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“I’ve had enough of dying for the rest of eternity,” I say, half to my father, and half to her. “Because now, I have someone worthlivingfor.”

He smiles, and together, we make our way across the arena floor.

My hand finds Sapphire’s the moment I’m by her side, her fingers interlacing with mine as naturally as water flowing over ice. Her touch grounds me, steadying the storm of emotions I’ve kept locked beneath the layers of frost for far too long.

“You did it,” she whispers, her magic swirling with mine where our hands meet.

“Wedid it,” I correct her, drawing strength from her presence. “None of this would have been possible without you. Not even close.”

Her smile warms me from within, melting the last of the tension I’ve carried since challenging my father. Because here, with her hand in mine, I can finally breathe again.

My father watches us, a flicker of something—recognition, or memory—crossing his face. But whatever he sees, he keeps to himself, turning back to address the still-kneeling court instead.

“Rise,” he commands, and the crowd obeys, although their eyes remain fixed on me and Sapphire—the Winter Prince and his Summer Princess, standing united before them.

Without thinking—without calculating the consequences of my behavior in the public eye—I pull Sapphire close, my lips capturing hers in a kiss that says everything I don’t have words for. All the fear I felt facing my father, all the hope her love has given me, and all the wonder that she chose me despite everything.

When we break apart, her eyes are wide, her cheeks flushed with warmth that defies the arena’s chill.

“You know,” she says slowly, giving me a mischievous smile that makes me want to dofarmore than just kiss her. “For someone who spent decades perfecting his icy composure, you have a surprising talent for causing a scene.”

“Only with you,” I tell her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Only ever with you.”

My father watches us with an unreadable expression, frost climbing up his wrists in delicate, swirling patterns.

Patterns I’ve tried to replicate every day since I was a child.

“Well,” he says, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. “It seems the alliance between winter and summer is even stronger than I anticipated.”

Whispers ripple through the crowd, but I hold Sapphire’s gaze, finding in it the strength I’ll need for whatever comes next.

“Come,” my father says, addressing us both. “I’ll have the war rooms prepared. We have much to discuss… and much to catch up on.”

“Of course,” I reply, although my attention remains on Sapphire—on the way her water caresses my frost like it belongs there. Likeshebelongs here, beside me, forever.

My chest tightens in a way I still don’t know how to handle.

“Are you ready?” I ask her quietly, my eyes searing into hers.

“Ready to take on a court of psychotic night fae with delusions of godhood?” Her smile is fierce, fire and determination wrapped in impossible beauty. “Absolutely.”

“Psychotic night fae,” I repeat, somehow loving her more with every word she speaks. “It’s exactly how I wanted to round out our honeymoon.” I hesitate, just for a breath, memorizing every line of her face in this single, perfect moment. “But after we emerge victorious, I’m locking us in an igloo for a year. No war. No politics. Just me showing you all the ways I can make you melt.”

She laughs, melodic and bright.

“Melt me all you want, Winter Prince,” she says, her voice warm enough to thaw the frozen parts of me I didn’t think I’d feel again. “But when this is over, I’m going to teach you how to burn.”