Goddess Of Shendhea

End

After I could breathe almost normally again, and the tears had run their course, I sniffled and pulled myself up from Julius's embrace. I was so relieved to see his handsome face was unscathed. I subconsciously raised my hand to caress his cheek. "How did this happen?" I asked him, "I thought you were..." I couldn't bring myself to say it. "Hey, I'm here now, no worrying about that." he told me, squeezing my hand that rest on his cheek. "To be honest though, I'm not really sure how it happened. I thought for sure it was the end for me. I've never felt that much pain in my life.." he explained, in thought, before noticing the look on my face and adding with a nervous scratch of his back, "b-but I feel perfect now, so don't worry." He had a fake-innocent smile, with a look that was oh so Julius. "I remember being in total blackness, but I saw a bright light flash and then I opened my eyes." My eyes widened in surprise. "It was you, wasn't it?" Julius asked, smiling shyly at me. "I-I think you may be correct.." I replied, unsure.

"Wow you are the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life. Even your mother could never surpass my love for you. I mean, you healed me when I was almost on the brink of death. You are a very powerful goddess and I know you will use that power for good." I couldn't help it as a few stray tears slid down my cheeks. "Julius, you are so sweet. I hope to live up to your expectations." I smiled drowsily back at him. I hadn't realized until just that moment that I was so fatigued. In fact, I felt as though I could fall asleep right then and there... And the next moment I was slumped against Julius's chest, snoring.

---------------------------------------

I could hear the birds chirping and a slow breath of someone close. Slowly opening my eyes, as not to irritate them with harsh sunlight first thing in the morning, I saw a familiar red-haired man sleeping peacefully next to me. I smiled as I remembered what happened before I went to sleep, and the words Julius said to me. One thing he mentioned puzzled me though. Even your mother could never surpass my love for you.. Hmm.

I carefully untangled myself with Julius and stepped out of bed. I swayed a little, unbalanced, but put a hand on the bed to steady myself. That's when I noticed the room was different than any I'd seen. It was decorated of mostly black with deep red accents all over the room. I padded across the rug, absentmindedly running the thin red curtains through my fingers as I stopped by the large, stone archway that opened up to a balcony outside.

As I stood in the cool, night air, gazing at the stars and thinking about my mother, a pair of warm arms wrapped themselves around me. "Luna.." he breathed down my neck and consequently, my spine involuntarily shivered. I spun around and surprised Julius (and, frankly, myself) by kissing him passionately. Everything about that moment felt so natural; the way he wrapped his strong, warm arms around me, or the tickle of his hair on my face. Kissing the man I knew I was destined to be with under a starry sky, with the chilly night wind caressing our bodies- perfect in every way. Perfect it was until that nagging feeling reappeared.

Stepping away from his embrace, I steadied myself on the stone railing that overlooked the small kingdom. "Julius?" I asked. "When you said even my mom couldn't surpass your love for me did you mean that-" "Luna." Julius interjected. "I did love your mother. I didn't think Kailani would beat me in the game of love, and I certainly didn't perceive him as the type to kidnap, but it happened and here we are. I'm not going to deny or hide that I loved your mother, but that was before I met you." I smiled, Julius can be so sweet. "All the other girls were purely for..uh.. recharging purposes." And just like that, my smile turned into an annoyed scowl. I punched Julius in the arm forcefully. "Ow! What? I just want to lay it all out there on the table. I just want you to know that coming from me. I have to recharge someway!" Julius pleaded with me, so I softened my expression.

"I understand and thank you for being honest with me. I appreciate it." I smiled shyly and stared at my feet, suddenly too embarrassed to face him. "Come here," Julius whispered as he pulled me close to his chest. "I just want to stay close to you like this all night." I smiled into his warm embrace and whispered, "Me too."

----------------------

I awoke the next morning to several hushed tones. "Get out you guys!" someone whispered. "W-we're sorry, we didn't think you would also be in here.." another voice stuttered, nervously. "Ha!" A third voice chimed in. "And we definitely didn't expect you two to be naked." I heard a snicker from someone who's voice I didn't recognize. Wait? I thought to myself. Naked?! I could immediately feel my cheeks flushing. "Looks like someone's awake, look at that blush!" The same taunting voice laughed. A few more snickers ensued.

