Epilogue
FOUR MONTHS LATER
“Ican’t see anything with this blindfold on,” Ava said, Casimir’s hand clasped in hers.
“That’s the point,” he said with a chuckle. “No blindfold jokes this time?”
Ava laughed, smiling to herself at the memory of Casimir blindfolding her to practice training on a child’s obstacle course.
It had been almost four months since the war ended. Since Ava sent Lomos back to the realm of the gods and sealed it shut forever. Since they lost Aelerion and many others in their fight against the ancient god and his stolen daemon army.
Oakshire was being rebuilt, but it had a long way to go.
And right where Ava had banished Lomos, in the clearing where she’d died and been brought back, a statue had been erected.
A statue of her, carved from the most beautiful stone that glimmered like opal when the sun hit it just right.
Dozens of animals had been hewn from the same stone, placed around her as if they were worshiping at her feet.
The lost princess who saved their world.
The monument was surrounded by hundreds of flowers that never stopped blooming. As if her magic had bled into the earth and sustained the beauty forever.
It was strange having a memorial dedicated solely to her and the attention for what she had done was still taking some getting used to. It was rare for her to walk down the street without a citizen thanking her or just staring at her in awe.
“Are we almost there?” Ava asked.
“Just a few more minutes. So impatient, love.”
“I’m excited.”
He squeezed her hand.
Casimir had been busy these last few months, spending most afternoons in meetings and helping with the aftermath of war. And aiding with the transition of the position of general to someone else.
Because Casimir had retired.
He no longer wanted to oversee their forces, tired of the constant vigilance. And now that Deidamia and Andras were gone, he didn’t feel the need. Didn’t have the vengeance that fueled him since childhood. Besides, someone else had proven their worth and was already making a fantastic general.
Ava and Thorne had a long discussion about her duties as princess.
And knowing she didn’t want to rule alongside him, as he’d offered, they agreed she would be consulted on decisions and attend regular meetings.
But he had no specific expectations of her beyond this.
Only that she remained educated in the workings of the kingdom and all it entailed in case she needed to step in and help.
Casimir and Ava wanted a quiet life, longing to settle into their world together at last. A world now free of constant peril around every corner. Where they could truly unwind and just…live. Something they had never been able to do.
Ava’s boots echoed on the cobblestones as Casimir continued to lead her. It sounded like they were walking through town, but the noise of citizens in the streets had quieted not long ago, as if they were now somewhere more secluded. But where in the world were they going?
Casimir tugged her to a stop. “We’re here.”
Ava trembled with excitement and nerves, anxious to see what top secret surprise he’d had been planning all these months. Maybe it was another trip to the animal rescue. Or some new fancy tea house.
But when he removed the blindfold with shaky hands, her breath caught in her throat and every muscle in her body froze.
Before her was a massive tree. Its large trunk led to branches that fanned out, covered in vibrant yellow leaves and purple flowers.
Dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy, illuminating a beautiful yard filled with green grasses and a rainbow of flowers growing along a white picket fence.
An archway sat in the center of the fence over a stone walkway leading to a large two-story cottage built into the tree trunk.
“What is this?” Ava asked.
His lips twitched and he lifted her hand to his mouth, pressing a tender kiss on her knuckles. “Home.”
“What?” she whispered, her eyes already wet.
“Come. I’ll show you.” He tugged her along.
They entered the yard and Ava tried to take in every detail. The quaint flower beds, dirt tilled and ready for planting. The bird bath in the corner, occupied with several songbirds splashing around. The stepping stone path leading to the side of the house.
Casimir stopped before the entrance and Ava sucked in a breath. Carved into the wooden door was a scene of Luna, Aro and Titus, surrounded by plants and flowers and trees.
“Cas…did you…” Ava ran her fingers along Aro’s face in awe.
“Did I make that door? Yes.”
She threw herself into his arms for a hug. “This is the most perfect door I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
His chest vibrated with a laugh as he wrapped his arms around her. “Well, there’s much more to see. Let’s go inside.”
He turned the brass handle, the door swinging wide. Casimir ran a hand through his hair, almost nervously. As if he was worried she wouldn’t like it.
