Episode 16 Part One

Marcus's favourite pop band couldn't keep his spirits high. As he dressed, he thought about everything he had learnt. The fact he was carrying a vampire disease. The true reason many of the children he sired were culled. The fact that his father and brother had been lying to him for centuries. Then he thought of Aurora, how his fears of his family's long-guarded secret would put her in danger. Walking away from her was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. He thought he was protecting her. But instead, he had caused her such agonising heartbreak. Both to her and himself.

Ding. Dong. The doorbell disturbed his lamenting silence. He walked down slowly. Ding! Dong! Ding Dong!" "All right! I'm coming!" he marched up to the door, turned the handle and pulled it open.

Jason stood outside arms crossed.

"Did Miriam send you?"

"No. I sent myself," Jason shot in a blur through the door before it could be shut an inch. He marched to the kitchen and took a seat. "I know that you're mad at my mother and your family. Your father and brother were just trying…"

"To protect me," finished Marcus in a snappy voice. "I've heard that downplaying excuse from Ysabeau. I had a right to know,"

"Phillipe wanted blood rage eradicated. To prevent humans from discovering our existence. To protect Ysabeau's secret. So he used Matthew as his assassin,"

"Well then why didn't he kill Tom? Or me?"

"Your father couldn't bear to kill him because he loved him too much. And that's the same reason why he kept you alive. You should by now he loves you both more than you realise,"

"They lied to me," Marcus's voice broke. "You all did. And you and Miriam didn't say anything,"

"It wasn't our right to tell," Jason reasoned. "Tom begged Matthew many times for him to tell the truth. But he kept quiet because he wanted to do what was best for you. And with Matthew in the past, he felt like he had no choice. He told you the truth even though he knew you would push him away,"

Marcus was silent for a sec, still staring out through the window at a plain unemotional sky. "You know I'm done with all this. This is great actually. It's helped me realise what's really important to me. My human friends. My work. My human life,"

"And what about Aurora?" Jason brought up. Marcus turned his back. "Don't turn your back on me. You love her. Don't let this secret get between you two,"

"We can't be together. I would only put her in danger,"

"You think she cares about that? The only thing that's tearing your love apart is you. Not this secret. You walking away from her means you're neglecting the promise that you made to her sister,"

Marcus still wouldn't listen to him. But the cold shoulder couldn't hide his heartbroken expression.

"Just remember that," Jason stood up slowly and left the house.

For the next few hours, Marcus didn't move from that spot. He remained where he was, recapping Jason's words in his head over and over again like a melody of hard memories. When he tilted his head, just a little slightly, he saw the un-melted ice flower Aurora had placed inside his lapel, the day they dined together. He picked it up, gazing at its remarkable cold colours. As he looked into the shimmery surface, he saw Aurora's face. He gasped and the flower slipped through his fingers. It landed on the floor, shattering to pieces.

Marcus gasped, haphazardly. Quickly he grabbed his phone and EarPods and walked out, locking the door. He walked around the corner to his favourite park. So many humans. He went for a walk, hoping to clear his head. He tried to focus on the lyrics but he felt his ears capturing the sound waves of cheers and giggles and pecking lips. It overcomes his conscious. His eyes captured glimpses of families and people in love. In an instant, he was under pressure. Seeing all that love and joy made his heartbeat accelerate. He could feel Aurora calling out to him, begging him to return to her. He left the park in a flash. Just as he turned around the corner, he saw someone waiting for him.

Thomas stood next to his parked car, looking anxiously over at his brother.

Marcus stared distastefully at his brother. "You shouldn't be here,"

"I know I am the last man you want to talk to. But it's gonna take more than a secret to keep us apart," Thomas would not give up no matter how much Marcus wouldn't stay anything. He approached him slowly. "All I've ever wanted was to protect you. I begged our father for years to tell you. When Ysabeau told me to keep my promise that I wouldn't tell you even if Gerbert threatened us I broke it because I knew you had a right to know," Marcus's anger turned to a simple tear feeling the love that Thomas was expressing to him through his words of apology. "You don't have to forgive me but don't let this come between you and Aurora. Or what we both promised father we'd do. I can't lead the knights against the Congregation without you,"

"Aurora won't want me back now. I left her," breathed his brother dejectedly.

"That's not true," It wasn't Thomas who said that.

Marcus felt his heartbeat accelerate in seconds. His entire body flooded with joy but shock too. He smelt frost. Turning around Aurora stood only five meters away from him. He gazed at her with wet eyes which enchanted him. He wondered if all that enchantment he felt only minutes ago was the effects of her looking out to him as she was waiting nearby.

"Marcus I don't care what you're carrying. I don't care if this puts me in more danger," Aurora spoke out to the heartfelt vampire she loved with all the love that sparked in her heart as the presence of Marcus ignited its cold flames. "No matter what you are or how much you try to push me away…I love you," An icy tear leaked from her eye and rained from her pale cheek and collided with the ground.

