The spirit of the young man he once was, captured his eyes when he glanced up at her and emotion glimmered in his honey irises, unable to be held back. With a slow nod, he stood, curling into her embrace like he would in his mother’s arms.
Princess Keira cradled his head to her chest, resting her cheek on his head and caressing his neck and back with such tenderness and affection that it left me speechless.
Kingston was from a race of natural warriors native to the Cresting Sun Empire, the people who ruled and nourished the Desertlands long ago. In order to become the fierce sentries they were, Raithian took the chosen ones from their enslaved mothers as babes, so they never knew what tenderness and motherly care could feel like.
Watching Kingston with Princess Keira in this moment, it was clear to me that after they escaped the Hollow, he had found that feeling in her and he would never see her as anything else. I had never perceived such unbridled humility and devotion in him. When his eyes fell closed, a tear slid down his bronzed skin, and he held her gently.
He not only respected her, he worshiped her.
The reminder of just how much Kingston had truly lost in this war constricted my heart, just as Braxton’s arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his strong chest. Warmth met my cheek instantly, and we just stood there, in silence, letting the man who had become so much to all of us have this much-needed moment…
That was, until Brax’s breath fanned my ear. “I’m so going to tease him for this later.”
My lips twitched, but I sent him a warning glance that had him grinning mischievously. It was all jesting of course; even Braxton was feeling the emotion of their shared moment.
Princess Keira’s laughter rang around us like bells when she let go of Kingston and Imogen rushed her, almost tackling her from the excitement.
“Well, I’ll be washed, dried, and double fried, darling!! I can actually feel you! What crazy kind of magic is this?”
Our chuckles mixed with Imogen’s colorful language, watching her step back from the hug with true shock streaking her features.
“I’m a Soul Walker,” Braxton’s mom explained. “This ability allows me to commune with the world of the ascended while alive, speak to our ancestors, seek guidance, and choose my moment of peace and transition. Now that I have ascended, Soul Walking also allows me to communicate with the world of the living and bring you to my new home, the Lake of Tranquility. In here, you can see and feel the true form of my soul.”
“Is that why you are tangible to us but still have that ethereal glow?” I asked, understanding her ability a bit more.
“Exactly, sweetie.” Princess Keira’s caring smile turned to me.
“Well, you sure look good for a dead gal.”
“Imogen!” Kingston scolded, appalled.
“What? She is dead, isn’t she?”
“I’m no longer in my mortal body, but I am forever alive here,” Princess Keira clarified with an amused chuckle.
“My father is here too,” Braxton added.
“He is?” Imogen stepped closer, her hopeful expression growing with excitement and nervousness at the possibility of seeing her idol and friend once more.
Kingston’s eyes mirrored her emotions when he stepped next to her. “May we see him too?”
“He doesn’t share mom’s ability, so you won’t be able to see him. But you can feel him,” Braxton explained, glancing at his mother. “Is he beside you?” His eyes searched her surroundings as though trying to sense where he was. “Dad, hug Imogen like you did me. I’m sure she’ll want—"
His words stalled when Princess Keira stopped before him, her hand resting on his arm. Her troubled gaze focused on him. “I’m sorry, Son. Your dad is no longer here.”
A wave of dread visibly rushed through us all, and Braxton’s body instantly tensed next to me.
“Why not?”
“Did something happen to his soul?” Imogen and Kingston anxiously asked at the same time.
“What happened to him?” The words strained to pass Braxton’s lips as he closed himself to the pain to come, and I took his hand in mine supportively.
Surprisingly, his mother’s expression lightened, her smile returning. “He found peace, Baby. He crossed the bridge. When you and Evie cleared his name, the outpouring of love and worship his soul received was so overwhelming that it erased the years of suffering he’d experienced under the weight of the past.”
“But how could he leave you alone?” Braxton whispered, as though it physically hurt him to know his father was not by her side anymore.
A heavy sigh left her, and she cradled his cheeks. “He had no choice in the matter, Baby. His soul became so weightless, and brilliant, that he turned into pure light before my eyes and floated to the other side. It was the most beautiful sight.”
With a nod, Braxton smiled in return, but his joy was tainted.
“So, you are alone here?” I asked after, briefly glancing at the crystal bridge that gleamed like a rainbow in the distance.
“Not truly,” she confessed. “I am watching over the two of you, and I’m here whenever you need me. To guide you, to answer any questions you may have, and help you through this fight to the best of my ability.”
“Cross the bridge, Mom. Find your peace. I can do this without holding you back. I have Evie, Kingston, and Imogen to guide and help me. You don’t have to stay here, without Dad, for me.”
His mother’s hand fell to his chest, caressing the taught muscles over his heart that concealed his grief for her. Ever so slightly, her gaze swept the now unhidden scar on her son’s torso, and she glanced up at him, a renewed wave of love illuminating her features.
“Braxton, you were there for me regardless of how horrible it was for you or how hard it became. You were always there, caring for me when I couldn’t care for myself. What kind of mother would I be if I left your side when you needed me the most? You are my son, and I’m going to be here for you whether you like it or not.”
Her last words held a bit of a chiding yet teasing tone, but they were heavy with truth, and once again, my heart constricted. When I looked over at Imogen and my guardian, I found the same recognition of Braxton’s sacrifices edged in their saddened features.
“Besides, I’m happy here. I promise.”
“Okay, Mom. I trust you.”
Her lips curved with his acceptance, and she kissed his cheek, taking his hand in hers. “I do have peace here. Let me show you.” Her gaze swept over the rest of us when she started to pull Braxton with her. “Come on.”
Exchanging a brief glance, we began to walk along the beach, following the princess. As we moved, splashing sounds danced in the air. Kingston, Imogen, and I turned our heads towards the endless lake to find Tharion bathing there with a white Dragon who was almost as scary as he. Our eyes widened when we realized they were not alone. A golden honey Dragon swam in the water with them, playing like kids would and sending waves to the shore as her form bobbed in and out of the glimmering surface.
“It’s Ember!” I couldn’t help myself from gasping, happy to see her here, safe and healed.
“Yes, she is,” Braxton confirmed, the delight I felt at seeing her again mirroring on his face. Kingston and Imogen joined us then, happiness and nostalgia filling their eyes.