Today marks 4 months since I posted the very first chapter. Today will be the day I post the very last chapter as well.
I'm not going to go on talking because I will post an A/N after this chapter to explain a few things so without keeping you waiting any longer, I present to you, the epilogue :)
Rae 'Rae x
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Corinne's lips curved up slightly as she closed her eyes and finally succumbed to the darkness.
It was like she was being pulled out of her body. She wondered if this was what dying felt like but she wasn't worried or scared. She was about to be with her mate again and knowing that, gave her a sense of calm.
She jolted to a stop and opened her eyes. She was no longer in the vampire castle but was now in a meadow. It was beautiful, she had to admit. Did this mean she was dead?
"You are correct."
Corinne turned on her heels and her mouth opened in shock and awe at the figure in front of her. She had seen and read many books to know who this person was. She immediately got on one knee and bowed her head,
"My Goddess."
The Goddess looked down at her daughter and smiled. She could see that Corinne was a good child, always had been. She didn't deserve what had happened to her.
"My daughter, please, you do not have to bow to me." The Goddess spoke.
Corinne rose to her feet and looked up at the Goddess. She was most definitely dead if she was seeing her right now. She wondered if Callie was here as well, that would make her feel a lot better. Being able to see her mate again was all she wanted right now,
"You will see your mate soon Corinne."
Corinne nodded and couldn't help but admire the Goddess' beauty. The drawings of her really did no justice. Corinne didn't think she had seen anyone so beautiful. Well, other than Callie of course.
The Goddess smiled, "I am able to hear your thoughts here. The love you have for your mate is astounding. Although, you do not have to call me Goddess all the time. I go by many names, Luna, Nova, Seraphine, Eva. It is your choice."
In the distance, Callie was looking over at Corinne and the Goddess confused. She knew that she had died but if Corinne was here that meant she had died as well. That wasn't what should have happened.
Callie was happy to see her mate, don't get her wrong but she just didn't expect to see her so soon. It made her wonder if Corinne had taken her own life to get here. That didn't make her happy.
Callie walked forward until she was behind Corinne. She placed her hand on Corinne's shoulder and Corinne jumped and turned to face the culprit. Her eyes widened as she looked at Callie.
Corinne couldn't believe what she was seeing. She reached her hand out, gently touching Callie's cheek. She had to make sure that what she was seeing was actually real and not her imagination.
As Corinne's hand touched Callie's cheek, she let out a small sob. She was real,
"Callie." Corinne choked out before hugging her tightly. It felt like forever since she held Callie in her arms. She didn't want to let her go.
"It's really you." Corinne whispered. She felt Callie run a hand through her hair and it was like they were never apart. It was a feeling they both didn't want to let go of,
"Breaking up this reunion is not my intention but I am here for a reason."
Corinne stepped out of the hug but kept Callie's hand in hers. She wasn't about to let her go now, not after she had lost her,
"You Corinne, have been forced into death through the use of The Blood Magic Spell. Hence why you are here right now. The spell only works if you want it to. So, I'm going to ask you a question Corinne. Do you want to go back to earth with your mate?"
Corinne opened her mouth to answer when Callie placed her hand over Corinne's mouth, stopping her from doing so. Corinne turned to face Callie confused at her actions. Callie smiled sadly,
"I am not meant to go back Corinne."
Corinne looked at her confused, her eyes watering slightly at what she was suggesting, "What do you mean?"
"I died. That is how it was meant to be. Going back alters everything. You aren't meant to be here."
Tears ran down Corinne's face at Callie's words, "Don't you want to be together? On earth?"
Callie smiled, "Of course I do but it was not meant to be."
Corinne shook her head, not wanting to believe what Callie was saying. Did she hit her head on the way up here or something?
"I am not leaving without you Callie," Corinne spoke defiantly, "Either we go back to earth together or we stay here together."
The Goddess stepped in, "Your worries are understood Calliria but you dying was not meant to be, as much as you think otherwise. I give you a path yes but unfortunately, I did not foresee this. I am not going to influence your decision but know it was not my intention to allow you to die tonight. Take that into account."
Callie nodded and wiped away Corinne's tears. She wanted to go back to earth with her more than anything in the world but what if everything changed? Her relationship with Corinne was perfect to her and she didn't want that to be affected by what had happened tonight. She didn't want to admit it but she was scared. She was scared when she took to the throne at seventeen but this felt ten times worse than that. Scared wasn't even the right word to describe how she was feeling. She was terrified.
