He was close. Sparkle didn’t remember his name, but she knew him, would always know him. All she had to do was open her eyes, reach out… But her eyes were glued shut, her arms wouldn’t move, and besides, it was perfect right here. No worries, no painful memories, with the assurance that she’d find amazing things if she’d only move toward the welcoming light in the distance, away from him.

Then one memory wiggled past her growing euphoria. A castle in the long ago, a bunch of people rushing outside to have sex with some rose bushes, and a table. She tried to smile, but her lips didn’t work either. She’d almost forgotten his incredible promise. She would make glorious love on another table, in another castle, in another time, with him.

With Ganymede. The name stopped her slow drift toward the light. She couldn’t leave him behind. Mede. He owed her. She turned away from the light. She opened her eyes.

He knelt on the floor, holding her against his chest as he rocked back and forth, back and forth. She gazed into his eyes. She wouldn’t mention their wet shine or how he kept blinking fast. Mede didn’t cry. Ever. So Sparkle would keep his secret. But she’d know deep inside that he did, for her. She hugged the knowledge close.

Sparkle felt the thud of his heart ease, the tremble of his hands gripping her fade. He drew in a deep breath. “I love you. And never scare me like that again.”

“I love you, too.” Wow, her voice was all weak and hoarse. What had Zendig done to her? She wiggled her toes and fingers, moved her arms and legs a little. Everything seemed okay. Then she lifted her head away from his chest to glance around and winced. Blood, bodies, but no Zendig. Where was he? She closed her eyes for a moment. Ugh, her head felt as though a thousand elves were pounding out shoes inside it.

Mede answered her unspoken question. “Dead.”

She raised one brow. “You?”

“Us.” He hooked his thumb to the back of the hall.

Troublemakers along with all those others who had helped them mingled there, speaking quietly.

“Together?” She found it tough to believe. He’d been determined to kill Zendig single-handedly.

“Yeah. They formed a chain, connected it to me, and fired me up with their powers.” He glanced away. “I guess John Donne was right with his ‘No man is an island’ crap. Told him to his face back then that I didn’t believe it. I would be just fine with me, myself, and I.” He met her gaze. “I was wrong. I needed them. I need you.”

The moment stretched between them, and she lived in the glory of that short space of time when the world was absolutely perfect.

It ended when she realized someone was touching her arm. She turned her head and came face to face with a woman kneeling beside her. Dark hair, brown eyes, sweet smile, and a yellow top. Wrong color for her skin tone. There was something familiar about…

Then Sparkle remembered. “Ella. Healer.”

Ella’s smile widened. “That’s what you hired me for.”

Sparkle frowned. “Why’re you working on me? I’m fine. Just a bump on the head. Lots of other people need your help.”

Ella shook her head. “Not just a bump on the head. You almost died.”

Died? Horrified, she remembered that light, and… She almost freaking died! Frantically, she looked around. Had anyone else she knew drifted past her on their way to the light? Mother? Father? No, they’d died thousands of years ago. Brother?

Wait. How did she know they’d both died?

Brother? Suddenly, a bomb seemed to go off in her head. She. Remembered. Everything. Mede held her tightly as she shook. A high keening cry escaped her. “Denalm. Where’s Denalm?” She twisted in Mede’s arms searching, searching for her twin. “Help me up.”

Then she saw him, shoving people out of the way to reach her. Mede stood, pulling her to her feet with him. Denalm, no Mistral, wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay, sis. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not.” Tears slid down her face. “I remember. Zendig killed Mom and Dad. Afterwards, he found us hiding in the closet. There was blood. He dragged us through their blood on the way out.” She paused to catch her breath, to rub tears from her eyes. “He trained us, made us forget. When I was ready, he tried to send me through the portal alone. He said he had to work on you a little longer.”

“He tried.” Mistral ran a soothing hand down her back. “Wasn’t going to let him separate us. He’d taken all my memories, but he couldn’t break that one connection.”

