Adam's face darkened with anger when he heard of the council's plans for Keelan and he nodded. "We'll be right behind you. Where do you want him set up?"
"In his own room," Aiden answered.
Ryuu stepped forward. "When you get to the estate let me know, I will do all I can to help."
Aiden looked at the squire with a sour expression. "And where were you when my mate was shooting ferals with a damn sniper rifle?" he demanded, exhaustion adding a bite to his words.
Ryuu gave him a flat look. "Holding her ammunition."
Aiden growled again in frustration. "Let's go home!"
They ended up taking two SUVs back to the Alpha estate. Darian held Amelia's hand tightly as everything suddenly seemed to catch up to her. Once back home, the couples separated, each heading to their own suite to mourn Keelan's loss and recover from the previous day's traumatic events.
Darian led her up the stairs to their room. He opened the door, and she walked inside.
"This is the first time I've been in here since becoming your mate." So much had happened in just a few days.
"Blessed Imbolc," he whispered, walking up to wrap his arms tightly around her. She leaned her head back to rest on his chest.
"I don't feel very blessed. Keelan..."
"Is alive. As long as he's breathing, there is hope."
"It's not the same. He won't be at the dining room table scared of Meryn or giving me a thumbs up." Amelia let her tears drop.
She felt Darian's shuddering breath. "We'll have to remember everything that happens so we can tell him when he's back."
Amelia held his hands where they were clasped together at her waist. "You're right. He's not gone, just not here right now." She turned to face him and wiped her eyes. She looked up into his lavender eyes as an idea began to form. "Let's get everyone together."
Darian's expression was doubtful. "I think everyone needs time alone right now."
Amelia shook her head. "Get everyone together and tell them to leave their lights on. I need to find Ryuu!" She jumped up, grazed his chin with a kiss, and ran out the door and down the stairs.
"Ryuu," she called.
Ryuu stepped into the foyer from the front room. "Yes, itoko-sama?"
"We need candles, lots of candles! It's Imbolc!" she decreed. She felt a burst of energy that she was sure came from being completely overwhelmed but she didn't care.
Smiling, Ryuu bowed. "Of course, that's a wonderful idea." He hurried away as everyone started coming downstairs looking puzzled.
"Did you leave your lights on?" she asked the group.
Everyone nodded, but she saw that Rheia and Meryn looked confused.
She walked over to Meryn as Ryuu began passing out the candles. "Imbolc or what is sometimes called Candlemas, is a celebration of light. It marks the passing of winter to spring and the rebirth of the sun. We turn on all the lights of the house and light candles to welcome the warmth of the summer." She turned to the group. "I know that it's not easy to feel cheerful right now, and that's okay, but I thought that if we light up the Alpha Estate, maybe Keelan could find his way home easier."
Around her, a little at first, everyone began to smile. "Me, too! Me, too!" Penny said jumping up and down. Ryuu handed her a flameless LED tea light. Everyone eagerly started lighting the candles.
"We'll keep one light burning until he comes home," Aiden said, tears in his eyes.
Darian stood behind her. He leaned down and whispered. "You're my light, my savior." He pointed to the group. "Only you could draw people out of their pain like this."
She turned her face to look up at him. "In my darkest moment, you came to me like a golden angel. You're my prince and my own savior."
Amelia turned back and looked around their small circle. Everyone held their lit candles and took comfort in each other's company. As a family, they held vigil for the one who was missing among them, the fallen warrior that had sacrificed so much so that they could live.
EPILOGUE
Later that evening, everyone had retired to the front family room. After their candlelight vigil, it had felt too lonely to separate. In the background, cartoons played as Jaxon colored with Penny.
Aiden looked up from the latest copy of the The Observer. Daphne Bowers had had a vaginoplasty! What was their world coming to? He heard the front door open and close. A bit of movement caught his eye, and he looked up to see a very guilty-looking Noah dart past the doorway with something large tucked under his arm.
"Aiden..." Gavriel murmured.
Aiden sighed. "I saw." He was especially aware that his mate was nowhere to be seen.
A few minutes later, Noah walked into the room and headed straight for Jaxon. He sat down, picked up a crayon, and began coloring as if his life depended on it.
Aiden set his paper down and crossed his arms over his chest. He faced the doorway and waited.
What in the hell is she up to now?
He didn't have to wait long. Seconds later, Meryn strolled by the doorway trying to look casual, too casual. Under her arm was a large wooden board.
"Meryn," Aiden called. His mate stopped in her tracks.
She turned and smiled brightly. "Yes?"
"What do you have?"
"A Ouija board." She turned as if to keep walking.
Aiden frowned. "What are you doing with a Ouija board?"