EPILOGUE

I wasn't gonna leave you guys like that.

...

"TALIA! You look amazing!" Auriana gasped, tying another flower in her friends hair.

"Mephisto's going to faint when he sees you," Iris giggled.

Talia blushed, taking herself in. It's true... she did feel much lovlier than she usually did. Her long hair was braided and decorated with all sorts of beautiful blossoms. Her dress was a Xerin masterpiece, pure white but trimmed in gold and bright sapphires. Her exposed mid drift and form fitting skirt showed off her figure perfectly. Atop her head she wore the traditional Xerin wedding headdress. She was a vision of perfection in every way.

The door creaked open and the sound of a person with three legs entering the room alerted the princesses to stand abruptly.

"Queen Izira," Iris and Auriana bowed. Talia turned a smiling face to her sister, the newly crowned queen of Xeris after her father's decision to step down when his health started declining.

"Izira!" Talia ran to her sisters arms, but not so intense so to cause her to wobble any on her bad leg, "I was so worried you wouldn't make it,"

"Are you kidding? After your last wedding did you really think I'd miss it?" Izira laughed, "Everything looks amazing, by the way. You two obviously make a really great team,"

Talia had spent the last three years with Mephisto in Zanavia. Helping him with his new responsibilities as the sitting lord of the country. Together they tore down what remained of the castle and built a new, more inviting one. They improved the public dwellings as well, using the funds Gramorr had been hoarding for years and years. It was more than enough to provide the entire country with better living conditions. They were able to also repurpose the peoples taxes so more money was used to go back to the people (granted, Talia did most of that herself. Mephisto was a mess with numbers). Servant hood was outlawed, finally, and a minimum wage was put in effect. They also erected a beautiful monument over the mass burial of Mephisto and Praxina's old village, and purified the land.

Together, the two of them had made Zanavia a better place in 3 years than Gramorr had in who knows how long.

But the thing Mephisto was proudest of... was the orphanage they founded and named for his sister- "Prax's Place," He went there almost every day and hung out with the children. He sang songs with them and taught them his favorite pranks. It was a place they could just be kids, and get a solid education. They didn't need to worry about working or money or what would happen to them. They were well cared for given the lives all children deserved. And, after a lot of begging and pleading from his favorite chamber maid, he allowed Beatrice to work as the head mistress. The children loved and respected her and she spent her days doing what she loved the most- caring for children who needed it. The work suited her very well. And though Mephisto hated that she was still working in her old age, she batted his concerns away.

Interestingly enough, that was where Mephisto was at, while his bride was preparing for their wedding at that moment.

"I am the PILLOW MONSTER!" The young lord with a blanket over his head shouted. The children screamed with delight, and scattered, grabbing all the pillows and bedding they could to pummel him with, "HAHAHA! You fools! YOUR HIGH THREAD COUNT ONLY INCREASES MY POWER!"

One child swung his pillow hard enough that it collided with Mephisto's face, shocking the young man.

"OUCH! I bit my tongue!" The young lord cried, throwing the blanket off. The children laughed, "It's not funny, guys! Diono, you play too rough!"

"Sorry, Lord, Mephisto," The boy snickered, clearly not that apologetic.

"What in the name of the gods...!" The shocked expression from the head mistess silenced the room. The kids scattered to tuck behind their ring leader, "You children have plenty of toys! Your bedding is not one of them!"

"Lord Mephisto said it was ok..." a young girl cried out.

Mephisto turned a hurt look at her, "Snitches get stitches, Fiona!"

"Yeah, he was the pillow monster," Another child commented.

"LOIKIO GEEZE!"

Beatrice walked over to Mephisto with her hands on her hips. She had that intense look she always put on that could get anyone to do anything. Mephisto did his best to puff out his chest and look intimidating. He didn't need a babysitter any more.

"I am the sitting lord of this country, Beatrice. This is my building. I paid for the bedding and I will use it as I see fit!" Mephisto boasted. The children looked at each other with shocked, amused faces, holding back their snickers as they knew something bad was about to happen to their favorite grown up.