“Why didn’t I know? Why didn’t I recognize you?” Sparkle’s knees buckled, and Mistral eased her to the floor. He sat beside her. Without thinking, she reached for Mede’s hand and he was there, his grip warm and calming. Safe.

“Don’t beat yourself up, sis. I think you felt the connection, but I annoyed you so much you pushed it aside.” He grinned. “Guess I don’t blame you.”

Her gaze never left Mistral’s face. “You grabbed my hand, tried to hold me back.” Her voice broke. “The pull of the portal was too strong, though. It took both of us.”

Mistral looked as shattered as she felt. “The portal scrambled whatever brain cells Zendig had left me. When I came out the other side I didn’t see anyone or anything. I was running on instinct, and instinct told me to get the hell out of there.” He dropped his head. “I’ve regretted that all these years. Things would’ve been different if—”

Sparkle reached over to touch his face. “Don’t.” She tried on a teary smile. “I refuse to allow the past to hurt us ever again.” Time to pull on her big-girl panties. “We’re the only family we have. I won’t allow us to drift apart again.”

He nodded and then looked up as Amaya moved to stand over him. She gave him a hand up. Mistral smiled at her, and Sparkle didn’t miss the emotion in that smile. Maybe she’d have a sister-in-law to add to the family soon.

Mede leaned close. “Think you can stand?”

She nodded, and he lifted her. Sparkle took a tentative step. “Did you get all of your memories back?”

He nodded. “Everyone got theirs back when Zendig died.” Mede smiled. “I’m an only child. One of me was all my parents could handle. Oh, and Dad is fine. He’s back talking to the other troublemakers, trying to make this a bit easier for them.”

She nodded. “Can you take care of the bodies?” Sparkle was afraid to ask about the owners of those bodies, but Mede understood.

“Some of the troublemakers died. None of our friends. Not that it makes it any easier. Dad will take them back to Effix. The enemies who survived fled. Edge and some of the others will follow to make sure they don’t get a chance to threaten anyone on this planet. And I’ll send the remains of Zendig’s people to someplace far away.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “You haven’t noticed, but someone has come home.”

“What?” She turned to meet Bourne’s gaze. Ky was with him. The prince held Momo and Tuna in his arms. Sparkle could see the open portal through the hole in the wall. No raging army or anyone else was in sight. Good thing. She couldn’t survive one more minute of death or dying.

Bourne and Ky approached. Bourne looked stricken.

“I should’ve been here. I’m so sorry.”

Sparkle was ready to lay some major guilt on him, but stopped before she could say something snarky. The healing wouldn’t begin until the anger ended. She nodded. “You didn’t know. We managed without you. What happened after the portal closed?”

Bourne’s lips tightened. “I gave the king and his army a royal beat down so he’d understand that he needed to avoid Earth in the future.” He glanced at Ky. “The people were a little upset with the performance of their king and threatened a revolution. The king abdicated his throne. It belongs to Ky if he wants to return.”

Ky remained silent for a short time before shaking his head. “I don’t belong there anymore. This is my home now. My brother will make a good king.”

She wondered if his desire to stay had anything to do with Blue who was busy rounding up her bizarre collection of animals.

Bourne nodded before turning to the portal. He closed it and then excused himself so he could talk to the other defenders of the Castle.

Mede put his arm around Sparkle’s waist and tucked her against his side. “Let’s go upstairs for a while. You need to rest after your injury.”

Sparkle didn’t fight him. She thanked Ella for her healing and then waited while Mede sent Zendig’s dead on their last journey. She watched as Holgarth organized people. Fine, so she would make sure to appreciate the wizard’s people-managing skills from now on. At the moment, she didn’t think she could organize her purse.

Once back in their suite, she’d planned to have a long soul-searching talk with Mede about their plans for the future. But he was on the phone with Holgarth, and she was too tired to care about his conversation with the wizard.

