Chapter Thirteen (Final)

As Caleb, Lilith and I stepped out of the magic realm, he stopped me.

“You head home,” he said. “I’m going to go back to Wolfsbane Manor with Lilith for a little bit. There’s something I want to get.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

He kissed me deeply. “I’ll see you soon. Give me an hour.”

“Take all the time you need,” I smiled.

We parted ways, and I used teleportation to go back home.

Home. Finally. I looked around. Sure, we had come back in the middle of Marco’s reign, but I was still brainwashed. Finally being back home made me feel so much happier. I went up to my room and flopped onto my bed. It was night time and the glow of the city lights danced across my ceiling. I smiled. 

I thought of Ruby. She helped me today. I got so scared when Caleb or Morgyn stepped in to assist me in any way before she told me to let them help. Thanks to her, we defeated Marco and Jay. We won. We were free.

“Thank you,” I said aloud, smiling. I was speaking to Ruby, though I didn’t know if she could truly hear me. I didn’t even know if I would have another dream about her. It seemed like she already told me her stories. 

“I don’t want you to go,” I said. “I know you’re a part of me, but I like seeing my past life.” I smiled again. “And now, Caleb and I need your help more than ever. We can’t find Ambrosia alone.” I closed my eyes, hoping to see her. “I don’t even know what she will think. What will she say? What will she do? Will she be accepting, or will she just slam the door in our faces? Should I even go? Technically I have no connection to her.”

“Yes you do,” a voice said. It echoed across the depths of my mind. Ruby appeared before me. “Jade, you have a connection with her. You’re me. You’re her mother.”

“I don’t even know how to be a mother,” I protested. “Do we actually know? You died before you could be a parent.”

Ruby shrugged. “It’s instinct,” she replied. “I like to think I would have been a great mother.” She gazed off, like she was imagining herself in that role. She smiled happily. “And Caleb. Oh, Caleb, he would have been a great father.” She laughed a little. “Could you imagine him?”

I thought for a moment, picturing Caleb giving piggyback rides, helping to draw pictures, ride a bike, decorate for holidays. I giggled.

“Yes, he would be great.”

Ruby stepped closer. “Tell me, do you plan to have children with him?”

“I…uh…” I stammered. “I’ve never thought about that.”

Ruby laughed. “And you don’t have to. I was merely curious.”

We sat together. She took my hand. “Whatever you do in your future endeavors, I’m sure you’ll be great.” 

I smiled sadly. “So, this is goodbye?”

She waved her hand. “No, I’m sure I’ll invade your memories some more. I have plenty more stories to tell.” She smiled warmly. “But Jade, when Caleb comes back, please be sure to tell him what you told him when you were brainwashed.”

I furrowed my brow. “What do you mean?”

“You told him you were in love with him,” she lowered her voice to a near-whisper. “And he might think right now that you don’t truly feel that way.”

“But I do.”

“I know, and he needs to know that.” She smiled. “You love him like I loved him; truly. Like nothing could ever break that bond. And nothing could. Not even death.” She patted my shoulder.

I smiled.

“But I know something you might not,” she continued. “You feel the same way for someone else.” She smirked.

I looked at her inquisitively. “Morgyn.”

“Yes,” she whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “Morgyn.”

“Does he feel the same?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I have no way of knowing that,” she laughed. “But I see the look in his eye. There’s definitely something there.”

I smiled happily. “I’ll be sure to tell both of them.”

“Good,” she smiled back.

I nodded decisively. I was ready.

Ruby slipped away again, and I drifted off to sleep.

I awoke the next morning to bright sun rays in my face. Opening my eyes, I realized I was under my covers, and Caleb was beside me, also asleep. I smiled, gazing at him. He needed to hear it again.

I stroked his hair. “Caleb?”

He opened his eyes slowly. “Oh, good morning,” he smiled, wrapping his arms around me. 

I gazed into his eyes. “The last time we were here, I confessed something to you.”

“Mhm,” he nodded, caressing my cheek.

“I wanted to tell you that that is still true.” I stroked his hair some more. “I love you.”

He smiled warmly. “I’m glad. I love you too.” He kissed my forehead.

I giggled a little, resting my head on his chest. 

“How’d you sleep?” He asked quietly.

“I slept well. I didn’t expect to see you when I woke up.” I sighed happily.

“That fight took a lot out of me,” he explained. “My vampire energy was dangerously low.”

My eyes widened. “Oh. I didn’t know that.”

“I didn’t let it show,” he grinned. 

I moved a little and he winced in pain. “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He smiled. “It’s alright. Marco got me pretty good with the attack he planned for you.”

I recalled the spear-like magic and furrowed my brow. “Bastard.”

