Epilogue

                                    

                                          
"I love you, forever, and our love will never fade. Our threads of fate are interweaved, though worn through time and frayed. I feel it, deep within my soul. My heart, for yours, was made." -Emma Doe
The sand falls between my fingers and I watch as the grains descend together. The waves ebb and flow towards my feet leisurely, the slight breeze brushing along the surface of the water. I inhale deeply, the salt in the air bristling my senses. My long hair tussles in the breeze and I reach around, wrapping it in a band. It will need a cut.   
It has been a week and he has not arrived. Much to my surprise, Luvenia and Felio arrived days ago. I was reluctant to let them steal our peace, but given their help in our last lifetime, I could not be impolite. They have allowed me my solitude and that is enough to tolerate their presence for now.
Soren and Xander are not welcome. Though they did support us in the end, it was their fault we needed such protection in the first place. I do not forgive easily. I certainly have not forgotten.
Though I suppose you could say I did forget, for the last twenty-one years at least. It is like being in a dream, it feels real, but the edges are blurry. There is a dullness that you are unable to place, something is missing, a piece of you. You search for it elsewhere, people, things, experiences. But nothing feels right. And then the veil is lifted, and I remember; it is him that I need. He is my missing piece.  
I scan the blue horizon where the hues of dark waters and light sky meet. I close my eyes and tilt my head upward to the warm rays of the sun, glowing bright and unfiltered today. Removing sight allows me to hear rustling in the distance behind me and my heart skips a beat. 
I remain standing on the spot, too afraid to turn around and ruin my hope. Soft voices come next, and I hold my eyes on the blue. The voices stop and I hear a loud thump as if something hits the wooden fence that I spent all yesterday fixing. I remain still, motionless, a statue, holding my breath and counting seconds in my mind.
Warm arms wrap around my waist, and I am pulled against a hard chest, featherlight lips descending to the side of my neck, the puff of air cool against the warmth of the sun. I close my eyes, place my hands over the smooth skin wrapped around me and bask in his embrace. 
We stand like that for minutes before I slowly turn around in his arms. I reach up and cup his cheeks in my hands, scanning over my love's serene face. His golden hair flops into his face, longer than I last saw it and he wears a soft smile. His eyes are warm and sparkling as he stares at me.
"Cass," he whispers.
My eyes drop to his mouth, and I lean forward, bringing our lips together a second later. He responds instantly, moving his mouth with mine and kissing me with such sweetness, I almost lose my balance. When we part, both breathless and smiling, I finally speak. 
"Eros," I say, running my fingertips along his jaw and cheekbone. 
I scan my eyes over his form; he wears a maroon shirt, the long sleeves pulled up to his elbows and black Sayer sneakers on his feet. Stylish as always. I run my hands down his neck and across his shoulders, checking he is unharmed and in one piece. I notice the smooth and untarnished skin under his collarbone; there is no scar. I do not know why I thought there might be.
"You are real?" I ask. Eros nods, smiling wider and tightening his grip around my waist. I exhale in relief.
I see movement in my peripheral vision and look to the right, behind Eros. Onyx stands at the gate, watching us intently with a hint of a smirk on his face. He wears a baseball hat and bends to pick up a large backpack that appears to have been dropped carelessly. Onyx swings it over his shoulder and looks back up at me. When he sees my stare, I smile in a silent thank you. Onyx tips his hat towards me and turns around, opening the gate and walking down the stone path where Admodias waits by the front door, a cheerful smile adorning her face. I am thankful for the privacy they give us. 
I turn my attention back to my Angel, running my hands back up his arms and around his back, pulling him into me and reassuring myself he is truly here. He is in front of me, arms around me, eyes full of love, voice sweet and full of fondness that I am so familiar with. I take a few deep breaths.
"Don't...do not ever do that to me again," I say, burying my face in his neck in a tight hug. Eros chuckles and rests his head on my shoulder.
"I promise, I'll try not to."
I pull back and stare at him, taking in his beauty for a moment longer before bringing our lips together again. 
"Love," I mumble between sweet kisses, swaying us on the uneven sand. Eros loses his balance and in slow motion begins to fall, his arms tight around me taking me with him. We crash to the grainy ground, puffs of sand rising and falling around our heavy bodies. I land half over Eros and as we recoup, Eros looks at me and bursts out in a giggle.
The sound reverberates in my soul. It is the sweetest, most delicate sound in all the heavens. I cannot resist smiling wide at my angel, pulling him to me in a heated kiss.
As we sit on the sand watching the last rays of sunlight struggle to hold onto the horizon, we talk about our recent lifetimes and his lost life as Oliver. Eros sits in front of me, laying against my chest and playing with my hand draped over his shoulder.
"You made me fall in love with you again," he says, running his fingertips over my knuckles gently.
I hum, pressing light kisses just below his ear. Eros twists in my lap so he can look in my eyes.
"Thank you, Cassian," he kisses my cheek, the light touch causing my eyes to close in the pure tenderness emanating from Eros' being.
"I would do it a thousand times over if I had to, Angel." Eros sighs contently, dropping his head to my chest and melting into me. I am whole, being here in our favourite place on Earth, with Eros in my arms.
Eros pulls back again, his face screwed up in confusion. My face returns the expression and I lift my eyebrows questioningly.
"What's going to happen, Cassian? You are an Archangel now. More than that, you are the High Guard Warrior." When I tilt my head slightly, Eros adds, "Onyx told me."
I shake my head, "I did not ask for the position. I do not want it. They can find someone else."
He shakes his head, "you know that's not how it works."
I shrug and play with the long strands of blonde hanging against his collarbone. "It is now. I choose you. I will always choose you, Eros." 
He sweeps a piece of hair out of his face and smiles, "and I you, Cassian, always." 
There will be a reckoning one day. I killed an Archangel and other warriors. I all but joined the rebellion side, who shed further angel's blood in the fight. I am a traitor, and also the High Guard Warrior. Our peace will not last for long. 
But that battle is for another day. 
Today I will enjoy my lover's hand wrapped in mine and the way his eyes are shining with a renewed love for me. To say I love him is too simple. He is my past, my present and my future. He fights with me, he laughs with me, and he makes my existence brighter. He owns my heart and my soul. Words are not enough. So, I will say I love you with each smile, with each tender touch, with each kiss, with every breath.  
My love, my treasure, my Eros Angel.