Epilogue
Aleron was eager to participate in Tashama’s coronation that day, with so much more going on than at his.
He was thrilled for her. Balthazar had tracked down three of her friends from the farther reaches of their kingdoms—Princess Talamaya, Princess Mexia, and Princess Kersta.
Everyone was delighted to be there with their friends.
Queen Talamaya had told them all about their wild adventures while retrieving the Scepter of Salvation and of marrying the barbarian king, as he was affectionately known to be.
Princess Mexia had managed to help take over the mage school for sorceresses, and women were now allowed to attend, and she was married to a prince who co-led the school.
And Princess Kersta had helped save Prince Argon’s sister, all the while he had wanted Kersta for his own.
They were fascinating tales that included a grumpy dwarf adventurer and delighted everyone.
Even Tashama’s dragon and her male companion sat high above on the parapets and flew down to give an exciting fire display.
Balthazar and Carission had become friends, exchanging secrets between mages, which in and of itself was a remarkable thing.
Anyone in the two kingdoms who disagreed with the way things had gone, including Deveal and Oshon and his wife, was sent away to make their way in the world, even at the request to stay.
Aleron couldn’t have any of them remain who might still be a threat to his queen.
Loran was made to pay the price for the ultimate betrayal of killing her parents and killing so many others in the nonstop wars.
Most of all, Aleron was glad that Balthazar had sent Tashama to him, which, in the end, decided taking her for his mate was the only choice he had—and the right choice all around.
“What are you thinking?” Tashama asked him as they participated in the royal feast that was combined with the coronation and their wedding.
Aleron had been so sweet, wanting them to have one big celebration for each, not together. But all life with him would be a celebration.
Besides, they planned another wedding celebration in Maldovia.
“That I found the one in my dreams, and I couldn’t have been luckier.”
“Oh, me too.”
“You told Listra she would find a mate.”
“The colonel whom she had fainted in front of? He will become a general, overseeing troops alongside General Karam. And how will her position be elevated? She is my advisor on women’s issues, along with Balthazar.”
“And Carissian?”
“He can remain your advisor.”
Aleron laughed.
The prophecy had been fulfilled. Tashama had found her mate, discovered the murderers of her family, and led her people to victory. She returned home as she’d always said she would. Combining the two kingdoms was easy under Aleron and her rule.
Peace and prosperity spread across the land. The real challenge was changing the Karthlander and Maldovian’s view of women. Overnight, the veils were cast aside. Deeper notions would take years to overcome, but Tashama prepared herself to meet the difficulties head-on.
But the first order of business was making sure they had heirs for the thrones for both kingdoms—definitely one of the most rewarding parts of their job.
“The dragons laid fifteen eggs today,” Tashama said, taking a drink of his wine.
He smiled. “That’s three more than yesterday.”
“Without peace reigning in the region, it wouldn’t have happened.”
“I agree. If anyone wars on us now, we’ll have two kingdoms to fight them off.”
“Nobody would dare, love of my life.”
“Nobody would. Can we slip off to your chambers yet?”
“You have been asking that since the coronation and wedding ended.”
“Nobody will notice.”
“Everyone will notice. But that’s all right. Let’s go, heart of mine. Let’s make some offspring of our own.”
And that was only the beginning of a loving relationship, which resulted in both of their prophecies coming true when they had a beautiful boy and a girl.
The End