"Is that so?" She asked, her eyebrow arched at him.

He crumbled. He simply couldn't stand her disapproval.

"I'm sorry..." He wilted, earning the laughter of the children, "I'll clean it up right now,"

"You don't have time, My Lord," Beatrice told him sternly, "You have to get ready,"

"Oh geeze! is it 5 already!?" His head popped up, looking at the clock on the wall, he frantically started to gather his things as he paced about nervously for a moment. He was about to marry the love of his life and he wasn't nearly ready for it emotionally. Beatrice stopped him, putting both hands on his shoulders and inhaling deeply. He mimicked her and together they exhaled at the same time.

"Better?"

"Better," He sighed, beyond grateful to have her in his life. He turned to the children, "Alright, guys, I gotta get outta here,"

The kids 'awww'ed' in disappointment, always sad to their favorite Orphan leave. He promised he'd be back soon, and with more toys! The kids cheered him before Beatrice could scold him for spoiling them. He took her arms in his own and gave her a quick waltz turn and spun her gracefully. He promised her a dance at the celebration before kissing her cheek. All frustration with him was lost on Beatrice as she laughed in delight. The boy was too charming for his own good.

"I bought you a dress! It's in your office! Wear it!" He called to her before dashing off.

...

Mephisto was still adjusting his cloak when he arrived at the newly constructed chamber. Though he knew he looked really sharp in his wedding duds, he felt a mess. He was so excited to see his bride and so nervous about everything going just right. He went over the checklist in his mind, trying to keep his attention on the details. Details. He was so bad at the details. Praxina was the one who was good at the details...

He was alerted by Lev that the ceremony would be starting soon, so he needed to get in place. He and Talia had decided to have their own kind of ceremony, that took the best parts of both the Xerin and Zanavian one. Instead of walking down together to the crystal, they would enter from opposite ends of the chamber and meet in the middle where the crystal was, as a metaphor for their own journeys leading them to each other.

But when those doors opened and Mephisto caught a glimpse of the woman he would be marrying he had to control himself not to sprint all the way to her. Talia was always a looker... but she nearly had him floored. She walked over to him, a hint of red painting her cheeks at the way he was looking at her, and for all the attention she was getting. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, and was worried he may have thought her look was too much.

Meanwhile, Mephisto was biting his lip, listening to Praxina in his mind telling him to play it cool.

They made it to the crystal and Mephisto couldn't hold back his dopey grin. She was just so...

Talia smirked at him, knowing he was having trouble keeping it together.

They both dropped to sit at the floor pillows, as was the Zanavian ritual, but, Mephisto slipped off Talia's shoes before allowing her to slip off his, as was the Xerin way. Together, in their bare feet, they held hands as they rose to stand before each other.

They recited the Xerin unity chant, a set of promises to each other that they had been already been keeping for the last 3 years, before placing their hands on the sacred purple crystal and saying the spell to unify their souls. Talia let out a small giggle. It tickled a bit more than she remembered last time.

With the spell completed, the couple presented each other with earrings, the symbol in Xeris for a wedded couple. She placed Mephisto's on his right ear, and he put hers on her left. They were a matching set, a simple teal bead that dangled from a gold stud. The perfect combination of their two signature colors.

Lastly, they kissed. Mephisto wrapped his arms around Talia's middle and pulled her in close, planting the softest kiss on her lips. The crowd all cheered for them, the ceremony being completed. Music started to play throughout the chamber and the whole room was bathed in beautiful light from the unity crystal. Talia broke the kiss first, smiling up at her wonderful husband. A coy smirk grew on Mephisto's lips as he let out a loud burst of overjoyed laughter. He lifted his bride up in his arms and swung her around in a full circle. Talia's eyes rolled when he just held her in the air for a moment, laughing like a child who just got the best present of his life.

"You done?"

"Oh not even close," He told her, bringing her back down for a much more passionate kiss. He bent her back into a dip, and the audience went ballistic, laughing and cheering along with them. When Mephisto broke the kiss, he looked to the group and shouted, "Party back at the castle, guys! LETS CELEBRATE!"

