Epilogue
Three Months Later
Winter in Halice is thankfully temperate.
The chill mostly comes from strong ocean winds.
But the sunsets, they are something different.
They last longer, the colours deeper and darker as amber and burgundy streaks coil through lacy grey clouds.
Sitting on my balcony, overlooking the city that stretches towards the glinting Argenti Strait, I sigh.
Halice is growing from strength to strength though the horrors of our clash with the Holy States are not forgotten …
but the bruises of that time are beginning to fade and the wounds are starting to heal.
As much as they can.
I press a hand to my chest, a lance of something painful and empty spearing through me as I think about Giulia.
My sister’s death has changed me. A piece of me has been forever lost, and though I try to continue with my life like normal, it feels like I’m not entirely here.
And remembering her, remembering what I’ve lost …
it physically hurts, like someone has wrapped my heart in thorns.
A familiar hot fire washes over my skin, goosebumps standing to attention as Idris joins me outside. Soft, warm material wraps around my shoulders as Idris drapes me in a blanket and sets two glasses down on the small table before taking a seat.
“Red?” Idris offers before pouring the wine. I smile at him and take a deep breath. Idris and I live together now, though we’ve both kept our family homes. Occasionally, the bond pulls and snaps in ways that mean distance is required, but normally we’ll be found together.
Idris pours out the drinks and pushes mine towards me. I take it and smile as he tilts his glass in my direction.
“To the rightfully re-elected, Electi Di Maineri,” Idris toasts. “The High Chamber hasn’t been the same without you.”
I smile and nod.
Winning my second election felt very different from winning my first. Back then I was all hot-headed ideas, eagerly chasing change, desperate to prove myself.
Now, I am calm, clear, cautious … but my determination is no different.
If I fight, I can make things better and stop evil from happening.
If Halice stands together and fights together, we can make this city a better place. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it.
And I am ready to work.
I smile at Idris, leaning closer to my most ardent campaign partner. I can face anything with him by my side. His golden hair gleams in the setting sun, shining like polished bronze.
“Thank you, for everything,” I tell him quietly. His expression softens as he takes my hand, the bond branding fire deep into my palm.
“Anything you need. My Fated. My chosen,” he says softly. I nod, refusing to break the intensity of those agonisingly hypnotic hazel eyes.
“My Fated. My chosen,” I promise him.
He lifts our joined hands to his lips, and his hot kiss burns against my knuckles. But I crave its burn, its promise, its message. We will handle anything the world throws at us – political, religious or otherwise. We’ll meet it hand in hand.
Together.
Forever.