Would he want to go back to his home on Effix? No, not home. This was home. Or what about his time travel business? Would he run off without her? Fear touched her, but she shoved it away. It was only her exhaustion weakening her belief in what they shared, had shared for millennia.

Drained by the battle and her doubts about what was to come, she just had enough strength to strip off her bloody clothes, take a quick shower, and crawl into bed. A short time later, he joined her after taking his own shower.

Mede turned on his side to face her. She lay on her back staring at the dark ceiling. Sparkle didn’t need the distraction of that gorgeous, bare chest. Besides, there were times when eye to eye contact could be scary. The ceiling had no face, no words to destroy dreams. “So, what did Holgarth have to say?” Coward. Putting off tough discussions didn’t solve anything.

“All of the newbies have decided they like Earth and want to stay here. Everyone except for Ky can return to Effix to visit their families on holidays. I’m sure Blue will make sure Ky doesn’t get left out. Mistral, Amaya, and Zane are heading back to the pink house in Cape May with them. It was the kids’ first home on this planet, and they miss it. But they need someone to teach them about this world and about how to be cosmic troublemakers. Because even though Zendig’s gone, they still have the troublemaker instincts he gave them. Those aren’t going away. The newbies have to learn how to control their powers and survive in the human world.”

Sparkle turned her head to look at him. “That’s a great idea.” She frowned. “I never gave Jerry his new name.”

Mede laughed. “Yeah, about that name. Jerry said to forget it. He’ll choose his own awesome name. The kid will be winner if he doesn’t go rogue.” His laughter faded. “So what’s the matter? You have that crease between your eyes that says something’s wrong.”

Sparkle had thought about how to approach the subject: casually circling it, lulling him into a false sense of security before sliding the question into their conversation. “What about your business? Will you be leaving for the future?” So much for circling and lulling.

Mede was silent for a moment that dragged into at least three years. She grew gray during the timespan. Then he beckoned her to him.

“Come here. How can I have a serious discussion with you way across that wide sea?”

Against her better judgement, Sparkle rolled onto her side and shimmied closer. With just a tiny effort, she could reach out to glide her hand over that hard jaw, slide her fingers over those sensual lips, and draw him to her for a long, drugging kiss. She resisted. “Well, will you?”

“You know, Holgarth told me something interesting.”

Uh-oh. She braced herself.

“He said you’d told him to draw up the papers making him a partner in Live the Fantasy just in case he was left to run it alone. That’s a pretty expensive giveaway.” Mede raised one brow signaling that the ball was in her court.

Sparkle lifted her chin, signaling her willingness to go to battle on this. “Holgarth has worked hard for this place. He deserves a reward.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “Besides, as I told Eric not so long ago, love is always expensive.”

Silence filled the space between them. Shadows hid his expression. She refused to look away. “If you leave, I’m going with you. The Castle of Dark Dreams is only the second love of my life.”

Could he hear her heart pounding, sense all of her dreams teetering on the edge? Would his decision tip her into the abyss?

He made an impatient sound and then drew her to him. She rested her head against his chest, listened to the steady beat of his heart, and absorbed the heat of him that had given her comfort through so many years. She wouldn’t lose him.

His laughter vibrated against her cheek. Now that was just mean. She punched him in the arm. “Don’t laugh. It isn’t funny.” Good. Anger kept the tears at bay.

“No need to pack your bags, sexy lady. I’m staying. I’ve made arrangements for the main office to be moved here. Galveston will have the only time travel agency on Earth.”

Okay, now the tears came. Angrily, she scrubbed them away. Dumb tears. “Do you know what brought me back from chasing that white light?” She blinked away the waterworks and smiled at him. “It was seriously tempting, you know. Resisting it was tough.”

His grim expression said she wouldn’t be chasing any white lights ever again. “Hey, it had to be your deep and abiding love for me. Of course, I’m worth it.

