Epilogue: Gift of Loving

Astha strode through the halls of the Star Palace. It had been a rare quiet day in the Imperial Court, with few audiences and little business to conduct. But then again, it was spring, and most nobles, Imperial and Outer alike, had their own lands to look to. Spring was the season of quiet, before Summer business and progressions took place. Of course, there was already planning in motion for that year's diplomatic missions, but those were still two months off.

Two years and a season had passed since Astha and Abel's wedding. True to Seth's suggestion, the two of them had taken a week-long honeymoon, then returned to the court to catch up on business and to begin the process of Astha's Crusnik transformation.

The process had been a slow one, taking several months. First, Abel's nano-machines had needed to be taken and cleaned of residual programming. That had taken some weeks, though Seth had done the majority of it before the wedding. Then, over the course of several weeks, Seth had introduced small numbers of the nano-machines to Astha, reprogramming them as Crusnik 05. Following the third injection, Astha had begun working on activating and releasing her powers, under Abel and Seth's careful supervision. She had started at a low rate, only about a 10 percent activation. That had been strange, completely different from when Abel had given her his blood during their first visit to the Vatican. It had taken her a few tries to get used to the feel of the Crusnik aligning with her blood and neural pathways. Abel and Seth had both reassured her that it was normal.

From there they had followed a steady schedule of increasing numbers of nano-machines and higher activation levels until Seth relayed that she had reached 'saturation point'.

From there, she had practiced until she could achieve an eighty percent activation comfortably. She had wound up being aligned with fire and lightning, much like Abel. That was comforting, since it meant he could help her learn to use her powers. Interestingly enough though, her weapon had manifested as swords.

Abel had only shrugged. "That's likely Lilith's nano-machine programming. Swords were her weapons. I'm rather relieved. It suits you."

Seth had revealed later that Cain had used a spear as his weapon of choice, which made Astha glad that her weapon had manifested as it had. Though Abel's mood had improved with their marriage, he still had his bleak days, and nights where she had to soothe him out of nightmares and grief.

He was recovering, but the process was slow, and Astha understood that he might never recover fully from the scars he carried. Still, she had her own, and she knew how to cope with his, so the matter didn't bother her.

She had been slightly irked when Abel had warned her not to go above the eighty percent fusion. Further than that was unstable, according to him. She had been irritated, pointing out that he had mastered a full fusion. To which he had replied that he hadn't mastered it, not fully, only managed to keep a tight rein on it. Seth had later soothed her temper by revealing that she hadn't exceeded the eighty percent barrier either. Unlike Astha, the Empress had understood very well why Abel had refused to discuss it, or allow either of them to try it.

"I think Abel fears the madness and the death. Both Cain and Abel died to fulfill the final fusion, and both of them were insane for a time. I do not think Abel will ever forget this. And you must remember, you are still very new to your powers. Wait a few centuries." Seth had smiled. "You do have the time now, Astharoshe. Trust Abel."

That had cooled her anger. And Abel had made up for it a few weeks later by taking her outside the Lapis Lazuli Wall. During the day.

Astha had been stunned by the experience. She hadn't felt the touch of the sun since her Awakening, over a century ago. Since then, she and Abel had made several daylight excursions, enjoying the unaccustomed freedom that the Crusnik granted.

She had also discovered her lack of Thirst, substituted by a greater appetite and a need for infusions of Methuselah blood every so often. She'd also had to acclimate to her greater strength and speed. She discovered, in a race against the Earl of Memphis, that she could even match 'haste' without too much strain. Certainly it was far easier than she had expected. And it didn't even require a transformation.

In the end, after just over seven months of Crusnik injections and another three of practice, she had adapted to her new state. Abel had been ecstatic at how easily the transformation had gone. Of the three of them, he had been the most concerned that Astha might struggle with the adaptation process.

They had taken care to hide Astha's new condition during their diplomatic progressions. Astha's travel kit now contained a small bottle of silver nitrate solution, obtained from the Count of Manchester and his family. To camouflage the matter even further, Virgil and Vanessa had agreed to publish the recipe for their solution for all Methuslah. More than one Methuselah, both in the Empire and in the Outer World, had availed themselves of the formula. The advantages were certainly worth pursuing, though there was a resultant flare-up of discussions regarding the strictures of silver nitrate use outside the Empire, and punishments for abusing the privilege among ambassadors and traveling Methuselah following the release.

The Inquisition had launched an outcry, but the Pope had supported the new way of regulating Methuselah needs, and eventually everything had settled again.

