p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"They held a funeral for Angelina a few days later. Luxa made arrangements for an outdoor funeral. It was a small gathering, including only Gregor, his family, Luxa Hazard, and Aurora. And a few underlander to help with the ceremony. Everyone was seated on heavy metal chairs sitting in side by side. Her body lay on a table up front. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" A group of musicians began playing a slow, mournful melody. The music made the hair on the back of Gregor's neck stood up, and yet it was not unpleasant. It spoke very clearly of loss and despair. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" A sharp pain rose in Gregor's throat: For a moment, the strange music and knowledge that Angelina's body was so close seem to take all the warmth from the day. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" A little tufty-haired man in plain black robes had gotten to his feet and stood now in front of Angelina's body. He spoke for a few moments about the gift of life, before asking everyone present to say a few words. When it came to Gregor's turn he wasn't sure what to say, so he just said, "Angelina was the best friend anyone could have; she will be missed." Even this single sentence seemed to draw something from Gregor. He slumped back into his chair, and his mom gave his hand a gentle squeeze. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Two underlanders dropped flaming torches onto the pile of oil-soaked wood. Bright white flames erupted around her body and the table on which it lay: higher and higher they rose, obscuring the body. Pale gray smoke spiraled into the air and made strange shapes: Gregor thought for one heart-stopping moment, that he saw the shape of a bat fly into the blue flames: Ares. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" It didn't take long for the flames to engulf her body. In a few minutes, all that remained of his friend was a gently smoldering pile of ashes. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" After the funeral ended, Gregor walked outside to the crowded courtyard and leaned against a stone pillar. He stayed there for almost half an hour before Luxa found him./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Gregor took Luxa's hand as she guided him through the crowds. She led him through hallways and upstairs until they reached what Gregor recognized as Luxa's living quarters. They walked inside, hand in hand. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "I was thinking," said Luxa, "If your family was interested, they would be welcome to stay here. I have far too much room for Hazard and myself. And that way we can be sure of seeing each other each day."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Oh right," thought Gregor. They had to stay. Forever! Which sounded like a long time to him... But when he searched his feelings, he realized he wouldn't want it any other way. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Gregor? Are you okay?" asked Luxa. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Wha— Oh, yeah." said Gregor, "Sounds good I guess." He hadn't even thought of the practical elements of living in the Underland. They'd need a place to stay. Well, now they could live with Luxa, /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "I haven't been in this room for several years; not since my parents' death." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "So this is your room? I always thought you lived in there," said Gregor, motioning to the adjacent room. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "No. However I have been living here with Hazard these past months." Gregor noticed a framed picture sitting atop a small bureau of drawers. It was a black and white watercolor painting of a man and a woman. They looked vaguely familiar to him. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Were these your parents?" He asked Luxa, nodding at the picture. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Yes," said Luxa, "That was painted a few days before my mother's birthday. There was to be a celebration but..." A shadow seemed to fall over her face. Gregor regretted bringing the subject up. Of course, it would upset her. If his parents were dead it would upset him. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Nice room," mumbled Gregor. She ignored this. He didn't blame her. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "It must be cool living in here," he said. She ignored this as well. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" And then she did something unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome: she kissed him. Not a peck. A real kiss on the lips. The feel of her mouth, soft warm, and supple against his own, sent sensations surging through his body. Rather than pulling back, Gregor held her even tighter. The taste and touch of her made his head spin. But in a good way. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" When they finally broke apart, Gregor drew a deep breath, as though surfacing from the depths of a lake. Luxa's eyes fluttered open, and the look in her eyes matched his own. They simultaneously leaned together for another kiss, when a quiet coughing startled them. Gregor turned to see Howard standing in the doorway, looking unhappy, to say the least. Gregor remembered the talk he and Howard had a few months ago, about how queens were off-limits to him. Gregor quickly moved away from Luxa. Gregor could tell Howard wanted to give him a stern talking to, however, he seemed to content himself by shooting Gregor a look that said quite plainly, "Well, if you must then." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Your Highness," said Howard, now directing his attention to Luxa, "Your presence is requested by the council." Luxa quickly left the room. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Boy can Howard kill a mood," thought Gregor grouchily. Howard was probably furious about him kissing Luxa, but he let it be. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Gregor didn't see Luxa for most of the day. He did, however, talk to his parents about living in the Underland. It didn't take long to convince his dad. His mom was more reluctant at first, but eventually, he managed to convince her to a "trial run". Gregor thought both Boots and Lizzie clinging to her skirt and begging, "Please! Please! Please!" might have been a contributing factor. It was a moot point anyway; they had to stay, there was no other option, and Gregor thought his mom must realize this. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Gregor didn't see Luxa until that evening when he walked into her apartment complex of rooms where she lived, to show his family their new home. His mom and he got his sisters to bed together. They made sure Boots peed once more before bed so she wouldn't wet the bed. And everyone brushed their teeth in the spacious bathroom. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Luxa had given them their choice of rooms and Gregor had gone with a small room next to Luxa's. She had shown him a secret entrance between the rooms. His dad and mom were sleeping together in a room adjacent to his sisters' so they would be right there if Boots or Lizzie needed something in the night. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" And as Gregor settle down for the night in a fluffy gray bed covered in warm blankets, Gregor glanced around the room, studying the bed, table, and set of drawers. "Well," he thought, "I guess this is home..." