a world full of lovebirds, and yet full of corpses. I feel Earla's eyes not prying away, and hear the whispers of my friends. Can't a girl get decent privacy these days?

A story can never end without a good kiss. If I ever die, even though I am a goddess, I darn hope it's in love. Love is what sends boys running after girls and girls running after boys. It's a mystery, and driven by human's instincts. It's beautiful. It's love.