Blue Violet

chapter 37



Ellie was shocked at how quickly life returned to normal. She, Lila, Adelaide, and Nate all returned to school. They spent time with their friends, going to movies and studying in the library. Alex had taken off the full semester of college and continued to work for Hugh in his law firm. Ellie, Adelaide, and Nate would be graduating soon, but Lila still had one more year left.

The Jenners and Pierces moved back into their homes, except for Alex. Her house had never felt so empty. They really didn’t spend much time there anymore. They preferred instead to fly over to the others in the evenings, only returning to their home to sleep and dress. Alex went where Ellie went and vice versa.

In the evenings they would often discuss their plans for the future. Ramsey had decided that with his power now under control, he wanted to try going to school. They decided the best option was for him to start as a senior in high school in the fall, joining Lila. Alex planned to go to college but was considering transferring, and Ellie decided to join him wherever he went.

Griffin seemed to be the only one who didn’t seem to care about making plans. Ellie surreptitiously watched her brother with growing concern. He continually blocked his thoughts from her, which wasn’t like him. Although he tried to behave normally, Ellie could tell something was up. No one else had noticed. They just didn’t know Griffin as well as she did. When questioned about his future, he said simply that he would be quite happy to just stay with Hugh and Lucy since Alex and Ellie would both be away at school.

So Ellie kept her worries to herself. Griffin would talk to her when he was ready.

“Ellie,” Lucy called up the stairs. “Are you ready to go? We don’t want to be late!”

“Coming!”

Taking one last look in the mirror, she patted her hair into place. She grabbed her mortarboard off the vanity and rushed down the stairs, her face aglow.

Today was her high school graduation. She had a role to play for the rest of the world so that she and her Svatura family didn’t have to live as outcasts but could be a part of society. She’d never been through a graduation ceremony before.

They were all waiting down by the living room, and Ellie struck a pose as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh, very fashionable,” Adelaide said, tongue-in-cheek. They all laughed.

They piled into their cars and headed for the football stadium where the ceremony would be held. The weather dawned clear and bright and glorious for the occasion. Crisp blue skies and the warmth of the sun shining down on them, despite the chill in the air.

Ellie, sitting alphabetically with the other graduates, tried to soak in every part of the event. As she crossed the field to accept her diploma, her family all cheered for her, Griffin and Alex cheering the loudest. And then cheered herself as Adelaide and then Nate received their own diplomas.

Her eyes filled with tears with the love that swelled up in her. And then she whooped wildly with the rest of the students as they all threw their caps into the air. She went around hugging her friends, people she would most likely not see again. She gave especially big hugs to Jill and Brian and Juliette. She’d never had “normal” friends before, but thanks to them she did.

After the ceremony concluded, she rode with Griffin and Alex back to the Jenners’ house, still amped up from her day. They’d decided to have a private celebratory dinner together at home.

As she got out of the car, Alex held her back. “I just wanted one second alone with you because I know we won’t get another chance for the rest of the night.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms up around his neck. Standing on tip toe, she placed a lingering kiss on his mouth.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said when they came up for air.

“For graduating from high school?” she teased.

“For so many things. But tonight, yes, for graduating from high school. You managed to do it while saving my family from a force that should have terrified you. And you saved them bravely and unwaveringly.”

Ellie’s eyes filled with tears. “I did it for love,” she whispered.

Giving her another soft kiss, he grabbed her hand and turned them toward the door. “Come on, graduate. They’re waiting for us.”

Ellie walked in, Alex right behind her. All the lights were off. Frowning slightly, she took a few more tentative steps. She saw hundreds of candles lining the hallway, illuminating a blanket of rose petals scattered along the floor. Simply beautiful.

She glanced uncertainly over her shoulder at Alex, who just shrugged. “Let’s keep going and see what they’re up to,” he said vaguely.

She followed the trail of candles and petals, past the kitchen and dining room and into the living room to the scenic windows. The room was covered in candles and rose petals.

Everyone stood there smiling.

“What’s this all about?”

“Why don’t you turn around and find out,” Griffin suggested, a wide grin breaking across his face.

She turned to see Alex down on one knee before her, a gorgeous diamond ring held in his hand, sparkling in the candlelight.

Ellie gasped, tears rushing to her eyes.

“We are te’sorthene. You are the other half of my soul. I’ve waited more than a century for you and find that I cannot wait another moment longer. Would you do me the great honor of marrying me?” Alex said simply. He might have said more, but he was clearly choking up.

Ellie flung herself into his arms, nearly toppling them both over as she cried, “Yes, of course I will marry you!” She was rewarded with a deep kiss.

Alex slipped the ring over her finger and helped her to stand up. He pulled her back into his arms, expelling a pent up breath.

She gazed at him, love shining clearly in her eyes.

“Were you worried about my answer?” she teased. She pulled back to take both his hands in hers.

“I was only worried that you would think the timing was too soon.” He grinned, letting go of one of her hands to rub the back of his neck.

“It may appear that way to the rest of the world,” she told him softly, recapturing his fingers and then bringing both his hands up to her lips where she lightly kissed them. “But you and I know how long we’ve been in this world. And how rare a thing our finding each other truly is. Why would I want to wait? How could I?”

Alex laughed, utter joy in the sound. He picked her up and spun her around the room. And then they were surrounded by their family, kissing them, congratulating them. Even Griffin looked thrilled, which made Ellie very happy. They’d had only each other for so long.

“Will you give me away?” she asked him softly.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Do you even have to ask?” he whispered as a tear gathered in the corner of his eye. He glanced down, blinking.

After enjoying a lovely dinner, they all retreated to the living room to talk and start planning the wedding. Ellie stood back observing the scene. In just a few short months, her entire world had changed in ways she could never have imagined.

She felt Alex’s arms steal around her from behind. “Happy, baby?” he murmured in her ear.

She gave a contentedly blissful sigh. “Happier than I’ve ever been….ever thought I could be. I’m so lucky.”

She turned in his arms and gave him a kiss that spoke of her love, and her happiness, and her hope for their future.

*****

Griffin watched his twin. She glowed with a radiant delight that lit her up from within. And he couldn’t have been more overjoyed for her. At the same time, though, he’d never felt more completely alone than in this moment. Ellie had found her te’sorthene. But what she didn’t know, what none of them knew, was that Griffin had found his as well. A silver-haired angel who’d appeared to him in so many dreams he’d lost count. A Vyusher. One of the Vyusher responsible for killing almost everyone he’d ever loved. And he could never have her. Fate apparently had it in for him. To make the potential source of his greatest happiness also the source of the worst event of his life was just cruel. Bitterness seeped into his being, and darkness threatened to crush his very soul.

Griffin turned away from his tormented thoughts and joined in the celebration, refusing to contemplate the future further. It held no promise for him now.