Chapter 446:Epilogue II - A future beyond divinity. (18+)

Several months passed.

The Dark Elven Kingdom slowly returned to something resembling normal life.

Zelpher resumed his duties, although he had developed the unfortunate habit of checking whether Atheline was actually present before entering a room, since his king occasionally appeared from places that shouldn't have been physically accessible.

The surviving councillors became considerably more cooperative after the war, though they hadn't completely abandoned their habit of arguing over minor administrative matters.

Seragus visited with Lucifer, who proudly announced that he intended to challenge Atheline again once he'd reached Sovereignty.

Atheline had wished him luck. Lucifer had immediately accused him of being condescending.

Draco and Eliana also visited, bringing news of the recovering oceans and several particularly embarrassing stories about the Dragon King's behavior during the reconstruction.

The white fox, meanwhile, remained utterly unimpressed by its owner's ascension.

It still demanded food, still stole comfortable places to sleep, and still occasionally bit Atheline whenever he attempted to disturb its naps.

Apparently, even gods had limitations.

One evening, after an unusually exhausting council meeting, Atheline finally returned to the royal chambers.

He found Lilith standing on the balcony.

The sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving the Dark Elven capital illuminated by countless lights. Music drifted from the streets below, and the distant laughter of children occasionally reached the palace.

Atheline walked toward her.

Lilith didn't turn.

"Finished?"

"For today."

"How many documents?"

"Enough to make me reconsider divinity."

She laughed softly.

Atheline slipped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin against her shoulder.

For a while, neither spoke.

The little white fox lay curled up beside a flowerpot near their feet, occasionally twitching its ears whenever a breeze crossed the balcony.

Atheline looked down at it.

"Remember when that little thing used to fit in one hand?"

Lilith smiled.

"And you insisted it wasn't going to become spoiled."

"It isn't spoiled."

The fox opened one eye.

Atheline looked at it.

"Don't give me that look."

It closed its eye again.

She laughed.

He smiled, then turned his attention toward the city.

He could feel the world now, not constantly, because he'd learned to control that awareness, but whenever he wished, he could sense the movement of Aether across continents, the growth of forests, the currents of oceans and the countless lives existing beneath the same sky.

It was extraordinary... And occasionally frightening.

"Lilith."

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you something?"

She turned slightly.

"Since when do you need permission?"

Atheline hesitated.

"Do you ever worry that one day I'll become too different?"

Lilith's expression softened.

He continued before she could answer.

"I'm a god now. I don't know what that means a thousand years from today, or ten thousand. I don't know whether I'll eventually start seeing things differently, or whether the things that matter to me now will somehow become insignificant."

He looked at her.

"What if one day I'm no longer mortal enough to remain beside you?"

Lilith stared at him for several seconds, then she reached up and pinched his cheek.

"Ow."

"Idiot."

"That's a very reassuring answer."

"Atheline." Her hand moved from his cheek to his face. "You're the same man who spent half an hour arguing with a councillor because he wanted to build a temple in your name."

"An unnecessary temple."

"The same man who still forgets where he leaves his communication crystals."

"That happened once."

"Three times."

"You're counting?"

"And the same man who became a god and immediately complained about paperwork."

Atheline sighed.

"I see where this is going."

Lilith smiled.

"If you ever become arrogant enough to think you're above everything and everyone, I'll personally drag you back down."

"From godhood?"

"If necessary."

"That sounds difficult."

"I've accomplished more difficult things."

Atheline looked at her.

She wasn't joking.

That was what made him laugh. Somehow, he believed her completely.

Lilith leaned closer.

"Besides, you're forgetting something."

"What?"

"I'm a Sovereign now."

Atheline smiled.

"I noticed."

"And you've removed the restrictions preventing people from pursuing divinity."

His expression changed.

Lilith's smile widened.

"So if you ever decide to wander off into some higher realm because you think you're too divine to stay with your wife, I'll simply follow you."

Atheline stared.

"That's terrifying."

"It should be."

He laughed and pulled her closer.

"Then I suppose I have no choice."

"You never did."

Their lips met on the balcony, soft at first, tasting of the quiet evening and everything they had survived. The kiss deepened almost immediately.

Her fingers slid into his hair; his hands tightened at her waist, pulling her flush against him. The distant music and laughter of the capital faded beneath the sound of their breathing.

He broke the kiss only long enough to murmur against her mouth, "Inside."

Lilith answered by wrapping her arms around his neck. Atheline lifted her easily, one arm beneath her thighs, the other supporting her back.

She laughed once, breathless, as he carried her through the open doors into the royal chambers. The white fox barely lifted its head as they passed.

He set her down only when they reached the edge of the enormous bed. Their mouths found each other again while he worked the fastenings of her dress. Fabric whispered to the floor.

Lilith's hands were just as urgent, pushing his coat from his shoulders, unlacing his shirt until skin met skin. He guided her backward onto the mattress, following her down, the weight of him settling between her thighs for a moment before she rolled them.

She kissed a path down his chest, over the ridged muscles of his abdomen, until she knelt between his legs. Her dark hair spilled across his hips as she took him into her mouth, slow and deliberate.

Atheline's head fell back against the pillows with a low sound. One of his hands tangled in her hair; the other reached down, sliding between her thighs. He found her already wet, and two fingers pressed inside her in a deep, curling stroke that made her moan around him.