Life Beyond the Temple Read online

  Would I really have a normal life?

  Was that possible for me?

  “Yeah, I think I’m ready,” I said, getting onto the ferry.

  Cinder, Liam, and Ston followed.

  The boat rocked as we made our way to land.

  “What is a normal life like?” I asked as we moved.

  Liam shrugged. “Don’t know. I’m an elven prince.”

  Ston said, “I grew up underground and was forced into magic training. I have no clue.”

  “Think we can really have one?”

  “I think we can try,” Liam said as he put a hand on my shoulder.

  “We might even get close to one,” Ston said, a smirk turning up his lips.

  “Yeah.” I could tell that they were still hurting like I was; we had all been a team. It felt wrong to not have everyone with us now, but at least we had each other.

  The ferry docked, and I was the first one off, the others following me. The ferry started back to the Temple, and we walked to a little path.

  I was looking into the thick forest when I saw movement.

  I could feel my heart racing in my chest as it grew closer.

  She stopped at the edge of the forest and said, “Did they buy it?”

  I couldn’t help but run to her and wrap my arms around her neck. She chuckled quietly and I kissed her hard on the mouth, threading my fingers through her dark hair.

  “Is it going to be like this every time you see me?” Regan asked when I finally pulled away.

  I let my head rest against her shoulder and whispered, “Maybe.”

  “So, did they buy it?”

  “Yeah, they think you died in the battle with Jaysun.”

  “I did,” she reminded me softly, holding me tightly against her.

  She was solid. Warm. Loving. She was here. Dammit, she was alive.

  “They think you’re still dead,” I whispered. And then I thought of something else. “How’s your family?” We had found them locked by some enchantment in their house, probably so Jaysun could torture them later, but I needed to get back to the Temple so I couldn’t stay to see how the family was. Regan had stayed behind for a few hours, but we hadn’t met back up since.

  “Grieving for my brother. But they’re glad that you could stop him from killing anyone else, like my brother and the countless others he used for his undead minions. They were happy to have me home, even my mom.”

  I smiled at that, Regan’s mom had pushed her away for most of her life. This was proof that attitudes toward mages and those who sympathized with them were changing. “That’s good,” I whispered.

  She kissed the top of my head. “We can start our own life now.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “What do we do first?” I asked, my heart jumping in my chest.

  “Whatever you want to do first.”

  “Sleep,” I decided after a minute.

  Cam had sacrificed herself for Regan and me. The Old Ones let her. The guilt wore me down most of the time, but maybe if Regan was there with me, holding me and protecting me from my nightmares, maybe I could get a little sleep. Maybe, just maybe, I could get my first real night of sleep in ages.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Regan whispered as she kissed my head once again.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “I love you too, Casey.”

  “So, what next?” Liam asked, walking up to us with his cocky grin.

  That was a good question. A question I’d answer after I got some sleep.

  Epilogue

  IT HAD been a day since I left the Temple as a free mage. And we were back in the city where we fought Jaysun, standing beside Cam’s tree. We knew we had to do something for her, something important to show we hadn’t forgotten her. It didn’t take long to decide this was where she should be buried. In the place where she had saved so many lives, including my own.

  She was lying on a flat piece of wood that Ston and Liam were holding between them. I had wanted to hold it, to carry her to her final resting place, but I was shaking too much to hold her steady. I couldn’t cry anymore, my tears just wouldn’t come. But my heart ached for her. Every inch of me ached for her. She had given her life for mine, and I couldn’t even carry her. Cinder stood beside me, a low whine coming from him. He had been unusually quiet today; we all had in fact.

  Regan hadn’t said much about her death, but hadn’t slept since she came back. Since she saw Cam lying beside her and shook her roughly, screaming at her. She had been so angry at Cam. I couldn’t figure out why she felt this way. I didn’t believe she liked Cam, I thought there would be sadness, yes, but this anger and bitterness was something I couldn’t figure out. She was standing beside me, her hands balled into fists and her jaw clenched as Cam’s body passed us.

