Six months later…
They'd done it. They'd actually managed to pull off a small ceremony. It had been lovely but simple, exactly the wedding they'd wanted.
Mara had even managed to avoid her doubts, her guilt all day. Until she saw him.
Dankin had been doing better lately. She'd even started to believe him when he smiled. Mara had eventually told Luke about Callista's last words. He had known better than to say anything. He had not pretended to know Callista's intent. Instead Luke had quietly held Mara close, until the sun rose. Mara had not told Dankin. She'd never found the right time, nor the right words.
The reception was winding down as Dankin approached. Luke was by her side and squeezed her hand encouragingly. Not knowing what to say, Mara stepped forward and gave Dankin a brief hug. Then she stepped back so Luke could shake his hand.
Somehow it all seemed very final and Mara fought against a flashback to Azterri. "Well, Mara," Dankin said, grasping Mara's hand and looking deeper into her eyes that he had in a long time, "Te lucis valiturus."
"What did you say?" Mara asked, her grip abruptly tightening on Dankin's hand.
Dankin seemed startled be her intensity and tried to back away. Aves was nearby and stepped up defensively beside his friend.
"Mara," Luke said cautiously, putting one hand on her shoulder and the other on her right wrist, encouraging her to release her grip.
Mara loosened her grip, but was still intent on receiving a response. "Repeat what you just said."
Dankin swallowed uncertainly before carefully saying, "Te lucis valiturus."
"It's an old Chadrian saying," Aves offered. "You say it at weddings and such when you might never see the other person again. It means 'I wish you the best,' 'have a nice life,' something like that."
"That's it," Mara cried. "That's it." Suddenly her legs felt very weak and she grabbed onto Luke. He held her tightly. "That's what she said. Callista's last words."
Callista's last words had not been for Luke or for Lucky. Her last words had been for Mara.
Te lucis valiturus.
I wish you the best.
fin
