Epilogue
Six moons later
The Frozen Forest smells of sunshine and tilled earth, no traces of ice.
Late summer fields ripple in gold and teal, orchards sag with fruit, and everywhere Wilder and Point Fae work side by side.
On this journey alone, we've crossed new bridges, passed rebuilt houses, and spotted a fox-tailed stonemason laughing with a pointy-eared foreman over a crooked wall. Progress is everywhere.
As our wagon rattles toward Ylvara, Hugo pokes his nose out to sniff spiced meat on the breeze.
“Almost there,” I say, squeezing Talvie’s thigh.
She nods, quiet with nerves after our fortnight of travel gathering trade goods for Locke and surveying some of the coastal lands. In the back, three of our beasties sprawl among the crates. To be clear, we’re not trading the kids—though some days…
Helkki bounces her heels again. Thunk, thunk. “First thing I’m doing is claiming the big booth in the tavern.”
“The one that used to be reserved for Point Fae?” I grin.
“Exactly.”
“Perfect,” Juani yawns. “Those seats are great for napping.”
“Eating first,” Helkki argues, and Joha chimes in with, “If he naps, we can eat his food.”
Familiar sibling bickering carries us right into town.
The streets of Ylvara are busier than I’ve ever seen them.
Stalls overflow with apples, berries, and bolts of imported cloth.
Bright-eyed, Talvie takes it all in. She hasn’t returned since everything changed, although I’ve ridden down to visit Mika and Katja a few times.
The Laisi Mula Inn bustles with music and delicious scents as we pull up.
Talvie smooths her skirts, nerves flickering across her face. There’s no need for worry.
The moment we step inside, cheers erupt, the inn filling with laughter and the clinking of mugs welcoming us back.
Daria rounds the end of the bar to greet us. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite troublemakers.”
“Hey,” Talvie protests, hugging her.
I grin. “I resemble that remark.”
“Not me,” Talvie insists. “I was good at dishes by the end.”
“Feel free to relive those days if you’re feeling nostalgic, Your Royal Highness,” Daria says, somehow making a curtsy look sarcastic.
Talvie flushes. “Stop that. I’m just glad to see you, Daria.”
“Back at you, girl.” Daria’s eyes light up as she waves over a tall woman with braided auburn hair. “I’d like to introduce my wife, Natasja, home at last from the Ronalands. And our daughter, Mira—”
A teenager sweeps out of the kitchen mid-argument with Ludo and whips her head around at her name. Ludo waves a quick hello and motions for the girl to join us. The twins both straighten.
Mira gives a mock-bow after introductions. “So you two are the famous fake fiancées.”
“Not so fake anymore,” Talvie admits, extending her hand where the other half of my ring gleams on her finger.
“Ha! I knew it,” Daria crows. “You owe me a week’s wages, Ludo!”
“You’re already married, then?” Natasja asks.
I shake my head. “Not yet. We wouldn’t do that without inviting you, Daria. Talvie wears the other half of my V?kirengas, the Lyslander Guardian’s Bond.” I tell them about the ring-splitting ceremony we held at the palace with all the kids before this trip.
Daria arches a silver brow. “And the papers I gave you?”
“Actually, we hoped you would file them for us, Madam Sentry.” I turn to Johannes, who’s dumping salt into the sugar bowl while Juani snores softly beside him. “Joha, the papers.”
Daria’s second eyebrow joins the first as she accepts them from him.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her, “we’ll make sure Joha uses all that sugar on his berries.”
Ignoring his spluttering protests, Daria beams at us before retreating with her own family. It’s heartwarming to see her happily reunited with them, hopefully breathing a little easier at long last.
Lunch passes in a blur of food, laughter, and half the town stopping by with toasts and updates.
Talvie glows brighter with every friendly interruption, and Hugo steals so many bites of sausage, I’m surprised he doesn’t explode.
By the time we roll out of Ylvara, my belt’s tighter, my heart’s lighter, and—after stopping to check on Katja at the healer’s and Mikael at the smithy—my head rests easier at leaving again.
Doc’s steady hands as she works and Mika’s bashful smile tell me they’re both thriving where they belong.
The forest opens into a clearing exactly where Locke marked on my map. Johannes leans over the side of the wagon. “Why are we meeting him in the middle of nowhere?”
I flick the reins, coaxing the deer pulling our wagon into the open space. “Because Locke said so, and he’s the sort of person you just…trust on these things. Mostly.”
“Sounds suspicious,” Helkki stage-whispers. “I like it!”
Talvie snorts just as Locke steps from the shadows in that patchwork coat of his, like he could belong in any market in any world.
“My favorite new supplier,” he drawls, eyeing the kids, “and accomplices.”
We unload the wagon as Locke inspects what we’ve brought.
“Pixierock, moon petals, spectrolite, emeralds…nice.” Locke whistles low, pocketing the gemstones and packing other items into a bundle. “You don’t disappoint.” He hands over coin, allergy pills for Joha, and then presents Talvie with a small box. “An early wedding gift.”
Her eyes widen. “How did you know?”
“It’s my business to know things. Rule number one: always informed, never surprised.”
“I wish I had that level of information,” the princess complains.
“You need spies, princess. Maybe train this brood. That one looks sneaky.” He nods at Helkki.
I scoff, because tossing fireballs is so inconspicuous.
“Or not,” Locke shrugs. “But we need every advantage to navigate royal demands.”
“We?” I ask.
Locke only winks.
