Avow

CHAPTER 43

Scarlet, Tristan, Gabriel and Heather stood in the park at the center of all the Kissing Festival madness. Happy music played from the gazebo and paper stars were strung up everywhere for people to kiss beneath.

The past few months had been bittersweet. The curse was no more, but Nate’s death had been heartbreaking. It still didn’t feel real, living in this world without him, but Scarlet was no longer confused by his motivations for sacrificing himself.

His life—his heart—had ended with Molly, but he had found purpose in bringing the opportunity for love to Gabriel, Tristan, and Scarlet.

And he had done just that by giving his life.

Scarlet hoped his soul was somewhere beyond, entwined once again and now forever with Molly’s.

She looked at Tristan and found his green eyes smiling at her. He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead.

For no reason. Just because he could.

Scarlet smiled.

“Ooh! They have a love train this year!” Heather looked at Gabriel with true excitement in her eyes. “Let’s do it!”

Gabriel stared at her. “I’m not riding something called a love train.”

“Oh, come on. It’s adorable and has all these cute little train cars shaped like hearts.” She batted her lashes.

“No. You can ride the love train.”

“But I don’t want to ride the love train alone.”

“Then don’t ride the love train.”

“But I want to ride the love train.”

“For the love of God,” Tristan rolled his eyes at Gabriel. “Just go ride the train with her.”

She batted her eyelashes again.

“Fine.” Gabriel sighed. “I have a feeling this next year is going to be filled with batting eyelashes.”

Heather said, “You mean filled with awesomeness? Uh, yeah. You get to be my New York City tour guide during my first year at college. It’s going to be epic! Now, let’s go ride the train.” She clapped her hands in glee and yanked him toward the red and pink train in the park.

He let her lead him by the hand, a smile on his face, and Scarlet noticed they didn’t stop holding hands even when they got to the train. While Heather bounced excitedly at the train-goers, Gabriel tried to look bored. But he couldn’t stop smiling.

Tristan nodded to Gabriel and Heather. “How do you think that’s going to end?”

Scarlet looked at them with a sigh. “Hopefully without a curse.”

A shudder went through her as she thought about all the tragedy the curse had brought them. At least now the fountain was destroyed and could never again wreak such havoc.

Scarlet looked up at him with a smile. “So, Hunter. What do you want to do? Kissing booths? Kissing relays? Creepy dentist?”

He smiled. “Leave?”

Scarlet laughed. “It’s like you read my mind.”

Still holding her hand, Tristan walked them through the park and into the forest trees beyond.

“I got you something,” he said, pulling a small case from his pocket.

Scarlet opened the case and gasped. It was a brooch just like her mothers, but this one was brand new and the etching on the side was the same design as Tristan’s tattoo.

“It’s a little piece of me and a little piece of you,” he said.

She looked up at him and smiled. “It’s beautiful.”

A loud boom sounded into the night and fireworks lit up the sky. The Kissing Festival finale had begun.

Tristan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her back up against his chest as they watched the fireworks. The finale came to an end and Scarlet could hear cheers in the distance as Avalon celebrated the end of the Kissing Festival.

The fireworks cleared until only twinkling stars remained.

Tristan leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Is it okay if I love you forever? Even if forever is only for a lifetime?”

She turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “Only if it’s okay that I love you back.”

He smiled. “Deal.”

And while the town of Avalon was busy kissing beneath paper stars, Scarlet and Tristan kissed beneath the real ones. Just as they had centuries ago. Just as they would for years to come.