...

The amount of joy and love that filled fields of the Zanavian castle could have powered the entire capital of Ephedia. Sweet liquor, Xerin Wine and the finest Calixian ale flowed in abundance. Everyone was dancing and laughing and having such a grand old time, it was enough to forget of the horrors that had taken place merely three years prior. Talia's family watched with pride as their youngest member danced with her husband, being showered with kisses all over her face and neck.

Because they had invited the entire country, and the royals of the other nations to come, they had decided to throw the party out behind the castle, where there was nothing but empty flat land for miles and miles. It had been decorated so beautifully, however, if one hadn't known about the occasion, they would have assumed it was a giant festival of some kind.

Talia couldn't imagine being happier as she was spun around again and again on the dance floor. Even as a little girl, she never could have imagined feeling this loved and special by one person.

"Pssst! Talia... Look at Carissa and Lyna!" Mephisto whispered to his bride. Talia looked over her shoulder to see Carissa, looking absolutely stunning in her fitted dress cloak was escorting the beautiful Lyna, who looked like a doll come to life, dawned in the most gorgeous robe Talia had ever seen. They were bickering about something, but it was clearly getting intense. Ever since saving her from the crystal monster attack, Lyna had fallen for Carissa and the two had been courting... however, they were so different all they ever did was bicker...

Not unlike another certain couple that was currently celebrating their marriage, however.

"Four kisses says Carissa apologizes first," Mephisto grinned.

"Thats a suckers bet," Talia smirked back at him.

Sure enough, they watched as Carissa sighed, and put on her best apologetic face and speak to Lyna much softer than before. Lyna smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, indicating they were all better now.

"Damn," Mephisto cursed, "Could really have used those kisses,"

Talia giggled and leaned up to place four chaste smooches on her beloveds face.

Izira approached them, a soft, patient smile on her face. She bowed at them, and Mephisto straightened up and bowed in return.

"Congratulations, Lord Mephisto," Izira told him respectfully, "You've been blessed with the best wife,"

"And the best inlaw!" Mephisto said larkily, opening his arms up wide, to encase the queen in a big hug, minding her crippled leg and cane, "Come here, sis!"

Izira let out a loud laugh, telling him he wasn't as charming as he thought he was. To which Mephisto had to respectfully disagree.

Talia giggled delightfully, taking in the moment.

But there was still one last person they needed to celebrate with...

...

While the party was in full swing, Mephisto and Talia stole away for a moment, carrying baskets in their arms. Mephisto gathered his shoeless bride in his arms and flew her across the vast distance to where the old wedding chamber once stood... where now a beautiful shrine had taken its place around the red Blossom Sprig that was growing to an impressive size. The bulb was almost as big as tree!

Zanavian Blossom sprigs could get to be the size of towers if left to grow wild and weren't cut or milked. Mephisto would die before he let his sisters flower be touched in such a way. It would grow and grow for as long as it could.

Mephisto laid down the floor pillows in his basket, and Talia took out the bottle of sweet liquor (Praxina's favorite) and the crystal goblets, along with a few of the spicey cookies she had liked.

They sat down and poured the liquor in the three goblets, placing one by the flower.

"We got married today, sis. The ceremony was so beautiful and everyone's having a really great time at the party... " Mephisto told her, his voice only cracking a little, "You'dve hated it,"

Talia giggled at him, before turning the shrine, and sincerely saying, "No you wouldn'tve,"

Mephisto smiled, his eyes getting a bit misty.

"No... you wouldn'tve,"

He got very quiet for awhile. Talia placed her hand over his and gave him a patient, sweet smile.

"She was a hero. You know that, don't you?" Talia told him, caressing over his hand with her fingers. Mephisto smiling, but it was so sad. He nodded solemnly, indicating that he knew very well that she was.

"I never wanted her to be a hero," He confessed with a broken smile, keeping his eyes on the shrine... the only thing he had left of his family. Mephisto's life was wonderful. He had the love of his country, and a beautiful woman who would stand by him for the rest of his life. He had friends and a wonderful home he had made for himself. And yet, a piece of him felt like it was missing... without his sister, the person who came into the world with him, he couldn't help but feel alone, "I just wanted her to be my sister..."