Marcus was speechless. He wanted to hold back but he felt his heart burning with love as he repeated every pace, rhythm, and syllable in those words. She would never walk away. She would never stop loving him And neither would he. He approached her slowly until they were only one meter apart. "If I do this, there's no turning back. You have to understand what that means,"

"Thomas made me understand. Tell me," the beseeching in her big wet eyes made Marcus raise his palm. She pressed her fingertips to his. Thomas stood back to give them space. Aurora felt the cycle of romance blossoming over again. She felt she was back at Sept Tour, in the same spot where Diana and Matthew stood as they started the process of mating upon committing their love.

"From this moment, we will always be one," Marcus intertwined their fingers together. He gazed into Aurora's shiny eyes. "Aurora…I love you," They pulled each other into a pure passionate kiss. He held her tight, vowing to never let her go again.

Thomas smiled. He had brought them back together. He turned and walked off into the park to leave them alone.

The couple strolled through Oxford, lovingly enjoying all the happiness they had felt all those days ago. Aurora told Marcus of all that had happened back at Sept Tour. How Ysabeau discovered the letter from Phillipe. How she went to that magical ruin sight outside the chateau and temporarily reunited with her sister. Marcus was amazed. When his love told him that she had told Diana what had been happening in the city, he felt tense. Matthew would know by now that he knew their secret. He was more worried about how Thomas would be reprimanded for his actions, for breaking his promise.

"l know you're mad at Tom. But he told you the truth in the end," consulted Aurora. "And in time, Matthew will understand why he did,"

That comforted Marcus a little. "What was it like? Crossing between time to see Diana again?"

"It felt…weird. Honestly, one moment I was at that ruin site. The next thing l know my mind was whooshing and all I could see was bright light around me and then she was there too," Aurora wiped a tear. "I wish it didn't have to be so brief,"

Marcus hugged her. "There. There. It's all right now. How did Ysabeau feel when she read that letter Phillipe left?"

"She's felt more peace than she has in years. It made her cry, but she was happy,"

Marcus sniffled as he saw her face tearfully smile a little. "And it's not just Phillipe who's left something behind. She reached into her bag and pulled out the ancient envelope with the name: Thomas written in slightly faded ink on the sandpaper.

Marcus looked at her, immediately getting an answer. "Argus. We have to bring this to him,"

Thomas sat in the living room with the daemons. Jason had left after he came back so he and his mother could continue working together on the lab work.

"You're certain there are knights everywhere?" a desperate Nathanial asked.

"Absolutely," promised Thomas.

"You did the right thing bringing Aurora back," said Agatha. "And you did the right thing tell your brother the truth,"

"I just hope that he can forgive me," hoped Thomas.

"He will," said Sophie reassuringly, after taking a sip of tea. "You just need to give him some more time,"

"How are you feeling Soph?"

"Won't be long now," Sophie stroked her large belly bump. "Before I was so excited, but…I've never felt more nervous than ever,"

"Everything will be all right," promised Thomas. "You'll see,"

No sooner had he said that the group heard the door open and they saw Marcus and Aurora holding hands, a couple unafraid to express their love. Aurora hugged each of her friends tightly. "It's so good to see you all,"

"I'm really glad you're here now," said Sophie joyfully. "It won't be long now and we really want you with us more than ever,"

"Well, I'm so happy to be," she smiled. "Please tell me you two have got some name preferences?"

"We do. But we're not telling you," said Nathanial straight. "You'll get your answer when she's born,"

"Why don't you and I go out for a walk together?" Sophie insisted. "Let's catch up on things,"

"No way. You should be resting. Not long now,"

"I can't keep spending all my time here. I have to get out somehow,"

"No way. You both can't go out into the open like that," Marcus refused.

"They'll be fine," Agatha reassured; she had faith in Aurora and her powers. "Besides, they could use a nice walk after being cooped inside chateaus and houses for so long,"

Nathanial wanted to disagree but he knew that his wife needed this, before going into labour. "Just don't be too long," he implored.

Aurora gave Marcus a quick kiss before she and Sophie walked outside. Marcus looked out at her happily, feeling more alive than he had felt in days. His brother and the daemons smiled out at him.

"I'm gonna get Sophie's things ready," Nathanial walked upstairs.

"I think I'll go make some coffee," Agatha walked into the kitchen.

The vampire brothers were left alone. "I don't think I'm ready to fully forgive you yet. But I want to thank you for bringing back my love," Marcus embraced Thomas who hugged him back tightly in tears.

"I know that our father will be very disappointed that I broke my promise. I just hope I did the right thing,"

Marcus slowly let go. Then he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the letter Aurora had given him to give to his brother. "Aurora found this. She would have given it to you before but she wanted it to be a 'thank you' gift for bringing us back together,"

Thomas saw his name written on that envelope. His heart dropped. Only Argus wrote such amazing calligraphy with swirls at the ends of his letters. It meant that he had learnt of the future. At least parts of it. He tried to reach forward to take it but paused. What words had he written down? How had it been for him to suffer and fear the future all these centuries since the 16th century?

