Slowly, things returned to normal at the palace. Zoe's siblings welcomed her back with opens arms and many confused questions. Salem adapted to her new environment quickly, loving every stone arch and little white mouse that the castle was made up of. Zoe spent most of her time with her siblings, catching up on what had happened while she had been gone, while Salem and Nathaniel continued to bond. The months at the palace passed quickly. Zoe kept in touch with Forrest with regular letters. Over all, she was happy. Still, there was always a sadness that sat in Zoe's heart. No matter how long it had been, or how hard she believed she had truly forgotten him, Dante was still missing from her life. He had filled an essential part, and his absence was still marked by the hole Zoe had in her life.
Her family did not ask much about Dante, and Zoe did not offer the information. As far as her family knew, they had been married and living happily somewhere in the Eastern Lands. No one knew why Zoe had returned, other than her simple explanation that she just needed to come home. Her simple presence seemed to pacify them, and explanations were forgotten.
It was a cool autumn day in Corus, and Zoe had just returned from visiting her brother Ashton, who apparently had decided to stay in Corus for awhile. Salem was being watch by her grandfather, who doted upon Zoe's daughter practically more than anyone had ever seen him dote on his own children. Zoe was walking through one of the large stone courtyards to a popular back entrance to the north wing, when something caught her eye. Or someone, rather. A large dark figure loomed on the other side of the garden wall, watching her. Zoe stopped and watched the figure watch her. The shadow of a person began to walk towards her, scaling the fence of shrubbery with ease. As the figure got closer, Zoe began to be able to make out some of the features. It was obviously a male - Zoe could tell by the strong, broad build of the shoulders. The man had dark hair, and was clad in all black. As he walked closer, Zoe saw his skin tone was medium. It was then that a gate opened in her head, and a million different thoughts flooded. He was back. She opened her mouth, not knowing if she would even have the ability to speak.
"Dante.." She managed to squeak. She watched Dante's full lips curl back into a wide smile, revealing his gleaming white teeth. He jogged the rest of the way over to her, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
"Zoe.." He whispered softly. Her arms clutched Dante's body tightly, refusing to let go. She buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent deeply. It was mixed with the awful stench of his horse, his aftershave, and several exotic smells Zoe assumed came from Carthak or wherever he had been traveling these past years.
"I thought..I mean.." Zoe stumbled over her words, not knowing what to say, or where to start. Dante released her slightly, allowing him enough room to look at her and caress her cheek gently with a callused finger, smiling.
"I know. I finished the job, but I was almost caught. I spent the rest of my time running, hiding in the jungles of Carthak, until they took me for dead and stop looking. I managed to travel back home, to Galla, but Mama and Papa said you had left, months ago. So I came here.." He explained, trailing off at the end. "You look so different with blonde hair." He said. "Is that your natural colour?" Zoe nodded and smiled. There was a different question on her mind.
"Did they tell you about Salem?" She questioned. Dante's perfectly formed eyebrows arched.
"Salem?" Zoe laughed, feeling giddy all the sudden.
"Our daughter." She explained, simply. Dante's eyes widened, and he broke out into a broad grin, his whole face glowing.
"We..a daughter.. how old is she? Where is she? You have to take me to her!" He exclaimed. Zoe laughed and hugged Dante again, tightly. She felt as if she were walking on air, she had never felt this joyous before.
"She's in my room." She told him, and released his body, taking hold of his hand. She lead him up the winding stairs quickly, down several brightly lit hallways, and into a large bedroom. Salem was sitting on the ground, carefully building a castle from the blocks Mr.Kedar had made her so long ago, while a servant tidied the room, keeping an eye on Salem the entire the time. Dante stood dumbstruck, staring at this beautiful little creature that was his daughter. Salem sensed that she was being watched, and looked her, her deep brown eyes studying Dante intensely.
"New friend?" Salem asked her mother, not looking away from Dante for a moment. Zoe smiled broadly.
"No, Salem, he's much more than a new friend. He's your father.." She said softly, watching Salem's reaction. Salem studied for another moment, and then smiled brightly.
"My daddy?"
"Your daddy." Zoe grinned and replied. Carefully, Salem stood up and walked over to Dante, smiling up at him.
"Hi daddy." She said simply, and reached out her arms to be picked up. After a moment Dante realized what her actions meant, and stooped down, hoisting his daughter into his eyes for the first time. The bond between them was already obvious, and it only grew deeper and stronger as Salem and Dante spent the afternoon and evening together. By the time Zoe was putting Salem to bed, it seemed as if Dante had not left at all. Dante smiled and watched from the doorway as Zoe tucked a sleeping Salem into her bed, tucking her doll under her small arms. She kissed her daughter's forehead and stood up, closing the door to the small side room partially. Dante smiled and put his arms around Zoe, holding her close. Neither person talked for a long time. Finally, Dante loosened his hold and look down at Zoe, stroking her hair gently. She smiled, and let Dante lead her to the bed, where they both sat down, Dante's arms still wrapped around her, one stroking her hair.
"You're so different.." He told her. Zoe shifted her head slightly so she could look up into his face.
"Am I?" Dante nodded.
"You are. You've matured, in all senses of the word, and your hair is blonde again, and motherhood's taken its effect," he paused, laughing slightly. "And now I am an old man, far too old for you."
"You're not old." She said, and kissed him. He kissed back, deepening the kiss, his arms tightening around her slim body. His hands reaches for her dress ties, and she didn't stop him.
Later that night, Zoe and Dante lay in bed together, the thin sheets and blankets the only thing covering them. Zoe lazily traced the scars on Dante's chest and arms, smiling as he kissed her fingers when they were close enough to his mouth to do so. They fell asleep in one another's arms. t one point, neither new exactly when, Salem had crawled into bed between them, falling back asleep. Finally Zoe had gotten what she wanted out of life, and now things were perfect.
