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    Aditus
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Kabal - 15. Epilogue

The four men stood at the edge of the cliffs behind the summerhouse. The strong wind drove curtains of rain over the land. A small object hovered several meters above the white-capped waves, held in place by Nico’s telekinetic powers. Landyn had his arm protectively around Simon’s waist, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Diarmad had taken up position beside his mate, his hand resting on Henry’s head. The dog leaned against his leg. In the background, Carl guarded them, his hand never leaving the pommel of his sword.

They had decided the open sea was a much better place to scatter Lionel’s ashes than the gardens where his mate had died a horrible death. Here, his soul would immediately be free to venture on to its search for Keith’s.

Ronan watched through the big picture window of his living room as Diarmad lifted his hand and a lightning bolt emerged from his fingertips, shattering the urn. Lionel’s ashes were immediately taken by the wind and lifted into the sky in a grey spiral. All five men bowed, with their hands placed over their hearts.

Inside the house, Ronan did the same, whispering, “I’m sorry.” Then he turned around and left the home, where Ruy had grown up, that his soon-to-be-born daughter would never get to know. She wouldn’t play with Henry on the beach, like her brother, never run with Nico along the shore, learn to swim from her uncles Landyn and Simon, nor build sandcastles with the king. He didn’t close the door behind him. He wasn’t able to do this last step and conclude this chapter of his life. Instead, he headed to the car, where his mate was waiting for him. He counted himself lucky that Becca was staying with him even after his unforgivable mistake. Because of his negligence, his king’s mate almost died. He hadn’t expected the Elder hiding a gun under his robe, he thought him too weak to do any harm. Instead of watching him he’d looked at Lionel coming into the room. The man had instantly thrown himself in between Nico and the bullet. He’d given his life to save the King’s mate, did Ronan’s job without hesitation. He knew Nico had spoken to the king on his behalf. Nico had forgiven him, had begged him to stay, but he didn’t want forgiveness, he didn’t deserve forgiveness.

Without looking back, he and Becca ended their service. A part of their souls would forever be missing.

 

Diarmad sat behind his desk, perusing Simon’s report:

Apparently, the Order had recruited their fighters from various xenophobic, paramilitary groups all over the world. Already of the right mindset, they easily believed the Order’s tales of an alien invasion force that was about to overtake Earth. The Order could not risk that news or even rumors of the attack and abduction getting out, so the fighters had to be eliminated. Under the pretense they had to treat them against an alien virus they might have contracted, they had readily accepted the deadly infusion.

After making sure nothing pointed to the Seraei, Carl had changed the mass murder scenario into one where members of a doomsday cult had committed suicide. Only then had they involved the human police. It was on the news for weeks.

Their own investigation confirmed what they had already known or suspected. The Order accused the Seraei as intruders and invaders, which had to be eliminated at all costs to save humankind. But the real reason behind their betrayal had been lust for power and greed. They had wanted to rule Earth. Some even planned on using Seraei portals to travel between planets to steal, pilfer technology, treasures, whatever there might be.

Diarmad snorted, “In other words, the usual motivations: greed, megalomania, and stupidity.”

It left the question of what to do with the remaining Order members and the Order itself.

Diarmad looked at Landyn, Simon, Carl, and Nico. “I want your suggestions on how we handle the Order.”

To ensure the greatest possible support and acceptance of their people, they decided to call for a general assembly. Each clan had to send a representative.

The first item of their agenda had to be to form a new Council and elect its leader.

A month later, Diarmad and Nico were watching the heated discussions. They had decided to stay out of the election process and only observe as a neutral party. After three days, the assembly voted for Sean Monaghan as their new leader.

The second item on the list was the question of how to proceed further with the Order. After studying Simon’s reports that had shown only a third of the Order member had been involved in or known of Aki’s and the Secretary’s conspiracy, they agreed not to dissolve the Order. They decided, its remaining members had to agree to be scanned by Seraei telepaths at regular intervals from now on. Those who didn’t want to be scanned would have had their memory erased to be able to live like normal people without the knowledge of the Seraei. The coconspirators would have their memory forcibly erased, and any monetary assets gained from the Seraei were to withdraw.