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strongspan style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Alright, guys. This is the final chapter. Let me know what you think!/span/strong/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" A group of musicians began playing a slow, mournful melody. The music made the hair on the back of Gregor's neck stood up, and yet it was not unpleasant. It spoke very clearly of loss and despair. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" A sharp pain rose in Gregor's throat: For a moment, the strange music and knowledge that Angelina's body was so close seem to take all the warmth from the day. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" A little tufty-haired man in plain black robes had gotten to his feet and stood now in front of Angelina's body. He spoke for a few moments about the gift of life, before asking everyone present to say a few words. When it came to Gregor's turn he wasn't sure what to say, so he just said, "Angelina was the best friend anyone could have; she will be missed." Even this single sentence seemed to draw something from Gregor. He slumped back into his chair, and his mom gave his hand a gentle squeeze. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Two underlanders dropped flaming torches onto the pile of oil-soaked wood. Bright white flames erupted around her body and the table on which it lay: higher and higher they rose, obscuring the body. Pale gray smoke spiraled into the air and made strange shapes: Gregor thought for one heart-stopping moment, that he saw the shape of a bat fly into the blue flames: Ares. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" It didn't take long for the flames to engulf her body. In a few minutes, all that remained of his friend was a gently smoldering pile of ashes. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" After the funeral ended, Gregor walked outside to the crowded courtyard and leaned against a stone pillar. He stayed there for almost half an hour before Luxa found him./span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Gregor took Luxa's hand as she guided him through the crowds. She led him through hallways and upstairs until they reached what Gregor recognized as Luxa's living quarters. They walked inside, hand in hand. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "I was thinking," said Luxa, "If your family was interested, they would be welcome to stay here. I have far too much room for Hazard and myself. And that way we can be sure of seeing each other each day."/span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true""Oh right," thought Gregor. They had to stay. Forever! Which sounded like a long time to him... But when he searched his feelings, he realized he wouldn't want it any other way. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Gregor? Are you okay?" asked Luxa. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Wha— Oh, yeah." said Gregor, "Sounds good I guess." He hadn't even thought of the practical elements of living in the Underland. They'd need a place to stay. Well, now they could live with Luxa, /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "I haven't been in this room for several years; not since my parents' death." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "So this is your room? I always thought you lived in there," said Gregor, motioning to the adjacent room. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "No. However I have been living here with Hazard these past months." Gregor noticed a framed picture sitting atop a small bureau of drawers. It was a black and white watercolor painting of a man and a woman. They looked vaguely familiar to him. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Were these your parents?" He asked Luxa, nodding at the picture. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Yes," said Luxa, "That was painted a few days before my mother's birthday. There was to be a celebration but..." A shadow seemed to fall over her face. Gregor regretted bringing the subject up. Of course, it would upset her. If his parents were dead it would upset him. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Nice room," mumbled Gregor. She ignored this. He didn't blame her. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "It must be cool living in here," he said. She ignored this as well. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" And then she did something unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome: she kissed him. Not a peck. A real kiss on the lips. The feel of her mouth, soft warm, and supple against his own, sent sensations surging through his body. Rather than pulling back, Gregor held her even tighter. The taste and touch of her made his head spin. But in a good way. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" When they finally broke apart, Gregor drew a deep breath, as though surfacing from the depths of a lake. Luxa's eyes fluttered open, and the look in her eyes matched his own. They simultaneously leaned together for another kiss, when a quiet coughing startled them. Gregor turned to see Howard standing in the doorway, looking unhappy, to say the least. Gregor remembered the talk he and Howard had a few months ago, about how queens were off-limits to him. Gregor quickly moved away from Luxa. Gregor could tell Howard wanted to give him a stern talking to, however, he seemed to content himself by shooting Gregor a look that said quite plainly, "Well, if you must then." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Your Highness," said Howard, now directing his attention to Luxa, "Your presence is requested by the council." Luxa quickly left the room. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" "Boy can Howard kill a mood," thought Gregor grouchily. Howard was probably furious about him kissing Luxa, but he let it be. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Gregor didn't see Luxa for most of the day. He did, however, talk to his parents about living in the Underland. It didn't take long to convince his dad. His mom was more reluctant at first, but eventually, he managed to convince her to a "trial run". Gregor thought both Boots and Lizzie clinging to her skirt and begging, "Please! Please! Please!" might have been a contributing factor. It was a moot point anyway; they had to stay, there was no other option, and Gregor thought his mom must realize this. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Gregor didn't see Luxa until that evening when he walked into her apartment complex of rooms where she lived, to show his family their new home. His mom and he got his sisters to bed together. They made sure Boots peed once more before bed so she wouldn't wet the bed. And everyone brushed their teeth in the spacious bathroom. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" Luxa had given them their choice of rooms and Gregor had gone with a small room next to Luxa's. She had shown him a secret entrance between the rooms. His dad and mom were sleeping together in a room adjacent to his sisters' so they would be right there if Boots or Lizzie needed something in the night. /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true" And as Gregor settle down for the night in a fluffy gray bed covered in warm blankets, Gregor glanced around the room, studying the bed, table, and set of drawers. "Well," he thought, "I guess this is home..." /span/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strongspan style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true"Alright, guys. This is the final chapter. Let me know what you think!/span/strong/p