Crowned (Santa Catalina University)

Chapter 44

The stars above Aerwyna shine brighter than I’ve ever seen them, as if the heavens themselves are celebrating with us. The balcony stretches wide beneath my feet, the cool stone smooth against my skin as I lean on the rail, looking out over the kingdom. Lanterns dot the streets below, glowing like fireflies in the night. The air hums with a quiet energy, the faint sounds of laughter and conversation rising from the city. It’s the sound of life returning, of hope taking root.

The breeze carries the scents of blooming flowers and freshly tilled earth, mingling with the faint tang of sea salt. It’s a reminder that even amidst the devastation, Aerwyna is alive. And so am I.

Behind me, I hear the soft murmur of voices, the familiar cadence of the men I love. Vance, Bhodi, Reef, and Cove – each of them a constant in the storm that has been my life. Together, they’ve been my anchor, my strength, my family. Without them, I don’t know if I would have made it this far.

I turn to find them standing together, their presence as steady and comforting as the stars above. Vance is closest, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his expression thoughtful but soft. Bhodi leans casually against the wall, his grin playful but his eyes warm. Reef stands a little apart, his hands in his pockets, his quiet intensity as grounding as ever. And Cove, despite the lingering pain from his injuries, is smiling, his warmth radiating even in the cool night air.

For a moment, I just look at them, my heart full to bursting. They’ve given me so much – more than I ever thought I deserved. And now, as we stand on the cusp of a new era, I feel the depth of my love for them more keenly than ever.

Vance steps forward first, his eyes meeting mine. There’s a softness in his gaze that he rarely shows to anyone but me. He reaches out, his hand brushing against my cheek, and I lean into his touch.

“Malia,” he says, his voice low but steady. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were different. Strong, even when you didn’t believe it yourself. You’ve carried this kingdom, this family, through so much. And through it all, you’ve shown a strength that humbles me every day.”

He pauses, his thumb brushing a stray tear from my cheek. “I’ve fought for you, bled for you, and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. You are my queen, my heart, my everything. And I swear to you, I will stand by your side for the rest of my life. No matter what comes, I’m yours.”

His words hit me like a wave, and I feel my throat tighten with emotion. “Vance,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “You’ve been my rock, my strength. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

He smiles softly, his hand still cradling my cheek. “You didn’t need me, Malia. But I’m glad you let me stand with you.”

Bhodi clears his throat, breaking the moment with a teasing grin. “Well, if Vance is going to start making grand declarations, I guess I’d better step up too.”

He pushes off the wall and steps closer, his usual swagger softened by the warmth in his eyes. “Malia, you’ve made me believe in things I didn’t think were possible. You’ve shown me what it means to fight for something bigger than myself. But more than that, you’ve shown me what it means to love. Real love. The kind that makes you want to be better, to do better.”

He reaches out, taking my hands in his. “I know I can be a pain in the arse sometimes, but I promise you this – I’ll spend the rest of my life making you laugh, making you smile, and fighting for you. For us. You’re stuck with me now, whether you like it or not.”

I laugh through my tears, squeezing his hands. “Bhodi, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Reef steps forward next, his movements quiet and deliberate, as if he’s spent hours choosing the right words. His dark eyes meet mine, and for a moment, he just looks at me, his expression filled with something so raw and deep that it takes my breath away.

“Malia,” he begins, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve changed everything for me. You’ve given me a purpose, a reason to fight. But more than that, you’ve given me a home. A place where I belong.”

He pauses, his hands clenching slightly at his sides. “I’m not always good with words, but I need you to know this: I love you. More than I’ve ever loved anything in my life. And I will protect you, and this family, with everything I am. Always.”

Tears spill down my cheeks as I step closer, wrapping my arms around him. “Reef, you’ve always belonged. And I’m so glad you found your place with us.”

Finally, Cove steps forward, his movements slower, more careful. His injuries have left him weaker, but his spirit is as strong as ever. He takes my hand, his fingers warm and steady.

“Malia,” he says, his voice soft but filled with conviction. “You’ve brought so much light into my life. Even in the darkest moments, you’ve been my hope, my anchor. You’ve made me believe in a future worth fighting for. And I want you to know, I will always fight for you. For us. For the family we’re building together.”

He pauses, his smile growing softer. “You’re not just my queen, Malia. You’re my heart. My home. And I will spend every day of my life making sure you know how much you mean to me.”

I can’t hold back the tears anymore as I pull him into a gentle hug, careful not to hurt him. “Cove, you’ve given me more love than I ever thought I deserved. Thank you for being you.”

As I pull back, I look at the four of them, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “You’ve all given me so much. Your love, your strength, your trust. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I promise you this – I will love you, fight for you, and stand with you for the rest of my life. You’re my family. My everything.”

We stand together on the balcony, the stars above us and the kingdom below. The air is quiet, peaceful, as if the universe itself is holding its breath, watching this moment unfold.

I place my hand over my stomach, feeling the faint movements of the triplets within me. “This is just the beginning,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. “Together, we’re going to build something beautiful.”

Vance steps closer, his hand resting over mine. “We already have,” he says softly.

As the stars shine above and the sounds of Aerwyna’s recovery drift up to us, I know one thing for certain: the worst is behind us, and the future is bright. Together, we will make it brighter still.