Epilogue: Blood's Legacy

Sunlight poured through the open crack between the curtains. Wincing at the light, Monea rolled over. However, the movement jarred Ren.

“It’s still early, Monea,” he grumbled, his eyes still closed.

She smiled at his usual grumpiness. Ren was never a morning person. And although they took separate rooms in the palace, it had been a formality and for storage. They usually spent the night together in one room or the other.

With a loving air, she traced the edge of his face with her fingertips. “The sun’s already up. We should be, too.”

He snorted, obstinately keeping his eyes shut. He was very tempted to tell her what she could do with that idea, but then Monea always gave as good as she got. Besides, her hands stroking his face was relaxing.

Except the bandages tickled.

Ren’s eyes snapped open and he grabbed her wrists. She immediately froze, surprised by his actions. For a moment, they simply stared at one another.

“How are you hands?” Ren asked, trying to sound casual.

Monea’s face turned to stone immediately, signaling his failure. She jerked her wrists free. “I’m fine.” She rolled over and then got out of bed.

“Harmonea,” he began, but her glare made him fall silent.

“I’ve been taking care of myself long before I met you, Oriren.” She never called him Oriren unless she was completely furious or absolutely serious. With jerky movements, she removed the bandages, showing the still too-pink skin to him. “See. My hands are healed.”

He sat up, crossing his arms over his bare chest. “I bet they itch like hell, though.”

The remark threw her off guard. For a moment, she gaped at him. Then, her anger returned. “I hate you sometimes,” she muttered.

Ren sighed. “You don’t mean that. You just hate it when I’m right. Which is most of the time, I might add.”

“Cocky, aren’t you?” She sat back down on the bed. “I know why I put up with you, but why do you put up with me?”

He grinned. “I happen to love you.”

“Why?”

If she hadn’t appeared so serious, he would have laughed. “You want to know why I love you?”

She nodded. “I want to know why you love a half-caste freak like me.”

Half-caste. It was her main and most recurrent insecurity. They had had this argument before, but it didn’t seemed to be enough for her.

“Look at me,” she continued, shoving her hands in his face. “My own body rejects my power.”

“I doubt much could handle the heat your powers can generate, Monea,” Ren countered. “We’ve both seen the effects your blasts can have up close. If you body truly rejected your powers, your arms would have been charred black the first time you really used them.”

His words did have some affect, but she still wasn’t completely convinced. “I’m still half-caste.”

“That doesn’t matter to me.” His exasperation was seeping into his voice. “Does it bother you that I’m common.”

Monea glared, her violet eyes flashing angrily. “You’re not common.”

“I am common, and way out of the league for a member of the Melion clan. So, why should a noble-born lady like you love a low-blood like me?”

“Nobility hasn’t meant much since the Fall,” she said, “unless you support the Empire.”

“Being half-caste is the same,” he added. “Besides, you have helped more people with your gifts, Harmonea Melion, than any pure-blood I know. Even the House of Light itself wasn’t pure-blood, you know.”

“Neither are the twins, Dido and Scylla,” she said reluctantly.

Ren took her hand gently and kissed the inside of her wrist. “Don’t you think it’s time to let your old fears go, Monea? We are so close to freeing Cignus. Don’t let old doubts hinder you.”

“I love you,” she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

He smiled and pulled her willing form to him. “I know. I love you, too.”

He smiled and held her in the rumpled bed as the sun slowly climbed higher in the sky.


Blood's Legacy Sunlight poured through the open crack between the curtains. Wincing at the light, Monea rolled over. However, the movement jarred Ren. “It’s still early, Monea,” he grumbled, his eyes still closed. She smiled at his usual grumpiness. Ren was never a morning person. And although they took separate rooms in the palace, it had been a formality and for storage. They usually spent the night together in one room or the other. With a loving air, she traced the edge of his face with her fingertips. “The sun’s already up. We should be, too.” He snorted, obstinately keeping his eyes shut. He was very tempted to tell her what she could do with that idea, but then Monea always gave as good as she got. Besides, her hands stroking his face was relaxing. Except the bandages tickled. Ren’s eyes snapped open and he grabbed her wrists. She immediately froze, surprised by his actions. For a moment, they simply stared at one another. “How are you hands?” Ren asked, trying to sound casual. Monea’s face turned to stone immediately, signaling his failure. She jerked her wrists free. “I’m fine.” She rolled over and then got out of bed. “Harmonea,” he began, but her glare made him fall silent. “I’ve been taking care of myself long before I met you, Oriren.” She never called him Oriren unless she was completely furious or absolutely serious. With jerky movements, she removed the bandages, showing the still too-pink skin to him. “See. My hands are healed.” He sat up, crossing his arms over his bare chest. “I bet they itch like hell, though.” The remark threw her off guard. For a moment, she gaped at him. Then, her anger returned. “I hate you sometimes,” she muttered. Ren sighed. “You don’t mean that. You just hate it when I’m right. Which is most of the time, I might add.” “Cocky, aren’t you?” She sat back down on the bed. “I know why I put up with you, but why do you put up with me?” He grinned. “I happen to love you.” “Why?” If she hadn’t appeared so serious, he would have laughed. “You want to know why I love you?” She nodded. “I want to know why you love a half-caste freak like me.” Half-caste. It was her main and most recurrent insecurity. They had had this argument before, but it didn’t seemed to be enough for her. “Look at me,” she continued, shoving her hands in his face. “My own body rejects my power.” “I doubt much could handle the heat your powers can generate, Monea,” Ren countered. “We’ve both seen the effects your blasts can have up close. If you body truly rejected your powers, your arms would have been charred black the first time you really used them.” His words did have some affect, but she still wasn’t completely convinced. “I’m still half-caste.” “That doesn’t matter to me.” His exasperation was seeping into his voice. “Does it bother you that I’m common.” Monea glared, her violet eyes flashing angrily. “You’re not common.” “I am common, and way out of the league for a member of the Melion clan. So, why should a noble-born lady like you love a low-blood like me?” “Nobility hasn’t meant much since the Fall,” she said, “unless you support the Empire.” “Being half-caste is the same,” he added. “Besides, you have helped more people with your gifts, Harmonea Melion, than any pure-blood I know. Even the House of Light itself wasn’t pure-blood, you know.” “Neither are the twins, Dido and Scylla,” she said reluctantly. Ren took her hand gently and kissed the inside of her wrist. “Don’t you think it’s time to let your old fears go, Monea? We are so close to freeing Cignus. Don’t let old doubts hinder you.” “I love you,” she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. He smiled and pulled her willing form to him. “I know. I love you, too.” He smiled and held her in the rumpled bed as the sun slowly climbed higher in the sky.


Jupiter's Gone