“Oh, sure. Deep and abiding whatever. But mostly it was what you owed me.”

He looked insulted. “Owed you?”

“Sure. Remember long ago, that castle where we made love on the banquet table while everyone else was out getting it on with the rose bushes?”

He grinned. “It’s seared into my memory.”

She paused to kiss the side of his neck where his pulse beat strong. He was the most “alive” person she’d ever known. How lucky was it that he was hers? “You made me a promise then. We’d do it in another castle, on another table, sometime in the future. No way would I let you cheat me out of that.”

He burned hot at the thought. “It’s definitely going to happen.”

Sparkle nodded. “Good. I hate promise-breakers.” She paused to think. “Now that the table thing is settled, maybe we should talk about our future.”

“I guess you want to settle down. Do the whole white picket fence, country cottage, and friendly-neighbors routine.” Ganymede didn’t know if he would live through that future. But for her? He’d try.

She considered it. “A picket fence would be nice. But it would have to be sparkly. With fake skulls on each point. Have to keep things interesting.”

He bit his lip to keep from laughing. “The cottage?”

“Sounds a little dreary, doesn’t it? Besides, a cottage would never be big enough for all my shoes and stuff.”

Things were looking up. “So maybe a castle. Like the Castle of Dark Dreams?”

Her face lit up. “Exactly.”

“What about the friendly neighbors? Will you be baking up batches of cookies to take to them?”

She looked horrified. “Ugh. Do I look like a suburban soccer mom to you?”

He shared her horror. “Never. Besides, you’re a terrible cook.”

Her smile returned. “There’s that, too.”

“Now for the most important part. Will we be putting away our wicked now that Zendig is gone?” He held his breath for her answer.

The silence stretched on and on and on. Finally, she sighed.

“I’d have to mess with people once in a while. I’m still the queen of sex and sin. It’s in my blood. I’m sure there’ll be loads of couples just waiting to hook up then have their hearts torn out.” She cast him a hopeful glance.

“Definitely. And you know, I can keep in shape with an earth trembler or a mini tsunami once in a while. Nothing too big. For the holidays we can vacation on some barren planet where I can destroy and destroy some more.” He got shivers just thinking about it.

“I suppose that just leaves the table.” She walked her fingers down his chest and paused to tweak his nipple.

He sucked in his breath. Right. The table. Had to make it happen soon. “Tomorrow sound good to you?”

“I’ll make sure the Castle’s cleared by the time we go down in the morning. It won’t be hard. No guests, and almost everyone else has left. You’ll find me sitting on the banquet table in the great hall.” She offered him a sly grin. “I’m only bringing my shoes. I have these fabulous heels covered with diamonds. Very special.”

“You’ll be wearing one more thing.” He reached behind him to fumble at the drawer to the bedside table. Inside he found what he searched for and drew it out. Ganymede held it up for her to see.

She gasped. “That’s the necklace Lucas…no, you gave me. How?” Sparkle reached for it.

He helped her fasten it around her neck. “Eric’s fantasies are real. You know that. Don’t ask me how he manipulates his universes. Just accept that he does. I kept this for you.”

Sparkle smoothed her finger over the word “Wicked” as tears filled her eyes. “Thank you.”

Ganymede leaned close. “I’ll meet you tomorrow. I won’t be wearing a necklace.”

She met his gaze. “I remember the first time I saw you. Naked. You were standing on the beach alone with your hair blowing and your skin gleaming from the spray. A storm was closing in behind you, and you looked like a god.” She smiled. “You still do.”

She stared at him, and he saw his forever in her eyes.

Then she laughed. “So I guess we’ll be keeping our wicked ways?”

“Always.” He lowered his head and took her in a long, drugged kiss.

Sparkle looked a little dazed when he released her. She blinked. “Oh, about the table. I’ll bring the ice cream.” She smiled. “I can do wicked things with vanilla.”

And she did.