Everything had been going well on the diplomatic front. Germanicus had finally agreed to speak with them. So had the Franc Kingdoms. Things were still in their beginning stages and moving slowly on both fronts, but it was a start. The truce with the Vatican had been strengthened. Only a year ago, His Holiness the Pope, Alessandro, and Augusta Veradica, Empress, had met in the Free City of Carthage and signed a formal document declaring full cessation of hostilities between the Empire and the Vatican for the first time in living memory. There had even been some hesitant agreement to trade discussions and missionary ventures at a later date, though that was still some years away.

In the meantime, trade with other kingdoms had flourished. Ion had, with Seth's blessing and the Count of Manchester's, begun courting Esther. Astha had wondered if Abel would be jealous of the young Earl capturing Esther's attentions, but Abel had approved the match wholeheartedly. Silver nitrate formulation would permit the Earl to assume daylight hours, if his courtship came to fruition, and he and Esther were well matched in both years and maturity. As far as Astha had heard, there had been no signs so far of Esther refusing the young man's suit.

Astha and Abel's relationship had continued to flourish as well, growing deeper and stronger. Abel had taken to the duties of his newly acquired Dukedom quite well. As Astha had completed her transformation to Crusnik 05, Abel had revealed ever more of his life to her, secrets of his own transformation. He had taken her flying, showing her the world from his wings and gently coaxing her to call forth her own. He had taught her how to regulate the blood hunger, brought her snacks and smiles and gently teased her back into good humor after she'd accidentally worked herself into a low-blood-sugar state and collapsed.

Astha swallowed hard as she passed into the courtyard that designated the Empress's wing and separated Seth's section of the Imperial Palace from hers and Abel's.

Two weeks ago, she had gotten ill. She had been a little surprised, since Methuselah were impervious to most illnesses, and Crusnik even more so. But it had passed, and she assumed it had been another spell of brief adjustment sickness. Abel had admitted that even he still made mistakes.

But the sickness had kept coming almost every day. Intense nausea, followed by cravings that Astha had never before experienced. Sugar in unbelievable quantities, tea, and she'd needed an early blood transfusion as well.

Abel had gotten concerned after the first week. Seth had checked her Crusnik and reported that her nano-machine balance was stable, and there were no signs of rejection in her body.

After the second week, Astha had decided to seek out their private physician for a consultation. Abel had offered to attend with her, but she had sent him to work on diplomatic plans with Seth. She'd never liked seeing a Healer, but even less with an audience. It was embarrassing.

Though she rather wished he had gone with her, given what the physician had told her…

She found the office where they conducted most of their business these days, when they weren't in formal Council. Her hearing, sharpened by the Crusnik, picked up the low hum of voices inside. She knocked twice, then pushed the door open.

Abel looked up and came around the table, leaving the papers he'd been leaning over to scatter across the surface. "Astha?"

"Abel..." She didn't object when he enfolded her in his arms.

"What did the physician say? Are you all right?" Abel's voice held nothing but concern for her, and Astha smiled wryly.

"I'll be fine."

"Did you find out what was making you ill?"

"I did." She looked up into his eyes. "It appears, my lord, that we shall have something new to celebrate this winter."

"Something new to..."

Astha cupped his cheek to silence him. For all that she'd been nervous on the way here, shocked by the news she'd never really expected to receive, just seeing his face was enough to melt concern into amusement, and joy. "I speak of your heir, tovarish."

"My..." Abel blinked, then his jaw went slack and his eyes went wide. "My...our..." He gulped. "Astha...are you...we're having..."

"A child, my Prince. In about eight months, if the palace healer is accurate."

"Well, that is wonderful news." Seth had come to stand beside them, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, I didn't ever think I'd get the chance to be an aunt."

"A...a child." Abel breathed the words, his eyes bright with a whirlwind of emotions. Without warning, he pulled Astha into a crushing embrace. "Astha..."

"Are you pleased, Nightroad?"

"Of course. I just..." Abel's voice cracked. "I never thought...I didn't know if it was possible."

Abel pulled back. Tears were streaking his face, but his smile was wide.

Astha smirked. "Idiot. There's no reason to cry." She handed him a handkerchief, and Abel swiped the tears from his face.

"I know. It's just...well, I am a little overwhelmed." Abel blinked, looking dazed, if still happy. "A child."

Seth grinned. "You shouldn't worry so, Abel. I'm sure you'll do fine. You did with me." She patted her brother's arm.

"Indeed. And I will be there to keep you in line." Astha grinned.

Abel laughed. "I suppose you will." He embraced her again. "I...thank you Astha. This is...it's a gift I never thought I could receive. And I swear, I will always love you. You and our children."

Astha tilted her head and kissed him. "And I you, my partner. Forever."

Abel laughed. "Forever then."

The End.

Author's Note: And here we are, at the end of the story. This is the oldest story I have posted, and one of the longest.

I thank everyone who has been with me through this long and winding journey.