Epilogue

Eric

(A week later)

  I briefly looked for support in my wife's eyes as I began the speech. I felt honored that the people looked beyond differences between both warring parties and has me reinstated but returning had been nothing but easy. Neither was it easy to face the fact, I was facing thousands of people who knew I wasn't one of them. I felt foreign but Maisy was there to give me the support I needed if only I could get the thought of how wild we were last night. I shook off my dwindling thoughts and focused on my speech.

"I'm here to thank you all for keeping an open mind in the recent discovery of the supernatural in Nodith and I will forever be thankful for reinstating us in. For years, Humans and mystics have battled one another due to fear. Fear kills and we have to admit we do stupid things when we are afraid. I hope from now on, both factions can work hand in hand for the progress of Nodith."

  There was silence when I was done. The good kind of silence. Everyone had been through a lot and I didn't expect them to be up and running any time soon.

I headed back to the castle seeing Osei talking to Maisy. I was reminded of Anthony and Sara. Osei had taken my brother along with Sara for a spiritual treatment having informed me their predicament was caused by dark magic.

"How are they?"

"They are fine. They are both making progress and even if it takes years, They will return to the people you knew," She assured me. "The order also praises you for what you stood through but I'm here to tell you I'm proud of you... For opening their eyes and proving to the order that people are ready."

"Thank you, Osei."

She nodded and turned to Maisy.

"Nodith is open-minded to werewolves. I wonder why Eric didn't tell them you are now a vampire."

Maisy stole a glance at me before replying,

"He wants to take it one step at a time."

"How is your father coping with this new development? I learned he has returned to Linsea."

"Yes... He didn't like it at first but when he found out it's the only reason I'm still alive, He just had to accept it."

"You were really strong Maisy, " Osei began. "I just hope you are able to understand what you have become and please doing make me regret this secret."

The big secret was not everyone knew Maisy we now undead. Vampires were one of the complicated 'monsters' the paladins fought in times before. They were ruthless and almost invincible, which was one of the reasons I didn't want the order or Nodith to know. It was better off a secret.

"You won't regret it, Osei. I give you my word."

***

Maisy

"You look worried?" Eric's baritone voice drew me away from my train of thought.

I was worried. In the course of the week, I've had the unending taste and hunger for the crimson liquid that ran through every person's body.

"It's about your vampirism right?"

"I'm just worried, Eric. What if it can't be kept a secret? This lust to bite into every living person throat and drink them dry is killing me. And I thought hearing voices in my head was bad enough."

"Don't sweat it Maisy. I promise it will be okay. I'll be here for you and if your thirst worries you, Remember my blood is your for the taking."

"Shut up," I said, hitting his bulky arms. I knew what he was doing. Being a vampire has a lot of perks I wasn't expecting. Like how drinking the blood of someone you loved was far intoxicating than sex or Ale. I learned that one yesterday. Another thing was drinking werewolf blood can drive one to a state of frenzy. Something I'd call high. If he hasn't restrained me last night, God knows what would have happened.

It was fun remembering beautiful and dangerous memories like that but I had to be serious. The blood lust wasn't the only thing bothering me.

"But would you still love me years from now when you'll need an heir?"

"Maisy, " He said, putting away the falling traces of my hair behind my ear while he continued. "I know when that time comes, It will be hard but I know we'll get through it. Moreover, we can adopt. No one has to know."

That manic glee in his eyes. I knew I was in for it all. The secret, The lies, The drama...

A perk of being a Clarke.

"I guess I am a Clarke now."

"True." He teased.

He then leaned forward making my pulse raced. It that strange feeling you would get even if you weren't truly alive. I stared into his eyes, Those little stars that dragged me into this in the first place and  I saw the depth of his soul and his love for me. His lips touched my cheek. Time stopped. I swore my heart came alive and my breath caught in my throat. Our fingers locked together similar to puzzle pieces. As the soft skin of his mouth left the side of my face, He whispered.

"So don't worry Maisy. It's going to be a good life."

I believed him even if my thought weighed me down and I feared the unknown. I was sure he would be my side for a very long time and honestly, It was all I wanted. To have a forever with the man my eyes mirrored, The man who made my heart beat again.

Who wouldn't be allured?