Epilogue
Two Eventides Later
Wren’s breathless laughter echoed through the stairwell.
She glanced over her shoulder and spotted Castien’s dark curls not far behind.
A squeal escaped her. His chuckles chased her up the stairs.
She had teased Castien about the way he looked when he was brooding over something.
The raise of his brow was her only warning before he lunged for her.
She narrowly escaped his grasp and then ran to the Watchtower.
She leapt up the stone steps as fast as her feet would carry her, which was rather difficult in her day gown.
Wren clutched her pink skirts in her fists.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly from her quick pace.
She lifted her arms in triumph when her foot touched the top of the stairs.
Only to be grabbed by Castien right after.
Wren giggled as he spun her around the circular room at the tower’s peak, his chest pressed to her back.
Her dress blossomed outward like the petals of the peonies in the castle gardens.
Castien set her back on her feet, but he did not loosen his grip.
Instead, he pulled her close and spoke against her ear.
“Did you truly think you’d escape me, dearest?”
Wren smiled and laid her hands over his arms that were wrapped around her waist. She felt his joy wash over her like a warm breeze.
All of Enlight lay before them. Buildings of various heights were cast in shades of amber.
People milled about in carriages or on foot.
Sails of ships in port billowed as a gust of wind swept over the city, carrying with it a hint of salt and spring flowers.
“I wasn’t trying to escape you,” Wren said, her words interspersed between panting breaths. “I was trying to trap you. And I was successful.”
Castien chuckled. The sound sent tingles all the way to her toes.
“It seems to me that of the two of us, you are the one who is trapped.” He squeezed her waist with meaning.
“Perhaps you’re right,” she laughed. “Though I would argue that neither of us can be trapped if we are both willing.”
“So then has your mission failed?”
Wren shook her head. “No. I have wanted to watch the sunset with my husband,” she replied with a smile. “But he has been rather busy as of late. This allowed me to steal him away.”
“Mm, do you feel neglected, my love?” He brushed away her curls and pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin on her neck. Her toes curled.
“A little,” she lied.
Her eyes fluttered shut as he kissed from her neck to her shoulder.
Wren couldn’t truthfully say that Castien neglected her.
He was the most attentive husband in all the Seven Havens.
She never wanted for anything, and he spent all of his free time with her.
But rumors of war had come across the waters this Eventide.
Such news meant Castien spent longer hours in his study or in meetings with advisors and his father, the emperor.
So while she could not fault him, Wren found herself greedier than usual when it came to Castien’s time and presence.
“That can be easily remedied,” he whispered against her skin.
Wren’s breath caught. Desire pooled deep within her abdomen.
Castien splayed a hand over the very spot the warmth was gathering, sending heat all over her body.
His need for her pulsed beneath her skin, intertwining with her own in an intoxicating dance she had come to know well.
They had been married a little over a year now, and in that time, Castien had fought back the darkness of Wren’s past. The pain had not disappeared entirely.
Wren wasn’t sure she would ever be fully free of it.
But she had been allowed moments like these.
Moments where she could relish in her husband’s passion without guilt or shame.
Castien tasted the skin below her ear. Wren’s knees weakened. She clutched Castien’s arms.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured in a low, sultry tone before pressing another heated kiss to her pulse point. “Enjoy the sunset, dearest. I’ll take care of you.”
Wren melted against him. He trailed slow, tantalizing kisses across her skin. She savored each one, like the final bite of a honeycake. Warm and sticky sweet. Her lips parted—
And then she heard the slapping sound of footsteps coming up the stairwell. Castien paused, his mouth hovering above Wren’s skin.
“If you two are busy admiring the sunset, don’t let me disturb you, but your presence has been requested at dinner,” Finn called out.
Castien let out a low growl, while Wren simply laughed.
“Finnick, if you don’t leave this instant, I’m going to throw you off the top of the Watchtower,” Castien threatened.
“I’d like to see you try, cousin,” Finn yelled in return.
“Go. Away.”
Wren’s shoulders shook.
“I’m going, I’m going.” Wren heard his footsteps pick up again. “You know, I think marriage has somehow made you moodier than before.” Finn’s voice was faint as he made his way down the stairs. “You’d think it would be the opposite, but …”
Wren pressed her lips together to stifle her laughter.
“I’m going to strangle him,” Castien groused.
“He does have a tendency to show up at inopportune times,” Wren admitted with a giggle. “Perhaps we should find him a wife. Then he can torture her instead of us.”
Castien sighed. “I have a feeling that when Finn finds a wife, we’ll have more trouble, not less.”
“Hmm, you might be right. He’s certain to make a mess of things with those impulsive tendencies of his.”
“Very true. But that's enough talk about my dear cousin.” Castien nuzzled Wren’s neck. “I believe we were in the middle of something rather important before he interrupted.”
Wren let out a sigh. “We should probably head to dinner. Your mother has expressed missing you and your father both this week.”
“She can wait. You are my priority.” Castien drew her closer.
Wren closed her eyes for a moment and rested against him.
“Let’s return to this tonight when we’re alone in our chambers. Less risk of interruptions,” Wren breathed.
Castien pressed a soft kiss to the spot where Wren’s neck met her shoulder.
“Very well, let us hurry to dinner. I want as much time with you as I am allowed. I despise being apart so much, you know.”
She smiled.
“I know.”
Wren never had to guess how much Castien loved her.
Not only because of her Gift, but because he showed her each and every day.
Their chambers were filled with vases of peonies.
She never went more than two days without receiving a letter from him, though they shared a bed every night.
Castien showered her with affection and kisses.
He combated her fears and carved out a place for her to feel safe enough to experience marriage in the fullest sense of the word.
Something she never thought she would have.
Love found Wren during one of the darkest seasons of her life.
Though she thought herself broken, tainted, and worthless, Castien had proved those fears wrong.
They’d fought for healing together, and now here she stood, bathed in the golden light of the sun.
Happy. At peace. Capable of not only giving love, but receiving it.
All because of a man who saw her when she didn’t want to be seen.
Who transcribed his soul in ink for her to read.
Wren turned around to face that man. She pulled Castien’s mouth down to hers and kissed him with all that she had.
His love joined hers, bounding like little foxes in a meadow.
Her heart soared higher than the tower they stood in.
Over the course of their relationship, Wren and Castien had encouraged one another through trials by reminding each other they had forever. There was no rush. They had all the time in the world to heal.
Wren melted against Castien. The setting sun warmed her back.
Then there were moments like these, where the shadows were far, far away.
The voices that told Wren she wasn’t enough were dormant.
Her grief was so faint she could almost forget it was there.
Still, Wren found herself thinking we have forever with a smile on her face.
Because after years of dreading her future, forever was finally something worth looking forward to.
—