Penance ↠ Volturi Kings {2} ✓

Epilogue

"I owe you an apology," Maxim said in way of greeting one day, close to eight months after the wedding.

I raised my eyebrows. "How so?"

"Your wedding present," he said.

"Ah, yes. You did only give a card that said 'IOU, from Maxim' on it," I recalled, grinning. "You really don't have to worry about it."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, because your gift is currently out in the garden. It took me quite a long time to track him down, so I was hoping you'd be a little more appreciative."

"Him?" I repeated, curious.

Maxim beckoned for me to follow. "I'll explain once we arrive. The kings are already waiting in the garden."

We walked down to the garden in silence, though I was brimming with questions. When we arrived, my mates and Demetri were conversing with a dark-skinned vampire I had never met.

"Deacon," Maxim called, lifting a hand in greeting.

Deacon grinned and did the same. "Maxim! This is Queen Rowan, I assume?"

"Yes," Maxim said, the two of us halting as we reached the group. "Rowan, this is Deacon, my former protégé and longtime friend."

"You trained him like you did me," I remembered, stepping forward to shake Deacon's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well," Deacon said, "though from what I understand this isn't a social visit."

"Deacon has a very particular, very rare gift. He also owes me a favor," Maxim said. "But I think I'll allow him to explain."

"Yes," Deacon said with a smile. "Under certain conditions and with very specific constraints, my gift, among other things, allows me to bring those that are dead back to life."

"Back to- you can bring back Felix?" I asked. It felt too good to be true.

"Yes. Unfortunately, however, my gift is a little more complex than just bringing someone back. I need to have their remains - burned or no - which you have. However, the thing about bringing back a soul is, unless there is something to tether that soul, it won't stick around. Part of what Maxim did is help me understand how to tether one person's soul to another. Demetri, as I understand, is willing to act as the one keeping Felix tethered here, correct?"

Demetri nodded, face resolute. "Yes."

"You understand, then, that if he dies, so do you, and vice versa?" Deacon asked. "You're willing to assume that risk alongside the pain that comes with tethering your soul to his?"

"Felix was my brother," Demetri said, "and it's my fault he's dead. I'll take any risk to have him back here."

"Then we can move forward," Deacon said. "I'll need the urn containing Felix's remains. It would also be beneficial for someone to restrain Demetri so he does not harm himself or anyone else."

"I can do that," Maxim said.

I moved towards Marcus' side as Aro gave Felix's urn to Deacon. "I take it you were in on this?"

"Maxim presented us his idea several weeks before the wedding and we approved it. However, we kept it quiet until we knew for certain that Deacon would be able to revive Felix."

"Thank you," I mumbled, too overcome by emotion for words.

"A warning that Felix may have some minor memory loss. It's not at all uncommon and you shouldn't worry if it does happen," Deacon said. He looked to Demetri. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Demetri said. Deacon nodded, and as Demetri began screaming, Deacon's eyes clouded black.

Felix's ashes began to rise and form human shape, slowly at first, then all at once. It was like watching something burn in rewind as flesh and bone reformed. The whole process was rather short and it was perhaps only a minute later until Demetri's screams stopped and he stood back to his feet.

"Wake up!" Deacon said sharply, and Felix's eyes sprung open.

"Felix?" Demetri asked, carefully watching his soul brother.

"Why am I in the garden? And why am I naked?" Felix asked. "Rowan, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in Romania?"

Demetri tossed Felix the extra cloak he had brought with him, which Felix quickly drew around himself. He stared at Felix in wonderment. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"We were about to leave to track down the Romanian's gift sensor," Felix said.

"You died," I said, barely restraining myself from flinging my arms around his torso. "Deacon brought you back."

Felix blinked. "I died? I don't remember that. Though thank you for bringing me back. This place is nothing without me."

I laughed. "Oh, you have no idea."

"Welcome back, Felix," Aro said with a genuine smile. "Your presence has been much missed."

"Thank you, Master Aro. Maybe we can continue this conversation once I'm wearing some pants," Felix suggested. "Then one of you can tell me how I died. Was it badass? I bet it was badass."

We all laughed then, happy and unreserved, and for the very first time since the war, things felt back to normal. Felix was back. My family was safe.

All was well.

⊱ ────── {.⋅ 𝕍 ⋅.} ────── ⊰

Believe it or not, I've had this planned for a long time now. Almost since before I "killed off" Felix. However, I couldn't just let you guys know he was coming back, as that would take the fun out of it (for me, anyway). Discord folks, I'm not sorry for tormenting you about Felix's death, but consider this your apology gift.

Also, by popular request (over on the Discord, anyway, which you should totally join), here's a pretty funny image about Felix's death. Since he's alive, we can joke about it now. Granted, I already joked about it, but now you guys can, too. Thanks @0AnonymousBookworm0 for this comedy gold.

With the epilogue, I can say that Penance, and as an extension Rowan's story, is officially finished. There are four coming bonus chapters from various POVs but there will be no more new content for her. As such, I must thank you again for all your love and your support while we went on this journey together. I can now say, happily and proudly, the end. I hope you enjoyed Rowan's story as much as I did. Keep a lookout for new works coming in the not-so-distant future. I love you all!