Epilogue
LANA, SIX MONTHS LATER
Ibrushed my fingers over the grey roses lining my garden.
Corbin had been right, they had come back to life, blooming even after Ellevail had fallen in my absence. With evil gone from the world—and with what I suspected was the remnants of my dear friend’s magic—it took barely any effort at all to get the place exactly as he’d created it.
After gathering a few more flowers to complete my bouquet, I stared up at the sun, letting it warm my face.
The past few months hadn’t been easy, but they’d been some of the best of my entire life.
I shifted my deep blue dress, cursing the layers of tulle as I kicked my feet, struggling to lift my skirts while holding the flowers.
“I swear, will there ever come a time when you aren’t looking like you’re desperate for my help?” Kalliah said from the bottom of the stairs.
I grinned. “Where would be the fun in that?”
“Come on,” she sighed. “Half your hair is out already.”
We climbed the stairs together and entered my chambers. With my garden behind here, I couldn’t face taking up residence in any other part of the castle. So, at the demand of my more elderly advisors, my rooms were slightly reimagined to accommodate a queenlier space.
That also made room for my king, who stayed true to his word and refused to leave Ellevail for any extended length of time.
I sat at my vanity while Kalliah took out pins and rearranged my hair, braiding the top and then gathering the rest to the side to drape down my shoulder.
A knock sounded at my door, and I called for whomever it was to enter.
Ian stepped into my room, carrying a tray of baked goods.
“I stole these but also spread a rumor in the kitchen that it was Leif. Lucinda is going to lose it,” he laughed.
“Leif is an advisor now, he can’t still be afraid of her,” I said, reaching for a chocolate croissant.
Kalliah snorted. “Yep, still afraid. He’s even got Jax running from her.”
“Oh? Does he now?” I teased, grinning at her in the mirror. “Where are your men at the moment?”
Ian laughed as Kalliah blushed. “Not my men.”
“Right. Jax was a flirt since I met him, yet you simply glance at him and he bows at your feet. One would think you’re the queen in his eyes. And don’t get me started on Leif.”
Kalliah scoffed.
“Do they play nicely together?” Ian teased, falling onto one of the chaises with biscuits in both hands as he propped up his feet.
“You would think that a queen and the Commander of Atheria’s forces would have a little decorum,” Kalliah huffed. “A miniscule amount at least.”
Ian and I said, “No,” in unison and laughed.
“Technically, I haven’t been crowned queen yet,” I argued.
Kalliah pinched my shoulder. “We’re getting ready for your coronation. I’d say you’re queen.”
My coronation. One I’d be doing alongside Kade. We’d assembled representatives from both Brookmere and Mysthaven, and in the month-long summit, the thing most readily agreed upon was that we’d both rule.
It wasn’t an issue, luckily, since according to Kade, once the political nonsense was over, we’d be having a wedding, something he claimed to be vital.
I bit my lip, remembering how I’d all but tackled him in a secluded hallway after that meeting, allowing him to put his shadows to very good use.
Another knock echoed in my chamber, and Ian jumped up. Raya and Storm both entered, dressed in stunning outfits for the occasion.
Ian swept Raya into a hug, pinning her to the wall next to the door as he kissed her.
“For fuck’s sake, you two,” Storm grumbled as he dodged out of the way. He straightened the collar of his black tunic.
“Don’t you look dashing.” I smiled at him as Kalliah pinned the last piece of my hair up.
Raya wore a gold dress, shimmering every time she moved, which was often considering Ian couldn’t keep his hands off her.
Storm wore a blue sash over his jacket, fiddling with it. “I don’t understand why there’s so many layers to this damn thing.”
I walked toward him, flipping a part of the sash that had twisted at his shoulder. “You’re the Duke of Mysthaven.” I grinned. “Titled and everything now. You represent half of the kingdom. You’re going to have to dress the part for official events.”
He rolled his eyes. “As my queen commands it,” he added, sounding irritated except for the small smile he gave me.
Jax stumbled in the room, followed closely by Leif. He ran in and kissed Kalliah on the cheek before diving for the tray of food. “Fates, I’m starving. Lana, if I’m going to be here, we need to talk about the lack of fresh apples in my room.”
Leif, smiling and shaking his head at Jax, kissed Kalliah’s other cheek before walking farther into the room.
“You mean Kalliah’s room?” I asked.
He narrowed his eyes. “Our room.”
