Epilogue Five Years Later
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Daciana
“I don’t see why we have to go when you’re expecting,” Kieran says, watching me pack another bag. I just know his arms are crossed over his chest, with that stubborn set to his jaw that usually means he has already lost the argument but refuses to admit it.
I don’t even look up from folding Veer’s tiny dresses. “It’s Selene’s first baby.”
“I know that, but—”
“I’m not going to miss it.” I turn to face him, one hand resting on the slight swell of my stomach. “She’s one of my best friends. I was there for Astra when Jaylene was born. I’m going to be there for Selene, too.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But why are we taking all three children?”
“All three?” I laugh, moving to him and sliding my arms around his waist. “Kieran, Anson has only been to the palace once. He barely remembers it. And the girls have never met Astra or Selene properly. I want to introduce them.”
His hands settle on my hips, and the sensation is warm and familiar. “They’re going to cause chaos wherever they go.”
“They’re always causing chaos.” I rise on my toes to kiss his cheek. “But they’re our chaos.”
He smiles at that—one of those rare, soft smiles. “True. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
An hour later, we’re standing in front of the shimmering portal in our courtyard. Anson bounces on his toes, his dark hair—so like Kieran’s—falling into his eyes. He’s four now, all energy and curiosity and questions that never stop.
“Mama, will there be other kids there?” he asks for the third time.
“Yes, sweetheart. Queen Astra has a daughter. She’s a little older than you.”
“What’s her name again?”
“Jaylene.”
Bella tugs on my hand. She’s three, with my eyes and Kieran’s serious expression. “Mama, I don’t want to go through the portal. It feels weird.”
I crouch down to her level, smoothing her hair back. “I know, baby. But it’s the fastest way. And your papa will hold your hand the whole time.”
Veer, almost two, clings to Kieran’s leg. She hasn’t said a word all morning, just watches everything with those huge eyes of hers. She’s the quiet one, the observer. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that little head.
“Ready?” Kieran asks, and there’s gentleness in his voice. The quality he only uses with me and our children.
I nod. He takes Bella’s hand and hoists Veer up onto his hip. I take Anson’s hand, squeezing tight, and we step through together.
The portal feels like drowning and flying at the same time. My stomach lurches, the world spins wildly, and then we’re stumbling out onto smooth, marble floors.
The palace courtyard spreads before us, familiar and yet always breathtaking. Five years of visiting, and I still catch my breath at the sight of the white stone gleaming in the sunlight, the gardens stretching as far as I can see.
“Daciana!”
I look up and there she is. Astra. My friend. My queen.
She’s moving toward me, arms outstretched, and after dropping my son’s hand, I’m running before I can think about it. We collide in a hug that nearly knocks us both over, laughing and crying at the same time.
“I missed you,” she says into my shoulder.
“I missed you, too.” I pull back to look at her. “You look good. Tired, but good.”
“Selene’s been driving me crazy with all her preparations.” Astra rolls her eyes, but there’s fondness there. “She’s nesting like a madwoman.”
A small hand tugs on Astra’s dress, and I look down to see a little girl peeking out from behind her. Jaylene. Gods, she’s beautiful. Long, dark hair like Lucian’s, Astra’s delicate features, and those striking eyes that seem to see everything.
I crouch down to the ground, making myself smaller, less threatening. “Hello, Jaylene.”
She looks at her mother, uncertain.
“Go on,” Astra says gently. “This is my friend I told you about. You can say hello.”
Jaylene takes a tentative step forward, then another. Her small hand reaches out, and I take it carefully. Her fingers are warm and soft.
“Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi, sweetness.” I smile at her. “I’ve heard so much about you. Your mama tells me you’re learning to garden?”
She nods, a tiny smile blooming on her face.
“That’s wonderful. Maybe you can show me later!” I glance back at where my children hover behind Kieran. “I brought someone for you to meet. Would you like that?”
Another nod.
I gesture to Anson. “Come here, baby.”
He steps forward, all confidence until he actually sees Jaylene. He stops dead, his eyes going wide. A flush creeps up his neck.
I watch it happen in real time. The way he straightens his shoulders. The way he suddenly becomes very aware of his hair falling in his face. The way he stares at her like she’s made of starlight.
Oh no.
“This is my oldest, Anson,” I say, trying not to laugh.
Anson just stares. And stares.
Then he says, loudly enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear, “Mama, she’s so pretty!”
Astra and I burst into laughter at the same time. I feel my face flush, half mortified and half delighted. That’s my boy—direct as always.