They stood in a charming entryway. A wooden chandelier carved with animals hung above them, glowing with warm light. Ava recognized his handiwork in that too.
“Wait…did you build this entire house?”
He shook his head. “No. But there are things in here I did carve. To make it ours.”
“When did you have time for all of this? I thought you'd been in all those meetings.”
He smiled sheepishly.
“You weren’t in meetings as much as you said you were, huh?”
“No.”
“Sneaky brute,” she said. He squeezed her hip.
Ava began to explore, heart racing with excitement and swelling larger with every passing second. Wooden walls brought warmth to the space. Tall glass windows were cracked open to allow in a breeze. Plants and vines hung along the ceiling.
The living room was decorated with a blue and green rug, subtle floral patterns throughout the woven fabric. Couches and chairs in velvet browns and greens framed a roaring cobblestone fireplace, the wooden mantle carved with vines and flowers.
There were hints of Casimir’s handiwork everywhere. The mantel. Little designs in the door frames. Animals carved into the handles of the kitchen cabinets. Each light fixture. Wooden bowls on the countertop. The legs of the dining table and chairs.
“This kitchen is perfect,” she whispered, staring at the large oven and stove.
It had ample counter space, an island in the center, and plenty of storage. Windows overlooked the back yard, but the cream-colored curtains were currently drawn so she couldn’t see outside.
“Since you love to cook, you need something with plenty of space. And remember, I said I would do the dishes.”
“And rub my feet after,” Ava teased.
“Every night if you wish.” Casimir grabbed her hand again and led her back toward the entryway. “Come see upstairs.”
Ava swallowed the lump in her throat, completely overwhelmed. They reached the landing and Casimir led her into the first room.
“A library?” she gasped.
“I know it’s small. But since we both love to read so much, I thought it might be nice.”
“It’s perfect,” she breathed. “Everything about this house is perfect.”
The room was dark, wall-to-wall bookshelves filled with tomes. Two large cozy chairs sat near another fireplace, throw blankets arranged carefully on their cushions. A rusty colored rug finished the space.
Casimir tugged her to the next room. A small bedroom. For guests, he explained. Just in case.
Lastly, he opened a set of double doors to the room at the end of the hallway. Their bedroom. A four poster bed took up the far wall, swathed in cream and sage green fabrics. The blankets and sheets looked so soft, so comfortable, Ava wanted to dive in immediately.
Vines grew above the canopy, with sheer curtains pulled together at each corner. A large window overlooked the yard and Ava strode across the plush rug to take in the view.
She let out a sob. Warm hands wrapped around her waist from behind, Casimir resting his chin on the top of her head.
“Is that…like a mini flower farm?” Ava asked.
“Mmm hmm. I wanted to make sure you had a place to grow your flowers.”
“I don’t even know what to say,” she whispered, sniffling.
The backyard was covered in sunlight, framed with the same white fence as the front. Empty flower beds were arranged in rows, perfect for growing blooms to cut and display. Aro and Luna dozed under a tree in the back corner while Titus zoomed in the branches above, catching insects.
“What’s that?” Ava pointed to a small wooden shed.
“My woodworking studio.”
She ran her hands back and forth along Casimir’s arms as she let the tears fall.
“One wall opens all the way so I can sit in there and whittle while you work in the garden. And we can still see each other.”
Ava turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. “You sneaky…wonderful…giant…adorable…brute,” she said in between kisses.
She jumped, throwing her legs around his waist. He caught her thighs and pressed her against a wall, groaning as she plunged her tongue in his mouth.
“Ava,” he said. “You haven’t seen the bathroom yet…”
She broke the kiss and trailed her lips down his neck. “I don’t care about the bathroom.” She ran her tongue along his collar bone. He growled. “Show me later.”
“Alright, but we can’t do this now,” he said through heavy breaths.
He carried her back downstairs. “Where are you going?” she asked, still peppering his face and neck with kisses.
She couldn’t believe he had done all this for her. For them. And she wanted to be close to him. Needed to. Wanted to spend all day in that comfortable bed as they made love for hours.