Much more difficult for the assembly had been to come to a decision what to do with the Smythes and the O’Gradys, as it had been confirmed both clans had conspired with the Secretary of Elders against the king.

Here too, Diarmad Nico left the decision to the assembly. They even offered to leave the premises so the members could talk freely but after a short meeting, the assembly members had asked them to stay.

It took them two days to come to the decision to relieve the clan leaders of their posts and replace them with loyal men and women of the respective clans, and threaten them with severe punishment should they fail again.

After finishing the talks for the day Diarmad, Nico, Landyn, and Simon had returned to the summerhouse for the evening. In search of a snack, Nico went into the kitchen, where he found Watson bent over pots and pans. “What are you doing here?”

Watson grinned sheepishly. “Cooking.” He hadn’t known what to do after the incidents at the Order’s compound. He didn’t trust his former bosses, who had sent him there. Additionally, he couldn’t imagine working at a lab anymore. The king must have seen his dilemma. Finally, he’d suggested he work for him, probably to make sure he didn’t reveal the Seraei. “The king said if I wanted to stay with you, I’d have to do something useful.”

“And you decided to become our cook?”

“I’m good at cooking! It was my second choice of profession and Ivan—”

“Ivan did a lot more than cooking.” Nico stormed out the kitchen.

 

Watson almost dropped the pot with stew he was about to carry to the dining room when a man dressed as if he’d raided a trunk with clothes from every one of the last few centuries appeared, seemingly out of thin air. ”You! Show me to your king!”

Wide-eyed, Watson stammered, ”D-do you have an appointment?”

“I don’t need an appointment,” the odd man snapped at Watson.

At that moment, Landyn came looking for what the commotion was. As soon as he saw the strange man, he dropped to his knees. “My king!”

Confused, Watson looked into the dining room, where he could see Diarmad talking to Nico.

”King?”

“Where is Diarmad? Is he well?” the man inquired.

“He is well. I will bring you to him immediately.” Landyn led the man to Diarmad, who got up from his chair immediately when he saw them.”King Luthais! Did something happen on Tracct?”

The strange king lifted his hands placatingly. “Everything is fine, my boy.” He walked straight over to Diarmad, looked him in the eye and knelt and kissed his hand. Diarmad stared wordlessly at him.

“I had to come to you to apologize personally for the atrocious actions of my sister Misa and make amends. I understand she tried to overthrow you to become the queen of Earth. As if this weren’t harrowing enough, she interfered with a sacred mating bond. Weakening a king’s bond, any bond is unpardonable. This is my entirely my fault and I take full responsibility. I shouldn’t have trusted the Verdonian authorities to be able to handle her, especially considering she already killed our father. I underestimated her malice and greed for power. King Luthais got up slowly and put his hand on Diarmad’s shoulder. My sources tell me your standing as king still suffers from the events. I hear many of your people doubt the strength of the bond between you and your mate. They fear it’s still weakened, am I right?”

Diarmad clenched his fists, his eyes flashing silver. “You are correct.” Nico stepped beside his mate and took his hand.

“We will prove to the doubters how strong our bond is!”

King Luthais nodded. “I am sure, but maybe I could give it a little help.”

“How?” Nico narrowed his eyes at the king of Tracct.

Luthais grinned, “He is a feisty one, your mate.” Serious again, he suggested, “How about a second mating ceremony, performed by me in front of your general assembly and council? If it goes through, as I am sure it will, it will disperse any doubts and confirm you as their king.” Diarmad looked questioningly at Nico, who gave a sharp nod.

“Good, now that’s clear...” The king of Tracct sniffed around and tried to peek into the pot with stew. Nico grinned. “May we invite you for dinner?”