Corinne cupped Callie's right cheek and looked into her eyes, "Please. Come home with me."
The pleading voice from Corinne was hard for Callie to hear. It took her a few more seconds but she eventually made her decision. In reality she didn't know if she was making the right choice but in her heart, she knew she was.
Callie sighed and turned to the Goddess who was looking down at her patiently, "Okay. I choose to-"
Corinne was brought out of her memories by the sound of small footsteps from the other side of her bedroom door. She could tell who it was before she even saw them for herself.
When the door opened, she unconsciously smiled at the sight,
"Mummy!!" Shouted the two children who ran into the room. They jumped onto the bed next to Corinne and smiled up at her,
"Mummy, we no find you anywhere!" Explained the little girl. The little boy next to her nodded in agreement,
"We thought you lost." He spoke.
Corinne smiled down at her two children. Yes, it was possible for her to have biological children, despite the fact that men were, let's just say, not her first choice.
Camellia Callystah Matthews-Remington and Caleb Carlyle Matthews Remington. Twins. The newest additions to the family even though five years had passed since they were born.
They were and still are Corinne's pride and joy, as well as Corey of course, who was now ten years old and growing up to be a wonderful Prince and future King.
Whenever Corinne looked down at her twins, she could see the striking resemblance to Callie, especially Camellia. They looked so alike, it was like looking at a mini Callie most of the time.
Corinne was once again brought out of her thoughts by small hands tapping on her leg, "Mummy? Are you okay?"
Corinne nodded at her daughter and ran a hand through her hair, "I'm fine baby, just thinking that's all. Where is Corey?"
Camellia shrugged. She loved her big brother but she never knew where he was. Caleb on the other hand shadowed Corey every chance he got. He looked up to his big brother and wanted to be just like him when he grew up,
"Corey with Nesus." Caleb said. Corinne laughed at the pronunciation of Corey's new crush,
"You mean Nexus?" Corinne corrected. Caleb nodded frantically making Corinne smile.
Nexus was Corey's crush. Corinne was adamant that they were mates but she wouldn't know until Corey was sixteen. She had a long time until then and she didn't want to rush ahead. Five years had passed already and it didn't even feel that long.
As she came down from her mind again, she caught Caleb hit Camellia in the arm. She didn't catch what was said before but violence was one of the things she didn't tolerate under any circumstances,
"Caleb. You know better. What would your mother say if she was here right now?"
Caleb looked down sadly. He didn't mean to make his mum upset, "She say not to hit Cami."
Corinne nodded, satisfied with his answer, "Exactly, say sorry to your sister please."
Caleb turned to face Camellia, "I sorry Cami."
Camellia nodded and gave him a hug, making Corinne smile. She truly had some amazing children and she couldn't thank the Goddess enough for them,
"Can you go and find Aunty Ava and Aunty Evie, I'll be down in a moment okay."
They both nodded and jumped off the bed, running out of the room to find Ava and Evelyn.
Corinne stood up and walked over to the mirror, looking at herself head to toe. Nothing much had changed over the five years, except she had gained a bit more muscle due to training and such. Other than that, she felt like how she did was she was twenty.
She looked over at Callie's crown on the side table and let out a sad sigh, thinking back to the night of the war. She turned back to the mirror and closed her eyes, taking in a few deep breaths.
She felt a set of arms wrap around her waist from behind and smiled at the feel. She tilted her head slightly and opened her eyes, taking in the beauty of her mate,
"Callie, you know I hate when you do that." Corinne spoke amused. Even after five years, Callie still insisted on kissing her neck, despite Corinne's protests.
Callie smiled against Corinne's neck but didn't stop leaving gentle kisses. She knew Corinne was ticklish there but it always made her smile and that was enough for Callie to continue,
"I know but it makes you smile." Callie replied, making Corinne's smile widen further.
Callie left a final kiss on Corinne's neck before moving to sit down on the bed behind her,
"I heard you talk to the twins, did Caleb hit Camellia?"
Corinne nodded and sat down on the bed next to Callie, "It was only on the arm but we always explain to them how violence isn't tolerated in this family under any circumstance."
Callie nodded in agreement. Ever since the twins were old enough to understand them, they had made sure they understood that violence wasn't allowed. After the war ended, they didn't even want to think about violence, the two Queens had seen and participated in enough to last them a lifetime.