He sat up a bit, moving the blanket so I could see what the magic had done to him. He had a bad gash on his side. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, being a vampire, but it stings.”

I gently placed my hand on it and closed my eyes. I channeled my magic to him, using a healing spell. When I opened my eyes, the wound was gone.

Caleb smiled at me. “Well, thank you.” He caressed my cheek and pulled me toward him, kissing me softly.

I wrapped my arms around him happily. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”

He placed his finger on my lips. “Shhh. Don’t worry about that.” He kissed me again.

I giggled a little, feeling giddy and happy. I broke the kiss and rested my head on him again. “As tempting as you are, Mr. Vatore, I have things I have to do today.”

He leaned down and kissed my neck. “Are you sure?”

I giggled again. “Caleb! You tease!” I playfully pushed him away and gazed into his eyes. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

“Promise?” He narrowed his eyes flirtatiously.

I pecked him on the lips. “Promise.”

I got up and got dressed. I needed to talk to Morgyn right away. I kissed Caleb goodbye and teleported to the realm. 

Morgyn saw me and walked toward me. I smiled at him.

“How was everything here last night?” I asked.

“Great. Far better than the last…however long we were stuck here.” He laughed a little. “Come, I have nothing to show you.”

I followed him to Caster’s Alley. He gestured to the top of the buildings.

“Look,” he smiled. 

I looked up. To my amazement, the buildings were still intact. Prior to Marco’s spell they had crumbled, pieces of them suspended in the air. Marco’s spell had pieced them together, giving the facade of a village where we all lived. Even with his powers long gone, the buildings stood, tall and proud. 

“Wow,” I smiled, in awe. “This is great!”

“Right?” Morgyn exclaimed excitedly. “People can stay here now if they want.”

I gazed at him as he looked up, taking in the scenery. “Morgyn,” I said quietly. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

He looked at me, and our expressions turned serious.

“When we were brainwashed, I expressed my love for Caleb,” I explained, “but he’s not the only one I feel that way about.” I reached up and stroked his hair. “I’m in love with you, too.”

He smiled happily, bringing his hand up to caress my cheek.

“I love you too,” he whispered. He pulled me into a kiss, and I wrapped my arms around him happily.

“It’s about time,” L grinned, walking up to us.

I laughed a little, keeping my arms around Morgyn and resting my head against his. 

“I thought you two would never confess,” she continued.

Simeon approached us as well. “Yeah, seriously,” he agreed with a sly grin.

Morgyn blushed. “You two don’t know the meaning of privacy, eh?”

Simeon laughed. “You’re in the middle of Caster’s Alley!”

I laughed with him. “I mean, he’s right.”

Morgyn grinned, but didn’t say anything.

We all headed back to HQ to aid new spellcasters. I stopped a few times during the day to just look around. Everything was back in balance, the way it should have been. There were far more smiling faces, and the carefree attitude was infectious. 

As the day came to a close, Morgyn approached me. 

“Coming home with me?” I winked.

He laughed. “Sure.”

We headed back to my place and sat down.

“Wow,” he smiled. “This takes me back.”

I laughed. “Yeah! It’s nice, no?*

He nodded. “Yes. Even better with people you love.” He put his arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder.

Caleb came in and sat beside Morgyn. “Lovebirds.”

Morgyn laughed. “I’m glad you decided to join us.”

They chatted, and I listened, closing my eyes.

“Jade,” I heard. It was Ruby.

“Ruby,” I smiled at her.

“You’ve done well,” she nodded. “Everything is balanced and everyone is happy.”

I also nodded. “Yes,” I agreed. I looked down, knowing what was to come.

“Don’t be fearful,” she reassured me. “The search won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it. Just stay focused. Determined.”

“Driven,” we said together.

Ruby smiled. “I’ll help when I can, but I know as much as you do. As a spirit, I also tried to find answers, but all of my searches turned up no leads. No answers.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “It’s up to you now.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“It might not be as hard as you think,” she tilted my head up to look at her. “You live in an age where everyone is connected in some way. Utilize that. It’ll come in handy. But listen to your intuition. Your heart can find her even if computers can’t.”

I nodded again, taking it all in. “Right.”

“Jade,” she furrowed her brow. “I see already that you are discouraged. Please, don’t be. Take in all the information, but let yourself rest if you get overwhelmed.”

“It’ll be like finding a needle in a haystack,” I sighed.

“Shh,” she said. “Listen.”

We were silent. I listened for whatever she wanted me to hear. All I heard was my heartbeat. I looked at her. She was smiling.

“Yes, your heart,” she said, placing her hand on my heart. “she will tell you.”

I nodded slowly, understanding.

“Now,” she said. “Go to sleep. It’s time for your next chapter to begin.”

Go onto Book three; Sweet Ambrosia