The king blushed and said, “What is this? It smells amazing.”

Nico nodded encouragingly at Watson, who explained, “It’s a curry dish with sweet potatoes, Hokkaido pumpkin, carrots, onions, and apples.”

Moments later, Luthais sat down at the table and enthusiastically shoveled the to him unknown food into his mouth.

 

Two days later, Diarmad and Nico stood bare-chested in front of the general assembly.

Luthais waved his hand at them. “Show your mating marks.”

They hesitated briefly before they followed his order. A murmur went through the audience when everyone could see that their marks had indeed changed. The colors of Nico’s had turned into their complementary colors, Diarmad’s panther had become red.

“Some of you are questioning the strength of your king’s mating bond after the ordeals he and Nico went through.” Luthais put his hand first on Diarmad’s, then Nico’s mark. “This is not a sign of weakness but the result of a victory. To prove this to the doubters among you, I will test their mating with the fire ribbon ritual.” He took their clasped hands into his and wrapped a glowing strap he’d pulled out the air around their hands. Then he touched the leaping panther on Diarmad’s chest with their bound hands and a bursting star appeared over its head, looking like a crown. Next, he tapped the vines on Nico’s hip with their bound hands and a thin line formed a shield-like outline around them.

To conclude the ritual, he pushed their hands into a large bowl filled with water. Instantly steam billowed out the surface and the ribbon was gone, their skin unscathed.

“The ritual went through their bond is confirmed! Applaud your king and his mate and any doubt may fall silent forever!”

 

“I should have known...” Nico put a finger on Diarmad’s lips. “Any doubt may fall silent, remember? Maybe if you had been looking for betrayal, but you hadn’t. You trusted them.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have....”

“That’s the beauty of trust. You do not question it. Risk equals trust. Ultimate trust, ultimate risk. It can’t be questioned.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

 

A week later Sho was in Diarmad’s study, his bags by his feet, swords on top. Nico held his hands. “I will move to Ivan’s clan lands; his brother invited me.”

“The day will come when Ivan will ask you to leave and go home to Japan.”

Sho glared at Diarmad’s back. “I won’t leave him. He is my mate.”

Diarmad turned around from watching the sea through the window. “He will order you to go.”

“I won’t leave him.”

Nico hugged him. “He will be offensive. Cruel. He will tell you he doesn’t need you or want you.“

“I won’t leave him.”

Diarmad smiled. “That was what we wanted to know.” He squeezed Nico’s hand. “We will always support you. And when it gets too rough, I will send Nico.“

“That’s what I hoped. Thank you, your highness.” Sho bowed, grabbed his bags and left.

This concludes Kabal and at the same time The King's Mate series.
I'd like to thank you, my readers, for reacting,  commenting and reviewing. Some of you are following the series from the first chapter of The Holly and the Ivy. You all are the reason, the motivation, I was able to finish this.
Next I have to thank @Lisa and @Zombie, my editors for the first two books. :thankyou:.  For the last book @Valkyrie took over, thank you. To be blunt: without you guys the books would be crap. :hug:  A special mentioning to @Timothy M., who helped to tie the loose ends. :hug: Should I have forgotten something, it's  entirely my fault.
Copyright © 2018 aditus; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

8 hours ago, Geemeedee said:

Everything Valkyrie said, with emphasis on the hope for an Ivan/Sho story.

Thank you for your comment, Gemeedee! I can't see me writing anything the King's Mate at the moment, sorry.

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“It’s a curry dish with sweet potatoes, Hokkaido pumpkin, carrots, onions, and apples.” - I'm soooo hungry now.

A murmur went through the audience when everyone could see that their marks had indeed changed. The colors of Nico’s had turned into their complementary colors, Diarmad’s panther had become red. - Cool!

“We will always support you. And when it gets too rough, I will send Nico.“ /“That’s what I hoped. Thank you, your highness.” Sho bowed, grabbed his bags and left. - *gushing tears* You can do it, Sho! Dagnabbit!

