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Once I’m by his side, he stares at me. I can see an entire universe in his moonlit eyes.

“But Callypso Lillis, Queen of the Night, didn’t just face any foe. The Thief of Souls was none other than Euribios, the primordial god of death and the dark.”

There are intakes of breath throughout the gathered crowd, then thoughtful murmurs as they take me in.

“Your queen faced Euribios, and shevanquishedhim.”

Gasps. I can feel those gazes on me like the hands of the dead. But it’s the Bargainer’s gaze that holds me rapt. He gives me a soft smile before announcing to the gathered crowd. “The Thief is no more.”

Back in Somnia, the royal prison is suddenly full of very confused fae soldiers. Among them are Janus and Malaki.

“Has someone been naughty while I’ve been away?” Des asks from the other side of the bars.

“What is going on?” Janus demands as the iron door slides back.

“Callie killed one of your great and mighty gods,” Temper says from where she stands next to me. “Not to be rude, but y’all got some weak ass gods if this bitch can trounce them,” she says, nudging me.

“Hey!”

“What?” the sorceress says. “I’mkidding.”

“Temper.” Malaki’s deep voice has my friend sobering up.

He steps up to her, ignoring me and Des and every other individual swarming the halls of the dungeon. His eyes are fixed on Temper, and his wings—his wings areout.

He touches her cheek, and that’s all it takes for my fiery friend to soften. She slips into Malaki’s arms.

“Don’t ever do that to me again,” she says, “or I’ll kill you myself.”

Des’s general holds Temper tightly, and it’s a testament to whatever they’ve got going on that he doesn’t take that threat the wrong way.

Janus looks between us. “Seriously, is anyone going to tell mewhyI’m in the Night Kingdom’s dungeon?”

The Bargainer’s eyes fall on me while he plays with the beads on his bracelet. “The queen and I would be delighted to fill you in—” he says to Janus, “for a price, of course.” He winks at me.

Eight years ago, this began with a dead man and a deal. And now, here we are, with a few more dead men and a few more deals under our belts.

I take Des’s hand, and the two of us lead the group out of the dungeon.

The King of the Night brings our clasped hands to his lips and presses a kiss to the back of mine. His silver eyes gleam.

This man.

He’s the Bargainer who saved my life over and over again, and the king who I ended up saving, a time or two.

He’s a trickster, a secret-keeper. He’s the dark side of the moon. He’s my beautiful, terrible mystery.

My friend. My soulmate.

From flame to ashes, dawn to dusk—until darkness dies.

He’s mine, and I’m his,always.

Epilogue

7 years later

Des and Iland in our backyard, our wings folding up behind us. Overhead, the stars glitter down, and far below our yard, the Pacific crashes against the beach.