He reached out to touch the bulb, and to his shock... it started to tremble. He recoiled his hands hastily and rose to his feet, not minding the mud getting stuck to his toes. Talia leaned back, confused by her husbands reaction.

"Mephisto? What is it?"

"I... I can feel her..." He gasped. Gulping, he leaned forward to touch it again, the skin of the petals were soft, but firm. And again, the flower trembled at his touch. He didn't pull away though, in fact, he put both hands against it. He didn't perform any spell, but he pushed some magic through his palms to the plant... and to his and Talia's amazement, the bulb opened.

Suddenly, after 3 years of being a giant bulb, it blossomed at once, the petals spilling open. Tears rolled from Mephisto's eyes when he caught a glimpse of what looked like burgundy hair coming from inside the center of the flower. He rushed forward, pushing the petals open impatiently. He had hoped with all his heart, he wasn't imaginig it... but when he saw her, he was shocked... and in complete awe at his sister... sleeping inside the folds of the flower. Her hair had grown to be almost as long as Talias, it wrapped around her in long tressed tangles. She wasn't dressed, having been borne from a flower and all, but Mephisto didn't even care, especially when he saw that she was breathing...

and blue eyes started to open.

"PRAXINA!" He shouted, reaching inside to pull her out. Talia gasped when she saw Mephisto emerge from the flower with his sister in his arms. Talia rushed to their side. Though Praxina's long hair did an effective job of covering her nakedness, Talia still took the liberty to take off Mephistos cape to drape around her new sister in law.

Praxina started to stir slightly, her eyes taking in her surroundings.

"M... Mephisto...?" She breathed. She looked around at everything, not recognizing the castle in the distance, "What... where am I?"

"You're home," Mephisto told her, holding her tightly to his chest as he felt his knees get weak. He knelt down with her, worried he may drop her from his overwhelming feelings. He didn't bother to stop his tears, completely overcome with how happy he was, "Gods, Praxina... I thought I'd never see you again...!"

"Home...?" She blinked, looking at his face and at Talia's, who was staring at her with the biggest smile on of her face. Both of them were crying, and dressed so nicely... Praxina saw the matching earrings and completely faltered, "Son of a... did you two ACTUALLY get married!? What? Do you BOTH have stockholm syndrom, or something!?"

Laughing, Mephisto wiped at his tears, setting his sister down to let her stand. She was a bit wobbly, and needed him for balance, he stood firm for her, happy to to keep her in his arms a bit longer.

"You look so young," Talia chided, eyes wide, "That flower must have preserved you..."

"What do you mean?"

"Its been three years since our fight with Gramorr," Talia told her, "Mephisto and I and everyone else have all aged... but you still look 18,"

"Does this mean...!" Mephisto's eyes lit up, "That I'm the older twin now!?"

"NO!" Praxina shouted. Mephisto bellowed out a hardy laugh.

"WHAT A DAY!" He exclaimed, "First I get married, then I get my LITTLE sister back!? We have to celebrate!"

"UGH!" Praxina's eyes rolled as she tore away from her brother's hug. Talia placed a patient hand on her shoulder, and Praxina had to look at her a little nervously. She wasn't sure how things would be between them now.

"We're just so happy you're back," Talia chided, making sure to add a dig, "...Little sis,"

"Don't ever do that, again..." Praxina deadpanned. Mephisto wrapped one arm around Talia and another around his sister, pulling them both in for a hug. Talia wrapped both her arms around them as well, happy to be in the group hug.

"NOPE! We're a family now, sis! All of us! FOREVER AND EVER!"

"Ugh, just put me back in the flower..." Praxina groaned loudly, but she was smiling...

The End

3

I really hope you guys liked it! I'm actually kinda sad its over, myself.

As always, I really appreciate you reading this far into it,

and I would LOVE to hear what you thought of it. Even if you hated it!

Its been fun!