Aw man, it's bittersweet to leave Diarmad and Nico (for the most part), but I'm super relieved they're doing ok. I'm also excited to (eventually) read about Sho getting into Ivan's good graces somehow! You'll probably see some more random comments from me whenever I get around to re-reading everything again (all your stories are re-readable, in fact, they're a bit more fun the second time around when you're not consumed by the angst-suspense of the unknown that awaits...forget the fact that I'm always going to be feeling that with every new story you post 😄 ). Thanks, as always, for sharing your amazing work with us. I'll be eagerly awaiting whatever you work on next.

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Beautifully done. You tied up the important threads, ending the conspiracy and showing off the bonds. You left a few holes allowing you to pick up threads if you decide to return. I've learned to never say never and I'm sure you know this as well. Thank you for a wonderfully rich story.

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5 hours ago, Thirdly said:

It’s a curry dish with sweet potatoes, Hokkaido pumpkin, carrots, onions, and apples.” - I'm soooo hungry now.

Haha, I ate that the day I wrote the epilogue.

5 hours ago, Thirdly said:

You'll probably see some more random comments from me whenever I get around to re-reading everything again

Yes, please. I love reading your comments. Makes me feeling like chatting with you swapping ideas.:hug:

 

 

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4 hours ago, comicfan said:

Beautifully done. You tied up the important threads, ending the conspiracy and showing off the bonds. You left a few holes allowing you to pick up threads if you decide to return. I've learned to never say never and I'm sure you know this as well. Thank you for a wonderfully rich story.

Thank you,   for  your comment. I'm glad you think I tied up the important threads. I couldn't help to feel  the whole time I forgot something. 

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And so it is over. Boo hoo ! :,(

I loved everything about it. The characters and their (mostly) love for each other and their customs. How they tried to respect their "host-planet" and its customs.

I think we could learn a thing or two about the Seraei - their loyalty and how they love unconditionally being two of them. It is the reason, that due to the unquestioning, categorical allegiance of Ronan to the King and his mate, that I believe his dismissal will kill him in the end ... to know he failed, will tear his heart and his soul into pieces

The Seraei are militant without being aggressive in a negative way - I mean, only when they have to be, like defending the King or his mate from an attack. I.e. they won't prey on humans, even though they are far weaker.

They respect their own privacy in regards to telepathy - they won't violate it.

Their whole society conveys an atmosphere of gothicity, of feudalism but a the same time they're totally contemporary ... I really loved the way they lived. It's also good, I suppose, that only 1/3 of the Order members were on the path to corruption and treason to the King. If not, I'm sure Nico's Nana would surely notice ...

Taking the memories from some of the more dodgy characters was a merciful and necessary solution. It was also great to see D. and Nico's bond reaffirmed and strengthened.

 

Finally, I'm so happy that you are considering writing something about Ivan and Sho - YAAAAAY ! :hug:

I know - In the future ! 0:)

Please, don't be a stranger, and let us know about your next books !!

PS. I really liked King Luthais. Don't you agree Watson was left a bit too flustered by his showing up ?

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13 hours ago, Bookjunkie56 said:

And so it is over. Boo hoo ! :,(

I loved everything about it. The characters and their (mostly) love for each other and their customs. How they tried to respect their "host-planet" and its customs.

I think we could learn a thing or two about the Seraei - their loyalty and how they love unconditionally being two of them. It is the reason, that due to the unquestioning, categorical allegiance of Ronan to the King and his mate, that I believe his dismissal will kill him in the end ... to know he failed, will tear his heart and his soul into pieces

The Seraei are militant without being aggressive in a negative way - I mean, only when they have to be, like defending the King or his mate from an attack. I.e. they won't prey on humans, even though they are far weaker.

They respect their own privacy in regards to telepathy - they won't violate it.