In terms of the war, after the spell was cast, Corinne died and joined Callie in the afterlife. Callie wasn't going to return to earth but Corinne persuaded her otherwise and she instead chose to go back to earth with her mate. She was glad she made that decision in the end.
When they both woke up back on earth, everything was a bit hazy for a while but eventually everything became clear.
They were surrounded by the troops who were looking down at them both sadly. Everyone's face turned to shock at the sight of Callie and Corinne waking up. They were sure that their Queens were dead and now they were alive. It was confusing but they were happy nonetheless.
Corinne woke up a few seconds after Callie and immediately took her mate in a tight embrace, just to make sure she was real again. She was.
They shared a long awaited kiss before smiling at each other. It was a happy moment for everyone and Corinne had to thank Tatum, which she would have if she was able to find her.
Tatum disappeared that night and she heard through sources that she had been arrested for use of the forbidden spell. That made Corinne feel more than guilty because if it wasn't for her, Tatum wouldn't have been arrested.
That was five years ago but the memories were still fresh in their minds. It was like it literally happened yesterday.
Corinne placed her hand on Callie's shoulder, bringing her out of her thoughts. It seemed like ever since the war, both of them delved in and out of their thoughts a lot more, thinking back on that day more than they wanted to.
Callie smiled up at Corinne and stood up in front of her, bending her head slightly so that Corinne could place the crown on top of Callie's head, adjusting it to her liking. Even after five years, Corinne still loved to do that. It was a habit she didn't even want to try and shake off.
They took each others hands and walked out of their bedroom, following the laughter of their children.
It took them to the dining room where dinner was set out on the table. Everyone was seated at the table already, waiting for the Queens arrival.
As the two Queens entered the room, everyone rose from their chairs in respect and only sat down after the Queens did.
Callie scanned the table and smiled at everyone seated at it. Ava and Evelyn, still going strong after five more years were seated on the left of Callie. Drayton and his new mate Hannah were seated on the right of Corinne. Caleb, Camellia and Corey were scattered on both sides of the table.
Callie then looked at the final two dinner guests who had joined the family four years previous; Tatum and Sasha.
A year after Tatum and Sasha were exiled, they decided to take a different route and head back to the wolf realm where they could hopefully seek refuge. Exiled life wasn't bad but it wasn't a life they wanted to continue either.
When they got to the wolf kingdom, they were escorted into the castle where Tatum was shocked but happy to see Callie next to Corinne. That meant her spell had worked and she couldn't have been happier about that.
Corinne didn't even hesitate to allow Tatum and Sasha to permanently live in their castle. It was the least she could for them after she saved her mate.
In fact, Tatum and Sasha were officially named the new royal guards. The royal guards were a pair of guards who directly guarded the King and Queen. It was like a personal bodyguard but of a higher honour.
The fact that they were mages didn't bother Corinne. She couldn't think of anything better and it made everyone pleased. Tatum had saved a Queen and that was something she was highly respected for in the wolf kingdom, mage or not.
Tatum and Sasha had grown close to the two Queens and Sasha repaid them by helping them with their dream of a biological child. A little bit of DNA mixed with magic was all it took for Corinne to conceive a child, or in her case, two.
As a thank you, they were named the godparents of the twins. Tatum was happy but wasn't someone to really express her emotions too often. Sasha on the other hand was ecstatic and bought an endless supply of baby items. She went crazy and Tatum could only wonder what her mate would be like if she decided she wanted to have children of her own. Tatum was not looking forward to it.
Callie's eyes landed on Corinne and her smile widened. After five years, Corinne was still the most beautiful woman she had ever laid her eyes on. It was a mystery to Callie how her mate could continue to get more beautiful as the years went on. She didn't mind though.
She looked back over the table before looking up and sending a mental thank you to the Goddess; Thank you Goddess for the family you have provided me with. Thank you for my happy ending.
A happy ending it was.
Well, at least that's what she thought.
In No Mans Land, there was a familiar face looking out at the wolf kingdom. It had been five years since he had been there but it took him five years to perfect his plan and now he was back to take what was rightfully his from birth.
He smirked at the fact that everyone thought they had gotten a happy ending. That was far from the truth because he had now returned.
He was weak five years ago but that was no longer the case.
Revenge was his goal and he wouldn't allow anything to get in his way this time.