Chapter 20

Sookie:

As we all gathered to step through the portal, Orion decided that his herd of Pegasus would be going with us. The unicorns also decided to make the journey. Both species are fiercely protective of the people whom they connect with.

I have offered sanctuary in Avalon for them all. I opened another portal to Avalon, and the unicorns stomped in as the Pegasus flew through portals.

Arya is impatient to leave since she has her memories back, and Aryk has shown the rest of the kids their memories of their previous lives—his and Arya's, As well as my memories and Eric's.

Aryk has always been like his father. Protective, intelligent, and brave. I should have paid more attention to his slip-ups so I would have known he was born with his memory intact. I was too busy being happy to have them back.

Now, I watch as they all come to full power and realize they hold even more power. Still, I'm not too fond of the fact that the children will face Morgana.

I think that it's because I already bested her once.

As we went through the portal, I watched the Pegasus disappear into the clouds and the unicorn vanish into the forest.

I watch the kids pop away to Arya, who must have found Morgana by now. Then, the thoughts of Bobby Burnham ring through my mind.

"What have you done?" I scream in horror, yet to my surprise, Astrid comes forward and has seen what I have just heard from his thoughts.

I am appalled that he would hand over Lucien to that evil bitch, just because he has developed feelings for my husband.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" her voice booms, and lightning strikes as her eyes turn pale blue. She has unlocked another power that was born from injustice. "My sister will suffer no longer," she says as she mounts Orion and takes to the skies.

Within thirty minutes, Aryk appears with Fintan in chains. He smiles and kisses my head before he pops away with Eric holding the chains.

I can feel the glee and can see all of the ways he wants to torment the man who killed our firstborn.

Niall steps forward with a look that shows he's made a decision, and I can feel how much sorrow he feels for what he is about to do.

I also see Uncle Dermot as he steers quietly into the room.

Watching and waiting with sorrow pouring out of his body, I see Fintan shed a tear.

Niall says the incantation that strips Fintan's magic away, much to Fintan's shock. "Father, what have you done?" Fintan growls at Niall before he glances at Jason and me with a questioning gaze.

You have kept my kin from me, and you had your brother spelled, causing discord not only to your kin but also to your race and kingdom. "I have taken your power, henceforth making you essentially human," Niall says with sadness.

"I only came to see my grandchildren," Fintan growls in annoyance as if he had any right!

Jason steps forward angrily, letting lighting dance across his fingertips and eyes. "You ain't no kin to me or my sister, you sorry sumbitch!" he bellows.

I see Fintan's eyes widen as he looks from me to Jason. "We know all about you," Jason says with disgust. You used my gran and left her to fend for herself after our real grandpa passed away!"

"You are not Mitchell Stackhouse," Jason said as he stared at Fintan. "After all you have done, I am grateful I look like my Uncle Dermot." Jason sneers at Fintan and his eyes widen as he recognizes his brother is present.

Fintan keeps trying to get my attention, and Jason steps in front of him and punches his face. "You don't even get to look at my sister."

"Merlin," I say without glancing at Fintan at all.

"Yes, majesty?" he replies as I hear Fintan's thoughts, and he realizes that I am Aslynn Pendragon because of Merlin. Just as I planned, I will let him show his true colors.

"Make sure to collect his magic from Niall," I say as Fintan gasps. "Majesty, I am only here to see my kin," he begins to scheme as expected.

"Your kin has cut you from the bloodline for treason," I say in a bored tone as I look at the ceiling to avoid looking at his stupid, treacherous face. "Merlin, I don't have all day for this viper, so return his memories, and he should know that grandfather is more forgiving than I am," I say as I see Fintan's head swing quickly. He studies me, Jason, and realizes who we are.

Merlin touches his head before he can speak, and he is shown all of his transgressions. At first, he was confused, and then I saw his thoughts hadn't changed even after remembering all of the wrongs he had done.

He knew that he was killing his grandson and not Eric, I realize as my stomach sickens!

I projected his thoughts to everyone assembled. Eric stepped forward, filled with simmering rage.

"You killed your kin and will stay away from my wife and my children," Eric demands.

"As king of Avalon, I sentence you to death," I hear Erics lie through the bond. "Take him to a cell," Eric says as he tosses Fintan to Merlin as they shimmer away.

Just as I am about to look around Valhalla, I hear the ground rumbling and the word "mate."

Great!!!

What now?

As I pop to the gate, I see Finrir, and it appears that Astrid is his long-lost mate. I had heard the stories since my soul shattered, which gave me hope, but seeing that Astrid is the newest incarnation of Fenrir's mate makes me worry because it will always end brutally until the curse is one day broken.

I feel Eric's shock that Fenrir is here and the sorrow of letting go of his little girl.

The way Astrid staked her claim on the great wolf Fenrir was like watching an angelic, shy, and humble person suddenly show another personality trait. My sweet girl is just like her father.