Their whole society conveys an atmosphere of gothicity, of feudalism but a the same time they're totally contemporary ... I really loved the way they lived. It's also good, I suppose, that only 1/3 of the Order members were on the path to corruption and treason to the King. If not, I'm sure Nico's Nana would surely notice ...

Taking the memories from some of the more dodgy characters was a merciful and necessary solution. It was also great to see D. and Nico's bond reaffirmed and strengthened.

 

Finally, I'm so happy that you are considering writing something about Ivan and Sho - YAAAAAY ! :hug:

I know - In the future ! 0:)

Please, don't be a stranger, and let us know about your next books !!

PS. I really liked King Luthais. Don't you agree Watson was left a bit too flustered by his showing up ?

You're the first who read all three books in one go (with a few interruptions I guess)! Perfect! Thank you for your great comments. You pulled me away from upcoming writer's block. I'm very thankful.

About Sho and Ivan's story. @Thirdly, @Valkyrie and you made me think about it again. I was sure there would be no interest. What motivates me the most is the communication with my readers. If there isn't any or much, the plot bunnies go into hibernation.

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11 hours ago, aditus said:

About Sho and Ivan's story. @Thirdly, @Valkyrie and you made me think about it again. I was sure there would be no interest. What motivates me the most is the communication with my readers. If there isn't any or much, the plot bunnies go into hibernation.

*pops head in* What was that about Sho and Ivan? It's still happening? I'll wait as long as it takes. Unless you want to start on something new, which is totally fine, too. Val and I got your back.

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Great story it was great to read it again missed all the characters I hope u write a story about Sho and Ivan thank you 

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14 hours ago, Nana Atuwa said:

Great story it was great to read it again missed all the characters I hope u write a story about Sho and Ivan thank you 

Sho and Ivan's story is still on the agenda. I'm glad you like the characters so much you read the story again. :)

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The last few chapters were a bit difficult to read, somethings have been cleared up, I feel sorry for Ivan that he had to endure such horrible pain at the hands of the evil order, and all of the other people that went through the ordeals because of the greed and lust for power of a few miserable people. 

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Aditus

Posted (edited)

55 minutes ago, Bft said:

....and all of the other people that went through the ordeals because of the greed and lust for power of a few miserable people. 

That's kinda the quintessence of Kabal, or maybe even the entire series. 

Thank you for reading TKM, reacting, and sharing your thoughts, Bft. :)

Edited by Aditus
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On 9/10/2019 at 10:24 PM, comicfan said:

Beautifully done. You tied up the important threads, ending the conspiracy and showing off the bonds. You left a few holes allowing you to pick up threads if you decide to return. I've learned to never say never and I'm sure you know this as well. Thank you for a wonderfully rich story.

The thing about endings? A good author always leaves a few tidbits for their readers to flesh out in their own minds. Yes, there are some readers who want their hands held the entire way. But it's really not necessary.

So I'm perfectly happy with they way Ronan and Becca left. Likewise, I'm happy with the possible future of Ivan's and Sho's happiness. I can build my own story in my minds eye.

The other thing about endings is that a great author leaves just enough that a spin-off could possibly occur at a future point. Or not!

Aditus, thanks for a wonderful trip down your world of imagination.

All the best,
Al

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@Al Norris

Thank you for reading the entire series and all your comments, Al.

11 hours ago, Al Norris said:

The thing about endings? A good author always leaves a few tidbits for their readers to flesh out in their own minds. Yes, there are some readers who want their hands held the entire way. But it's really not necessary.

So I'm perfectly happy with they way Ronan and Becca left. Likewise, I'm happy with the possible future of Ivan's and Sho's happiness. I can build my own story in my minds eye.

The other thing about endings is that a great author leaves just enough that a spin-off could possibly occur at a future point. Or not!

Aditus, thanks for a wonderful trip down your world of imagination.

All the best,

This made my weekend, thank you so much. :hug:

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