“Maybe it’s not me who needs the extension to my rooms but my lady-in-waiting,” I teased her, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze in the mirror.
“I swear, one more word, Lan—” She paused suddenly.
A deep pink rose to her cheeks. Jax stopped eating and moved to go to her, but she swatted him away.
“You know what, actually, yes. It’s our room.
I’m with him.” She pointed to Leif. “And him.” She pointed to Jax.
“They’ve both crawled under my skin and I happen to love them, so there’s no need for anymore teasing.
” She sighed, brushing her hands along her dress before she nodded.
Jax jumped from the couch, undeterred this time by her shooing, and kissed her, cupping her face before pushing her body against Leif. “I have been waiting for this moment for months,” he sighed, grinning.
I laughed, clearing my throat. “Honestly, Kalliah, we just wanted you to finally admit it.”
She huffed, but there was no hiding her smile as her men flanked her, fussing over her in the way she deserved.
A shimmering black hole appeared by the fireplace, and Lucien jumped out of it, no longer hiding in corners when he used his magic. Kade followed a moment later.
I ran across the room, jumping into his arms. While I didn’t fear his trips to Mysthaven, the bond in my chest only settled when he was close.
He rested his hands on either side of my neck, tilting my chin with his thumb as he kissed me deeply. “Fates, I missed you.”
“It was two days,” Jax said through a stuffed mouth.
Kade shot him a look. “You left after one because of ‘urgent matters’ back here.”
Jax grinned and shrugged.
Lucien twirled in a circle and collapsed onto the cushioned bed Jax had made for him. He’d found someone in Mysthaven to use their magic on it so Lucien’s tail didn’t rip the fabric. He’d officially become the most spoiled pugron alive.
Well, the only pugron alive that we knew of right now.
Perhaps I’d have to let him run in the Southern Forest to see if there were more in Atheria.
After all, he could simply portal us there.
We were forever grateful for those particular abilities, allowing us to avoid wasting so much time traveling between the two palaces.
Especially for Raya, Jax, and Storm, who still had duties to tend to in Mysthaven.
Kade had already made it clear he would not be residing in Mysthaven at all, hence immediately pronouncing Storm his successor and placing him in charge.
“Everything okay?” I asked my mate, adjusting the pins atop my head delicately to keep Kalliah from yelling at me for ruining her masterpiece.
He nodded. “Everything is signed, the advisors we selected are in place, and all are ready for their duke’s return after the coronation.”
“I still can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Storm said. “I’m not royalty.”
“Technically, you are now,” Kade said, clasping his shoulder. “Think of it as payment for all the shit you put up with.”
“Oh, by giving me more shit to deal with? Perfect.” He shoved Kade playfully.
“I heard some of the former nobles were going to Mysthaven to show unity among our people,” I said, reaching down on my vanity for Kade’s mother’s necklace.
Kade’s eyes softened as he watched me put it on.
Storm cleared his throat. “Oh?”
“Keena is supposedly among them.”
He stretched his neck as color spread up it. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
I hummed, taking one last look in the mirror.
A rapid knock at the door took each of us by surprise this time. “Who else is left?” I asked.
“Your Majesty,” a frantic voice sounded from the other side of the door. “Your Majesty.”
I opened it to a red-faced staff member.
He’d been with my father for years and served as his assistant.
He longed to retire, or so he said. He’d agreed to stay on until a replacement could be found.
However, every person he interviewed had some shortcoming that made them unfit to fill the role.
Part of me thought he’d never be able to give up his job.
He was always mumbling about how the castle wouldn’t run on time if it wasn’t for him.
“Your Majesty.” He bowed his head. “Everyone is—” He froze, quickly taking in the room filled with so many advisors.
It was a sight most were used to seeing from us at this point, our casual demeanor with one another, and the fact that we gathered in my private chambers as if it were a public space.
Yet they all still acted shocked each time.
I had a feeling the way we ran things would take some getting used to.
“Everyone is waiting. We must make our way to the throne room, or we’ll be late. ”
“We wouldn’t want that,” I said, placating the kind man.
He pushed his spectacles up his nose from where they’d slipped. “Very good. Very good. Come now.”
With my friends surrounding me, we made our way to the throne room. They entered first, bowing dramatically. Kade and I stood in front of the closed doors, waiting to be announced.
He took my hand, kissing my palm before wrapping it around his arm. The doors opened. “Ready, my queen?”