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We’ll definitely make this world better for her before she cracks that egg and joins us. Her Pendragon protectors have created a seriously oppressive nanny vibe in the cavern and they’re mostly only happy when she’s safely in the pool. It’s endearing, but Taran eggs are as indestructible as Pendragon gems, so nothing is getting to our little egg gal.

On that note, several Pendragons emerge from their gems, gather a passel of other gems, and present themselves to the queen. They will be accompanying my parents to mom’s castle to create a place of healing for all those who escaped the purgatory realm. Saving Nico seems to have given them a new mission.

With the laws regarding the portals now broken, the country will need managing in a different way and my mother seems determined, her purpose breaking through her grief. She’ll secure the realm and usher in a new era, and I’m glad my dad will be with her, giving her the support he always gave me.

I ask for and am granted permission to invite women into the realm, and I plan to play matchmaker in the very near future. These monsters deserve love and women from my world deserve more options to find their own adventures and connections. I’m excited at the prospect, but that’s for tomorrow or the next day, maybe even next week.

After our meeting concludes, we stand together just beyond the moat, sharing our final goodbyes before my parents depart. I roll my eyeshardat the sight of my father’s green golf cart—carrying hisnot-submerged-in-a-lake-foreverbag of golf clubs—that’s attached to the back of the carriage, complete with cans and a sign that readsQueen’s Castle or Bust. I just can’t… just amnotgoing to engage with this madness. He accepted my life with monsters. I have totryto accept his complicated relationship with golf. The high road—it must be around here somewhere.

I hug my mother, who kisses my forehead and whispers, “Be happy, Bianca.”

Then she moves away as my dad approaches. At the sight of his misty eyes, my tears are unstoppable.

He hugs me, his voice breaking as he says, “I love you, B. I’m so proud of the princess you’ve become.”

I squeeze him, crying on him. “I love you too, Dad. Take good care of yourself. And I beg you, don’t makegolfthe national sport—these monsters don’t deserve that, not with everything they’ve been through.”

High road?Apparently not.

Hepfftsand I worry I’ve given him the wrong idea.

Dad embraces all my monsters, especially Nico, and I hear his heartfelt thanks for this chance to live his life after death. Then he joins my mom and helps her into the carriage.

My family gathers around me as we watch the steeds begin to move away from Clumberton Castle. We wave to my parents who are waving at us from the carriage window.

Once they are out of sight, my husband asks, “What would you like to do with your day, my dear?”

I place my hands on my hips and spin to glare at my monsters. “I want my dang tour andallmy presents. And after, I’m thinkinglotsandlotsof sexy time.”

The End

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