Before I can say anything, there’s movement behind Astra. Lucian appears, moving with that silent, predatory grace that still makes my warrior instincts sit up and take notice. His eyes lock onto Jaylene, then shift to Anson, and his entire demeanor darkens.
In one smooth motion, he swoops in, scoops Jaylene up into his arms, and starts walking away.
“No,” he says flatly. “Not today. Not ever.”
“Lucian!” Astra calls after him, but she’s laughing too hard to sound stern.
“I mean it!” he calls back without turning around. “She’s five! And he’s four! It starts with ‘she’s pretty’ and ends with me killing suitors!”
“Papa, put me down!” Jaylene giggles, squirming in his grip.
“Absolutely not. We’re going inside where there are no boys around.”
I grin at Astra, who shakes her head, still laughing. “He’s been like this since the day she was born,” she says. “The male guards aren’t even allowed to make eye contact with her.”
“Can you blame him?” I stand back up, watching Lucian disappear into the palace with his daughter. “She’s gorgeous. And judging by Anson’s reaction, he’s already smitten.”
“They’re just kids,” Astra says, but she’s grinning. “Though Lucian acts like she’s already eighteen and about to elope.”
I laugh, then turn to properly introduce my other children. “These are my daughters, Bella and Veer.”
Astra crouches down, her smile warm and genuine. “Hello, beautiful girls. I’m so happy to meet you.”
Bella, ever the brave one, steps forward and curtsies—somewhat clumsily, but the effort is there. “Hello, Your Majesty.”
“You can call me Astra,” she says gently. “We’re family.”
Veer just stares, thumb in her mouth.
“Come on,” Astra says, rising. “Let’s get you all settled in. Selene is resting right now, but she’ll be thrilled to see you later. And I’m sure Lucian will let Jaylene come back out once he’s done being ridiculous.”
We follow her inside, the children chattering excitedly. Kieran’s hand finds mine, his fingers lacing through my own. I glance up at him, and he’s smiling—that rare, soft smile that’s just for me.
“See?” I murmur. “That wasn’t so bad.”
“Ask me again after Lucian tries to murder our son for looking at his daughter.”
I elbow him in the ribs.
Selene looks radiant.
That’s the only word for it. She is propped up in bed, her swollen belly enormous beneath the silk sheets, her blonde hair spread out on the pillows like a halo. When she sees me, her face lights up.
“Daciana!” She tries to sit up, but I’m already moving forward, pressing her back down.
“Don’t you dare,” I warn. “You’re on bedrest. That means you stay in bed.”
“I hate bedrest,” she grumbles, but she’s smiling. “I’m going insane with boredom.”
“Two more weeks,” Astra says from where she’s arranging flowers on the side table. “Then you get to meet your baby.”
“Two more weeks of Seth hovering over me like I’m made of crystal.” But there’s love in her voice, deep and unshakable.
I settle into the chair beside her bed, taking her hand. “How are you feeling? Really.”
“Huge. Uncomfortable. Ready to have this baby out of me.” She squeezes my fingers. “But also terrified. What if I’m a terrible mother?”
“You won’t be.” I say it with certainty. “You’re going to be amazing.”
“Says the woman with three perfect children.”
I laugh at that. “‘Perfect’ is not the word I’d use.
Anson asked me this morning why we have to sleep and couldn’t we just skip it.
Bella tried to climb a tree wearing her best dress and tore it to shreds.
And Veer ate an entire pot of honey before breakfast and was bouncing off the walls for hours. ”
That gets a real laugh from both of my friends.
“See?” Selene says. “You make it look easy.”
“It’s not easy. It’s chaos. Beautiful, exhausting chaos.” I touch my stomach. “And I’m about to add another one to the mix.”
“How are you feeling?” Astra asks, moving closer. “Any morning sickness?”
“Not this time, thank the gods. With Veer, I was ill for months.” I lean back in the chair. “Kieran’s already panicking about having four children. I caught him making a list of all the things that could go wrong.”
“Sounds like Lucian when I was pregnant with Jaylene,” Astra says. “He nearly drove me insane with all his precautions.”
We fall into easy conversation, the kind that only comes from years of friendship and shared history.
We talk about our children, our mates, the small details of our lives that feel both mundane and precious.
Astra tells us about Jaylene’s latest antics, how she has started sneaking into the kitchens to steal pastries.
Selene shares stories from her healing practice, the patients who make her laugh, the ones who test her patience.
And I tell them about the quiet life Kieran and I have built in the mountains. The pack that has thrived under his leadership. Our children who are growing up strong and happy. The peace we have finally found after all the darkness.