"Read it brother," implored Marcus desperately. "He left this for you and only you. This is exactly what you need to move forward. Then once you do, go to Phoebe Tom. Tell her how you feel. And don't ever let her go no matter what hits you,"

Thomas took it slowly. Then Marcus walked off upstairs to leave him alone. Unfolding the long-folded piece of parchment, Thomas spent a period of time slowly reading and absorbing the final words of his beloved husband.

My dearest Tommy,

I have put all my love for you into these final words. Knowing there will come a day when we will be parted has broken my heart but knowing you will be safe and happy with your father now married to a woman who possesses the powers of a goddess has given me hope. You will always be held dear to my heart as I have before and always will. You will always be my Tommy who is my hope, faith, and strength just as I hope I will always be your 'Argie' even when I am dead.

Diana has told me how you will save her life and play a role in challenging anyone who opposes our family. And I can't say I am prouder of you and have even fallen in love with you more. I pray that she and your father will find their way back to you and everyone else and that you will all forge a better future for all those we love. Even when I am not there I will always be a part of you which leaves me one more thing to say. Don't mourn me forever. Find love again with someone who is truly deserving of your heart. Knowing you will find joy and happiness again will mean I can rest in peace having played a huge part in your life. You deserve to be someone who is equally worthy of your hand. Our love will always live on.

Forever and for always, I will hold you dear to my heart.

Love Argie,

Thomas's eyes closed and the words flowed through his systems like rivers of love and memories. The dark hollowness in his heart sparked a light and he felt so much grief disperse from his shoulders. He began to feel something that he hadn't felt in many years. Peace. Inner peace. The tears that fell from his eyes were those of joy. Argus would always be with him, watching over him. He had never truly lost him. Not in spirit. If this message was his prayer and wish for him, then he would fulfil it to honour his memory and love for him.

Thomas walked into the Auction house. He saw the same blonde-haired woman from before. "I'm here to speak to Phoebe Taylor," he requested.

"I'll take you to her,"

"No," he said quickly. "I'd like to talk with her privately. Out here,"

The manager contained her impatience. She turned around and left to get Phoebe. Thomas stared around into space, his heartbeat accelerating every second.

"Thomas…" It was Phoebe. He turned around to meet her eyes. "I'm working. You can't just turn up,"

Thomas offered her, the silky scarf she had left behind. "You left this. It feels expensive,"

She took it. "Thank you," she tried to walk away but Thomas stopped her.

"And I was telling you the truth the other night,"

"Look, if you've got another story, I've got loads of books back home," Phoebe still believed he was delusional.

"I want you to look at this," Thomas reached into his pocket and pulled out a little purse. He reached inside and pulled out a small silver amulet with runes and symbols. Phoebe took it. "This is a property of the knights of Lazarus, dating back to the 13th century. I'm one of its grandmasters,"

"And I'm Princess Leia," Phoebe pretended.

"Research it. Run your tests on it. You'll find questions and when you want answers, you'll know where I am," Thomas took one last longing glance at Phoebe before he turned around and left silently. Phoebe stared out at him, both unconvinced but absorbed by his words.

Sophie and Aurora walked in the park together, not too far away from Aurora's former accommodations with Diana. "So, you actually talked to your sister at a crosspoint between past and future?" Sophie had a mad feeling about something interdimensional happening but she kept telling herself she was going mental.

"Yeah. I told everything about what was happening. I'm so happy that she and Matthew are now married. I just wish we could have all been there for the wedding. But they needed this,"

"You found something too from Thomas's husband.

"Yes. I hope that once he's read that letter, he can finally feel more at peace,"

Sophie was silent for a second as an enchanting image came blurring in her head. "He already has. He's gone up to her. And he's given her something to look at that will give her questions that only he can answer,"

"Just as long as he can be with her. We all need love. That's the most precious gift anyone can give," Whilst Aurora looked around her, revelling at all the joy she had been feeling despite all the pain she went through as a child from losing her parents and having to say goodbye to Diana. She noticed Sophie was slowing down, pressing a hand to her belly bump. "Soph, is something wrong?"

"I think the baby's coming," said Sophie quickly. "She's not due for weeks but…" she suddenly started breathing heavily.

Aurora gasped. "Oh my gosh," She held her close. "Just hang on. We're not far from Marcus's hospital. I'll get you there quickly," Swiftly guiding her close friend about to go into labour, she fished out a phone and pressed it to her ear.

And that's the first chapter of the next episode done. I hope you all enjoyed the reunion between Marcus and Aurora. Thomas has finally found peace and Argus wants him to be happy with someone who deserves his love. See you all soon.