The unicorn flipped her head and tipped her horn in my direction. Rylee turned and saw me.
"That … bird has Larkspur's eyes, doesn't it?"
The unicorn bobbed her head. That is the Larkspur if I am seeing correctly.
Rylee's jaw dropped and she hurried to stand in front of me. "Lark?"
I clacked my beak once. I couldn't tell her … that her words of support had been what I needed. That knowing I had her at my back … I hopped onto her shoulder and pressed my face against hers.
"You're welcome, my friend." She brushed a hand over my back and I took off once more.
Ash, Peta, and the mother goddess waited for me high above the clouds and we flew on.
The humans' war machines were sunk to the bottom of the ocean, or swallowed by the earth whole. Not one of their deadly bombs were left. Many perished, but those who lived … they would learn from this. I had to believe they would learn from it.
The mother goddess flew low and the three of us followed. She landed and as we did, our bodies went back to their true shapes.
"All of that … " I swept my hand outward.
She nodded and lifted a gnarled hand to my cheek. "Was coming to this world no matter what changes you might have made. Even if Viv had not chosen her path so wrongly, this world was always going to need a reset or die."
She smiled but I didn't smile back.
"And now? We are here in spirit, dead."
"Yes and no. You are here in spirit, and as such, you can travel the world. When there is great need, you will be able to make yourself seen. Sometimes like this. Sometimes as your other forms."
Peta shuddered in my shoulder. "I don't want to be a bird again."
The mother goddess laughed, and again, I was struck by her maternal nature. "You, Nepeta, have been one of my most joyous children."
Peta ducked her head.
"So we won't be separated now?" I asked the question that burned in me.
The mother goddess shook her head. "No, Lark. You will not be separated from Ash or Peta. Never again."
That was all I needed. "Then we have more adventures ahead of us?" I arched an eyebrow and the mother goddess leaned in and kissed my forehead.
"Many more, Larkspur of the Rim, protector of the world and one true Ender. Many, many more adventures."
CHAPTER 29
NOW TO BE fair, this isn't a chapter just for Larkspur. Its more for me (Shannon) to say thank you for coming along for this wonderful, wacky ride with Larkspur, Peta, Ash and all their loved ones (and even the naughty characters) I hope you have truly enjoyed the series. You may see more of these characters in upcoming series (mostly cameos) as I plan to write in this new world that Larkspur created. The rules will be bent, the dangers new and exciting and when you least expect it, you will see some of your old friends.
Until then, I have something TERRIBLY exciting for you to check out. This is the first time in two years that I will be starting a brand-new series. The first book, "Fury of a Phoenix" will release July 14th, 2017. Here's the blurb (the cover is coming soon!)
An electric and gritty first in the series from the indomitable Shannon Mayer. I found myself laughing, and cheering for the sharp tongued, edgy Phoenix as she hunted those who'd destroyed her world
-Reviewer
"I knew the sins of my past would call to collect what was left of my soul. If I'd known the price I'd pay, I would've sacrificed more to stay hidden from the magic."
In the middle of Wyoming-away from the abnormals of the world-I thought I was free and clear. I started a new life. Found a love I'd never known in a husband, and a son who was my everything.
And in a blinding instant, that life was stolen from me.
The rage of a grieving mother is an ugly beast. More so when she has the skills and killer instinct to back up the wrath and the knowledge that an accident was anything but.
Once more, I will pick up my guns. This time to hunt those who took my husband's and son's lives.
Let them see the assassin, trained to kill abnormals, stalk the shadows again.
Let them see the Phoenix rise from the fragments of a broken life as she burns with a fury that cannot be contained.
Let the killing games begin.
Still here? Thanks so much for reading. Be sure to check out shannonmayer for all the buy links for "Fury of a Phoenix" as well as up to date info on a SECOND new series being released later this year ☺
Really? Still here? Does that mean I need to come up with something fun and interesting … how about the title and blurb for that second new series coming out later this year?