Talvie lifts the lid. A ruby gleams like fire from inside the box. “Wow.”
“Rustaki ruby, spelled to ward curses,” Locke explains. “I hear you could use a break from those.”
“Understatement,” Juani snorts.
“Locke, we can’t accept this,” Talvie protests. “It’s too much.”
“Trust me, Highness, it’s in my best interest to make friends with future queens. Rule number one.”
Helkki frowns. “But you just said—”
“Gotta run,” Locke interrupts. “More of that pesky royal business to attend to.”
Before I can press for details, Locke lifts a hand, and the sky darkens. Trees quiver as beating wings ripple the air like thunder. A massive shadow blocks out the sun, descending until we can make out its form.
Shining red scales catch the light as the enormous dragon lands, shaking the ground beneath our feet. Two sparkling green eyes fix on us with a predator’s curiosity.
Helkki’s jaw drops.
Yeah…okay…all our jaws drop, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Hellion speechless before.
As if introducing a dinner guest, Locke rests a hand on the beast’s shoulder.
“Everyone, this is Lizard. We really must be going now.” Unfazed by the giant talons sunk into the turf beside his feet, Locke swings up onto the dragon’s back, tosses us a wolfish grin, and they roar into the sky and vanish over the trees.
The clearing falls silent.
Juani nudges Helkki. “You good?”
She gapes.
It isn’t until we’re halfway back to Rimne that she finally recovers enough to blurt the inevitable: “Lark, can we get a dragon?”
By the time Rimne’s spires rise ahead, my chest feels wide open.
The twins and Helkki are still arguing about dragon housing plans, Talvie’s wearing that serene smile she gets when she’s enjoying herself too much to stop them, and Hugo perches on my shoulder while Lumi drifts above us.
After half a year, the capital feels less like enemy territory now when we return from these journeys.
With my soul settled, it feels more like home.
I’m craving a long shower and bed with Talvie when she leans close. “One stop first. Aili and Eevi are waiting.” Excitement threads her voice.
She guides us down a new cobbled road to a low, sprawling building where bright banners snap in the wind. Royal guards stand nearby, confirming who else might be inside.
“What is this?” I ask.
“A project with Taynia,” she says, eyes gleaming over a proud smile. “A new orphanage.”
“You…built an orphanage?”
“And a school. Point and Wilder children both attend. Together.”
My heart stops when she points out the sign on the gate. “Rutte Hall. You—you named it for Frederik?”
“His name, but for you. I liked the sound of Hyveri Hall, but I thought you’d prefer—ouf!”
I sweep her into a crushing hug, blinking through the sting in my eyes. “It’s perfect, kulta. You’re perfect.”
“I didn’t do it alone. Come on.”
Through the gate, a wide garden bursts with vegetables and flowers, fae working side by side along the rows. And in the middle of it all is Queen Taynia herself, kneeling in the dirt.
“She’s…gardening?” I whisper.
Talvie looks just as startled. But the queen rises, smiling. “There you are!” She wipes soil from her cheek as Aili spots us and races past the queen’s skirts.
Beyond them, Eevi toddles hand-in-hand with Beron, chirping, “Eesa, Eesa.” That sound never fails to knock me silly.
After hugging my girls half to death, Taynia pulls me aside down the rows, greeting people by name as we go.
“This is what you showed me,” she says quietly.
“That the differences between us strengthen us. Yesterday, I signed a new law—Wilder Fae may live and work in the capital. No more building restrictions outside Rimne’s walls either.
The Hinterlands belongs to all its people, and I want to thank you for reminding me of that, Lark. ”
Words fail me. Fortunately, Talvie joins us, slipping her hand into mine, and she knows the perfect thing to say. “Thank you, ?ti.”
Lumi swoops overhead, and I choke back as much emotion as Taynia does at Talvie finding peace with her mother at last.
Inside the hall, Talvie stops suddenly at a patched red coat hanging from one of the entrance hooks. “This coat…where is the boy who owns this?”
“Timo?” a matron replies, calling a sandy-haired boy of about seven from the next room.
The boy looks understandably wary, but Talvie kneels, taking his small hand. “You may not remember, but I saw you once from my carriage. You opened my eyes, Timo. Thank you for helping me see what was hidden from me. Never forget how very special you are, okay?”
The boy’s eyes are wide, but he nods.
“If you ever need anything, you come find me at the palace, Timo. Understand?”
She keeps hold of his hand as we tour airy classrooms and cozy dormitories until he finally scampers off to join friends sprawled over puzzles in the library. I take her hand in his place, pressing a kiss to her fingers.
“This place is warm and wonderful, just like you,” I murmur.
“You like it?”
“I love it. There’s no better surprise.”
Her answering smile says everything.
By twilight, our own brood piles back into the wagon, Aili serious between the boys, Eevi perched on my lap, and Helkki still muttering about dragons.
We follow Taynia and Beron on their reindeer, white fur bright under the darkening sky.
Royal guards fan out around us, but folk in the streets—Wilder and Point Fae alike—still wave and nod as we pass.
At the palace gates, we dismount and pause on the hilltop, looking back down over Rimne to the roads stretching far beyond. There will always be more to explore out there in the wild lands, but for now, home waits behind us.
“You ready?” I ask my fiancée.
Talvie smiles, eyes bright with that look of fire and forever that I love so much. “With you? Always.”
Thank you for reading! Hugo and I hope you enjoyed his story … er, Lark and Talvie's story.