I snapped my eyes open and found myself glaring at Leo, my face growing redder by the second. A voice whispered in my ear, "I think you look adorable when you blush.." which caused me to jump at the sudden closeness, but I relaxed when I realized it was Julius. I sat up, pulling the covers up over my chest and glanced up at Maxwell who burst into tears. "Goddess, I am so relieved that you're okay!" My gaze softens at Maxwell. "I'm sorry to worry you. My anxiety was probably palpable to you." I spoke quietly. "But it had to be done. Kailani was planning on taking the whole kingdom as his own to make a patriarchal society. He despises women."

Both Maxwell and Leo gasped. "And my mom..." I started solemnly. "He was holding her captive." Thinking about the whole messed up situation caused me sadness, so I laid against Julius for support; he was my rock. Knowing how hard it was for me to talk about, he squeezed my hand in comfort and rubbed circles on my skin with his thumb, leaving a burning sensation. "Wait. What? Who's-" Leo started to say, but Maxwell interjected, "Oh, I see." He looked at me quizzically. "Even I didn't know she had a daughter..." Leo watched the gears turning in Maxwell's head and finally concluded. "Ohhh, so you mean your mom is-" and for a second time Leo was interrupted.

"Sorry I'm late" she said. I couldn't speak, and my heart felt as though it would leap from my chest. Mom! "H-how.." was all I could get out of my mouth, since I was still amazed that she was standing before me. "Luna, you healed me. Would it not make sense that you healed her too?" Julius whispered in my ear. I still couldn't speak as I watched the beautiful woman, completely unscathed, float toward me, a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. "I knew you could do it." She told me as she knelt down to the bedside. "And you even managed to save me and your, uh, friend." she glanced at Julius and snickered. I couldn't help but let out a laugh, giddy in the moment, and pulled her into a hug. "This feels like a dream." I whispered in her ear. She squeezed me and then whispered back. "I agree, but honey, I think you should consider putting some clothes on." I pulled away and looked down, wondering what she was talking about, and realized I was still only covered by the blanket but a little less of me was covered at the moment. I scrambled to pull the covers back over my chest and glanced at the boys, my face red as a beet.

Julius was snickering, Maxwell was looking away, and Leo was staring at me, his hand clamped over his mouth and pink cheeks. I grabbed a small pillow from the bed and chucked it at Leo, hitting him square in the face. After the blow, he seemed to have regained his composure, saying politely, "My apologies Goddess" and bowing, his face glowing an even brighter red. "Ugh." I groaned, "Boys, out." Julius tried to lay the puppy dog eyes on me to let him stay, but I refused, wanting to spend some time with my mother. The boys exited the room, with Julius sulking in the back.

I turned back to my mom and beamed. "I still can't believe this is real.. I've went through my whole life never knowing who you were. I never could have even imagined this, though." Veondra smiled back at me. "It has been so hard, and I am sorry to put this burden on you, but I am so proud of all you've accomplished already. I can see a very bright future in store for you." I hugged her once more and finally put some clothes on for the day. "You look beautiful," my mother told me. "I must have inherited it." I winked at her, laughing. "Shall we attend breakfast with the boys?" she asked me, smiling as she held out her arm. "That sounds perfect." I said to her, linking my arm through hers. I couldn't help but feel complete as I walked arm and arm with my mother into the dining room. I had found out who my mother is, and actually found her herself. I've made amazing friends who care about me. I found a man who loves me unconditionally and who is my best friend. Who would have ever thought that the best thing I found in Shendhea is a home.

A/N: So I was actually planning on not saving her mom, but I just couldn't kill her off after she entered the story, I ended up loving her. I'd love to hear thoughts on that, if I should or shouldn't have killed her off. Also, I'd love comments on the story as a whole!

P.S. There will be an epilogue :)