EPILOGUE 1 CYRENE
ONE MONTH LATER
The first thing I noticed when I woke was the light.
Not the pale, filtered grayness that had characterized every morning in the castle since my arrival, but genuine golden sunlight streaming through the windows. It painted warm stripes across our bedding and transformed the stone walls from gray to honey-toned amber.
I blinked, convinced I was dreaming. But no, the warmth on my face was real, the brightness almost shocking after weeks of perpetual gloom.
Beside me, Kieran stirred, one arm thrown across my waist. His dark hair fell across his forehead, and I watched him, marveling at how different he looked in actual sunlight. Less the brooding vampire king, more the man who’d danced with me at a festival a month ago.
“You’re staring,” he said without opening his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips.
“You’re pretty when you sleep.”
“Pretty?” One eye cracked open, his gaze mock-offended. “I’m a fearsome vampire king. Try terrifying. Or devastatingly handsome.”
“Nope. Pretty. But I’m worried you’re going to scorch your skin.”
He flicked his fingers toward the window, and the curtains glided shut. Then he growled, pulling me closer until I was tucked beneath him. “I’ll show you pretty.”
His lips found the sensitive spot below my ear, and I melted into him, magic already sparking between us. But before things could progress beyond teasing kisses, a knock sounded at our chamber door.
“Your Majesties?” Captain Brishon’s voice carried through the wood. “Forgive the interruption, but you’ll want to see this.”
Kieran groaned against my neck. “What is it?”
“The castle, Your Majesty. You need to see it.”
We dressed quickly—well, quickly for royalty involved putting on more layers than seemed strictly necessary—and followed Brishon into the corridor.
I gasped.
Every joy charm I’d created hummed with golden light, brighter than they’d ever been.
Not just the lanterns, but the protective sigils I’d woven into doorframes, the happiness enchantments I’d embedded in window glass, the laughter spells tucked into corners.
All of them glowed with vibrant, healthy magic.
More than that, the castle itself felt different. Lighter. As if some oppressive weight had been lifted from the very stones.
“It happened overnight,” Brishon said, his scarred face creased with wonder. “The servants woke to find the entire castle transformed. Even the south wing, where the blood magic had been strongest, is clear now.”
Kieran’s hand found mine, squeezing. Through our bond I felt his relief, his joy, his pride in what we’d accomplished together.
“Show us,” I said.
We walked through corridors that practically glowed with warmth and light.
Servants paused in their work to curtsy or bow, their faces holding genuine smiles.
I heard laughter echoing from the kitchens and singing from the laundry rooms, the sound of happiness filling spaces that had been silent for too long.
When we reached the portrait gallery, I stopped short.
Cordelia’s painting hung in its place of honor among the other queens of the realm. But now it glowed with a soft, ethereal light that hadn’t been there before. Her painted face seemed to smile directly at me.
Beneath the portrait, someone had placed fresh frillablooms.
“I think she’s gone,” I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest.
“Not truly,” Kieran said. “She’s moved on. There’s a difference.”
He was right. This didn’t feel like loss. It felt like completion. As if Cordelia had finished what she’d stayed to do and could finally rest, knowing her family was safe.
I touched the portrait’s frame. “Thank you, Great-Grandmother.”
The light throbbed once, warm as a hug, then settled into a steady glow.
Kieran drew me away, leading me back through the transformed castle until we reached our chambers again. “I have something for you.”
“More gifts? You already gave me a kingdom.”
“This is better.” He disappeared into our sitting room, returning with a tray laden with food.
My stomach growled at the sight of fresh pastries, fruit, cheese, and what looked like eggs prepared just the way I liked them.
“When did you find time to make that?” I stared at him.
“Oh, sometime before you woke. I cast a spell to keep everything warm.” He set the tray on the small table by the window, the one that now caught actual sunlight for the first time since I’d arrived. “My mother taught me to cook.”
I settled into one of the chairs, watching as he poured tea for us both. “I owe her thanks, then.”
“She enjoyed food and loved experimenting with new dishes.” He handed me a cup, his fingers brushing mine. “She would’ve liked you.”
“Because I argue with you?”
“Because you challenge me to be better.” He claimed the chair across from me, though in the shade. But the look in his eyes warmed me more than the sun. “And because you make the best joy charms I’ve ever seen.”
I bit into a pastry. Perfectly flaky, with just the right amount of sweetness. “This is delicious. Amazing as always.” I reached across the table to lace my fingers with his. “I am curious about what other hidden talents you’re hiding.”
His smile turned wicked. “I could show you later.”
Heat bloomed in my cheeks, but before I could respond, Quandary swooped through the open window, nearly knocking over the teapot.
Letter, he said, dropping a cream-colored envelope into my lap before perching on the back of my chair. From your grandmother.
The wax seal held the Thornwick family crest.
“What does she say?” Kieran asked.
I broke the seal and unfolded the thick parchment, reading aloud.
My dearest Cyrene,
I trust this letter finds you well and properly settled in your new kingdom. The reports from various sources (and yes, I have sources. Never doubt a grandmother’s network) suggest you’ve not only survived but thrived. Well done.
However, I write with news of a more delicate nature. Your success has caused wonderful ripples. Our wards… Well, I won’t go into that now.
The point is, it’s time I thought of your sisters and cousin.
You’ll soon hear news about a wedding. I do hope you can attend. Bring your husband. I’d love to chat with him about blood magic.
With love and pride,
Grandmother
Kieran listened with growing amusement. “She’s at it again, isn’t she? I wonder who she has in mind for your sisters.”
“I’m not sure I want to know.” And who first? Adele, Sasha, or my cousin, Victoria?
Although, where would I be without her interventions?
Still mourning Kieran.
Instead, I was soon going to let him know he’d be a daddy. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I told him.
He tugged the letter from my hands and gently laid it on the table, then scooped me up and plopped me in his lap.
“Kieran!” I laughed, steadying myself with hands on his shoulders. “What are you doing?”
“Placing you where you belong.” His arms wrapped around my waist, secure and possessive in the best way. “You were getting that look in your eyes, the one that means you’re planning to solve everyone’s problems single-handedly.”
“I was not—”
“You were. I’m learning to recognize it.” He traced idle patterns on my hip with one finger, sending sparks of magic dancing across my skin. “Everything’s going to turn out alright.”
He was right, of course.
His smile held pure mischief. “Now, about those hidden talents I mentioned…”
I barely had time to laugh before his lips found mine, sweet and teasing and perfect.
Through the window, sunlight continued to pour into the castle that had been dark for so long.
This was home now. Not the place I’d left behind, but this castle with its newly bright halls and its vampire king who made me laugh and challenged me and loved me with an intensity that still took my breath away.
Our magic pulsed in time with our heartbeats, two souls bound by more than vows or treaties or politics. Bound by choice. By love. By the kind of magic that only comes when two people decide to face the world together.
Outside, the kingdom waited. Inside, we had each other.
And really, what more could a joy witch and her vampire king need than that?