  We followed Liam and Ston closely, trying to ignore the people crying around us. The people who lived here, who had seen what Cam did for them, they had all come to see her off. It made this so much harder than I ever thought it would be. Cam was loved by all. Especially by me. I just wish she could see how loved she was.

  When they were right in front of the large oak tree, they set her on the ground softly. I stepped forward and placed a hand on the trunk and watched it open widely and show a hollow center with a soft grassy bottom and purple flowers, like the one she had given me on the roof. And just when I thought I’d never cry again, I collapsed to the ground, sobbing and covering my face with my hands. Cinder sat beside me and pressed his side against mine. He was shaking too.

  I looked up to see something that surprised me. Regan, her eyes filled with anger, carrying Cam in her arms and setting her down on the grass. Cam looked so peaceful and calm. I had always heard about people looking like that in death, but I never thought Cam would. She was so full of life and vigor. I’d never seen her calm before. And yet, here she was, looking like she was taking a nap.

  “Cam,” Regan’s voice cracked as she spoke, “you idiot. You should have left me. You should have taken care of Casey yourself. You shouldn’t have done this. Given yourself up like this. You shouldn’t hav—” Regan let out a choked sob. “Goddammit, Cam you should have lived.” She lowered her head, and I saw a tear fall from her face and land on Cam’s cheek. “All we did was fight and compete for her, and I finally gave you a chance, but instead you gave it back. I owe you everything, and I can’t even thank you because you’re gone now.” Her shoulders were shaking, and I resisted the urge to walk over to her and comfort her. I couldn’t help her right now, only Cam could. “I owe you my life, Cam, and I owe you Casey’s. And I can’t even apologize for how I acted. You deserved better than this. You deserved to be here. I should be where you are. And I’m so angry at you. For giving up your chance here. For giving up a chance at your own happiness. I can’t even say I would have done the same for you, because I wouldn’t. You’re so much better than I am, and yet here I am, taking your place.” She slammed her fist onto the ground beside Cam with such force, I was afraid she’d break it.

  “Regan,” I said just loud enough for her to hear. “Regan, please. Let her go. Say good-bye. Don’t hold this against her. Please,” I begged quietly.

  She sat motionless for a few minutes, just looking down at Cam. “I may not be able to thank you or scold you for what you did. But I can say good-bye. So good-bye, Cam. And I hope that wherever you are, you know that all these people are here for you. Because you did so much good in the short life you had. More good than I could have ever done. And I swear to take care of Casey in your place. Good-bye, Cam,” she whispered almost too quietly to hear before standing up and walking out of the hollow.

  I couldn’t say good-bye. Liam, Ston, and I had all said good-bye before taking her here. We wanted to say it in private before being surrounded by so many people. Regan had refused then. I was glad she had said everything she needed to before she lost this chance. I stood up, my knees wobbling as I did, and pressed my hand against the trunk. The gap clo
sed, securing Cam inside.

  “Good-bye, Cam,” I whispered as the last sliver closed back up.

  Regan’s hand touched the small of my back, giving me at least a little comfort. And we watched as the people Cam had saved touched the tree before they left back for their homes. The last being the little boy and his mother she had healed.

  Liam, Ston, Regan, Cinder, and I all stayed until the moon was high in the air before we stood. We all walked over and touched our hands to the tree, Cinder pressing the top of his head to it, and said good-bye one last time before turning away and walking back to our hotel.

  She’s happy, right? Cinder asked quietly.

  Of course she is. Cam was always happy. And she always will be. And in that moment, I knew that was the truth. Cam would always find happiness, no matter where she was. And that was enough for me.

  About the Author

  NIKOLAI JOSLIN was born into a military family and has traveled all over the country. He found solace in reading and writing fantasy and science fiction. He never truly found a place to call home until he went to college, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he studies the Baking and Pastry Arts. He hopes to one day open up his own bakery and microbrewery.

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