He set her on the kitchen counter and held her face. “Later. I will take you to bed later and you can thank me then,” he said with a smirk. “But right now, you need to stop before I bend you over this kitchen table and fuck you until you’re screaming.”
Ava’s stomach fluttered. “Well, maybe I want you to fuck me over the kitchen table.”
“Well, we don’t want to hear it!” Raine’s voice came from outside.
Ava’s face heated. Casimir took a slow step forward and gripped her chin, placing a sensual kiss on her lips. “Well, then after everyone leaves…I will fuck you on every surface of this house. Of our home,” he murmured against her lips.
Her breath caught. “Okay. Our home.” Her voice was hoarse.
“Hurry up, you two,” Raine said. “We’re starving out here.”
Ava pulled back. “Wait. What? Everyone? We?”
Casimir grasped her hand again, pulling her to the back door. “Your last surprise.”
Ava was assaulted with yells and shouts as they stepped onto the deck. A pergola stood over them, swathed in purple wisteria, the fragrant scent hovering in the air.
A large table with enough bench seating for at least a dozen or more people sat in the center, covered in dishes. Steaming vegetables. Roasted meats and potatoes. Several types of baked goods. Rolls, bread. Desserts. Sauces. Goblets and goblets of deep red wine.
And around that table was everyone. Her friends and family.
Kai and Jorrar stood beside Isolde. Her children ran around the yard, squealing with joy as Luna—now awake—and their own companions ran along with them.
Pax stood next to Fanya, still in his general’s attire, likely having come from some important meeting.
Quinn stood close to Thorne, holding his hand.
They’d begun to work things out over the last couple months and Ava smiled at them together.
Her eyes filled with tears. Raine grinned at her, his arm around Maeryn’s waist as she nuzzled into him.
“Well? What do you think?” Raine asked, as everyone took their seats at the table.
Ava picked up the wine goblet before her, taking a sip. She inhaled a deep sigh. “The house is amazing. It’s perfect. But…my favorite thing is that all of you are here.”
Casimir kissed the top of her head, took her plate and began to fill it. Her heart warmed at all the ways he still took care of her. No matter how long it had been.
The others followed suit, visiting as they filled their own plates, passing the food back and forth, laughter and joy filling the air.
“Ava,” Maeryn said from across the table. “You have a beautiful kitchen. So much space.”
“Thank you.”
“Just ask her, Firefly,” Raine urged.
“Ask me what?” Ava said.
Maeryn looked nervous for some reason. And she never looked nervous.
Raine kissed the top of Maeryn’s hand before speaking. “She wants you to bake the cake for our wedding. She just didn’t want to inconvenience you.”
Ava practically bounced in her seat with excitement. “Really? Yes! Oh yes! I’ll make the best cake you’ve ever had in your life. How long do we have? Three weeks?” she rambled. “Tell me what flavors you like, and I’ll make a bunch of small trial cakes. And you can come over and test them and—”
“I don’t think she’s inconvenienced,” Raine said to Maeryn, looking at her with affection.
Casimir leaned over and whispered in Ava’s ear, “You’re doing that thing I like. Rambling when you get excited.”
“I’ll never stop, then.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Please, don’t.”
“Brother,” Fanya chastised from her seat. “I own a bakery, and you didn’t ask me?”
Raine grimaced. “You’re an excellent baker. The best pastries in town. And…I’m sorry to say this, but Ava’s cakes are better.”
Fanya feigned offense, then laughed.
Ava sipped her wine, a quiet spectator in this beautiful, ordinary scene.
The siblings continued to tease each other.
Thorne and Quinn murmured to one another and blushed.
Pax’s rumbling laugh echoed as he told a story about some of the new recruits in the army.
Isolde called for her children to come eat, and they shrieked excitedly as they rushed over.
Raine whispered something to Maeryn, both of them smiling.
Jorrar kissed Kai’s forehead with tenderness.
Casimir’s hand moved to Ava’s hair, gently toying with it.
Ava’s heart was full to bursting with love and gratitude as she took in this vibrant, perfectly imperfect group of people. There was no room for worry or fear any longer. In this moment, she had everything she had ever needed.
Family. Friends. Joy. Love. Peace. Healing. Belonging.
And home.