Page 139 of Ever After

“Where is Dog?” I ask, suddenly missing the little fellow. “I know you hid him but it’s surely safe for him to come out now.”

“Oh, he has gone to his master,” Branok says, getting out his pipe and tapping it against his leg.

I blink. “His master?”

“Aye.” He pauses. “Wait. Did you think I was his master?”

“It’s a logical thought, given he appeared constantly with you,” I say crossly.

“Really, what you know about the spirit world could be said in one sentence.” Levi snorts and I glare at him. Branok waves a careless hand. “All pets wait at the bridge for their owners to come over. Dog was just biding his time with me. His real owner crossed over this morning, and Dog went immediately to his side where he will stay. Dogs and cats are always the first to greet their dead.”

“That’s actually really nice,” Levi says.

Branok smiles at him. “It is a shame that some people dismiss dogs. They are loyal creatures and they always recognise and return love when it is given to them. Many humans could do with that skill.”

“Maybe humans just need a bit of training from the right people,” I say softly, looking at Levi, and he winks at me. Then I grimace. “But that means you’re completely alone now.”

“It is fine,” he says soothingly. He looks between us. “I never had much use for love before Xander and after him, but I shall recognise it now after seeing you two together. I am glad your world accepts you as you are.”

“Well, not all of it does,” Levi points out. “But luckily for us, the important parts of our world do.”

I open my mouth to say something snarky, but at that moment, the sun comes out from behind the clouds, and everything sparkles. A breeze blows through with a sweet scent. There’s a click, the familiar creak of the garden gate, and there he is at last—Xander standing in the gateway.

He’s dressed in breeches, an open-necked shirt, with a plain brown waistcoat and coat. His own ring gleams on his finger, and he pushes his long hair back, the movement as comfortably casual as it undoubtedly was in life. He smiles at Branok.

“Well, here I am,” he says cheerfully. “Like a bad penny turning up again and again. Didn’t I say you would be sick of me one day? I warned you, but you never paid any attention to those things.” His voice is low and filled with humour, and his face is merry. I like him immediately.

“I could never be sick of you if I lived to eternity,” Branok says hoarsely. “My Xander.”

I almost want to look away because the expression on his face is so beautiful but private—a complete and utter joy that is meant for only one man to see.

Xander opens his arms, Branok strides forward, and then they’re wrapped tightly together. Tiny lights sparkle around them, flickering like a thousand fireflies.

“Oh my god,” Levi breathes. He pulls me down and into his lap, and I curl into him, resting my head on his shoulder.

“We did that,” I say quietly.

“Hmm.” He pinches my hip. “So, maybe next time don’t get so doom and gloom about your powers ruining my honeymoon.”

“Next time? How many honeymoons are you having?” I can’t help my smile. It’s far too fond. “And it’s your honeymoon now, is it?”

“Yes, keep up.”

“I’d like to remind you about faux zombies, crotchety angel statues, and strange hangman ghosts.”

“Meh. Nothing we can’t handle.”

The lovers separate and Branok leads Xander over to us. “I would like to properly introduce you to Lysander, the sixth lord of St Claire.”

“Oh my god, do I have to curtsey?” I say, and Levi snorts.

Xander grins. “That would undoubtedly be an experience for all of us, but not this afternoon.” I laugh and watch as his smile fades into seriousness. “I would thank you both.”

I put up my hand. “Oh my god, please don’t.”

He looks at Branok who shrugs. “I told you. Very little manners and quite feral at times.”

“Hey!” I say indignantly.