I stood aside to comfort Eric when Pam suddenly busted out laughing and said in a thoughtful yet condescending tone, "I wonder if my sister will have puppies?". I could hear laughter from all the children and Eric's sudden disgust as he slid his gaze to me in shame.

"You better get your shit together," I whisper only loud enough for him to hear me. Our daughter has found her fated mate; more than most, ERIC should understand that fact!

Since both Arya and Astrid were locked up completing the mating process, we decided to look at any progress, and I was impressed with the expansion of Valhalla. The rock wall had expanded as the property grew.

The warding was impenetrable. Every pantheon had built hotels for dwellings around the property, and there was also housing for shifters. I am impressed.

I can't believe it's only been a week compared to our hundred years away in the fae realm.

There are schools, Amy's hospital, and a park for children to play. I also see a school that was built during our absence. I hadn't even thought about it.

I saw that all the paths and roads are now paved with the rocks we used for the walkways.

The lake is stocked with fish that are jumping in the water.

New trees have grown to adulthood thanks to fairy magic throughout the property. The wisteria trees lining the walkways are beautiful and match the houses beautifully. Japanese Cherry Blossom trees line the walls of Valhalla. Everything is stunning.

I grabbed Eric's hand, and we flew above Valhalla.

The sun was setting, and we were just below the cloud barrier.

Our sanctuary is beautiful. We were especially pleased to see the solar lights and fairy lights come on at the same time.

"It looks like the daytime, Sookie," Eric says in awe, and I see Jason with Pam in his arms floating up to me.

"I wanted Valhalla to have solar lights for the walkways so humans can see even though it is so dark outside," I explain.

"This is beautiful," everyone agrees as we look down below.

I see pack houses resembling hotels and apartment buildings with the shifter symbols above each doorway.

All of this work was accomplished within a week. A community has been created for everyone.

I touch the ground, surrounded by Eric, Pam, and Jason. Our plans have come along wonderfully and quickly.

"When can we set up our rooms?" Raven and Rhiannon asked. "Go ahead," I say as I watch my nieces walk past everyone, stopping only to hug Karin, Merlin, and the fey kin we have in residence.

Karin was surprised.

"They know you are also their sister," I explain, and she nods in understanding.

"I will deal with Fintan's ass later," I say with exhaustion: the houses, the castle, and the hotels for the many deities. We have gardens and greenhouses so that we can eat during the winter.

Everyone heard the commotion and came out to the front of the castle—Aryk, Arthur, Alexander, Andrew, Guinevere, Rhiannon, and Raven all stepped forward.

"They are ready," I hear Merlin say just as they all hold hands and wait for whatever is about to happen. I made Astrid and Arya come out for whatever was about to happen, and I could feel it coming.

"Kneel," Merlin tells them, and they do.

As they kneel, the sky rumbles, and lightning strikes the ground. The ground rumbles, and I feel a sense of calm. I looked where the lightning had struck, and there stood a beautiful winged man wearing his sword and armor made of gold.

With a voice that couldn't be denied came from the heavens. "Step aside, wizard," the man said.

"I knight my soldiers, for I am the commander of the army of the most high."

"You are Michael, aren't you?" I ask as he nods yes.

"Kneel," he instructs the kids (they will always be kids to me). I watch as he takes out his sword, taps each shoulder and head, and asks them to repeat the eternal vow to protect humanity.

They all just became Celestial Soldiers, and we all got to watch.

I watch Michael, "Your Highness," he says as he approaches me and instructs me to kneel. I've now taken the vows and feel like I am about to receive bad news when he says aloud, "That's because the message is bad."

"Be careful who you offer sanctuary to." He replies cryptically. "Not all that come in sheep's clothing are sheep."

"Restore the balance." He replies and vanishes into thin air.

Great!

Another cryptic mission. I think the vacation is over. I notice Pam looking for Karin in hopes of pissing her off because she's already given birth.

I laughed harder than Eric when I saw Karin holding a baby girl and a boy. "Vampires only stay pregnant with a child for a week. You just missed the birth last night."

"The doctor now curses the deities for the trouble they caused. She is still delivering babies and had to bring all her students and staff." Karin informed me.

"I'm surprised she hasn't smacked them," Jason said.

"Sophie Anne had a hard time with her birth experience and is currently resting," Merlin informs me.

"I will check on her soon," I reply.

Pam is pouting nearby because Karin is already back in fighting shape. Her son Tristan is beautiful, and I can't wait to see him as an adult.

I suppose Lucien must be happy with his brother's name.

I can only hope that the children find good mates and abundant happiness.

"Michael informed me of traitors among us, find them and treat them accordingly," I said to Merlin through the mind link.

He gave a slight nod as Karin instinctively grabbed her sword hilt.

If trouble has arrived, we will be ready.