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“Never mind,Corazon,”he murmured to me.“Both of us are fatherless now, but at least we still have each other.”

I’m not ashamed to say there were tears in my eyes as I hugged him.

“We have each other,” I repeated and felt the Blood-Bond between us swell with comfort and love.

“And you haveus.”Megan put a hand on my shoulder and then she and Kaitlyn and Emma were hugging us both as we hugged each other.

“Family isn’t always the one you’re born into,” I heard Megan saying.“Sometimes the best family is the one you find along the way.I’m so glad we all found each other!”

As she spoke, Griffon and Bran and Lachlan and Ari linked arms and surrounded the girls in yet another layer of hugs.I could feel the magical energy rising around me.The feeling of Drake and Nocturne and Sister and Fae power all mingling together, mixed together with love.

Even little Jalli, who had been hiding behind Ari all this time, joined in.Her chimelings, Jelly Belly, Sweet Tooth, and Spike as well as Kaitlyn’s Mr.Seahorse went flying in a circle around our heads, chiming with their bell-like voices as though proclaiming the love our coven had for each other and our determination to stay together.It was clear they didn’t fear Saint anymore now that the curse had been lifted from his Drake.

When we finally pulled apart, I expected that Headmistress Nightworthy would be angry with us.So I was surprised to see her dabbing at her eyes with an old-fashioned looking lace embroidered handkerchief.

She saw us watching and cleared her throat.

“I want it to be clear that I do not condone your actions of the night before,” she said to us, trying and failing to look stern.“But I have to say that the energy I’m feeling now between you all—this is thetruespirit of Nocturne.This is why I continue to stay here, to guide young people in their formative years.”She dabbed at her eyes again and the handkerchief came away red.(Of course, being a Nocturne herself, she cried blood tears.)

“Thank you for understanding, Headmistress,” I said to her as our big group hug broke apart.“Thank you for having our backs.”

“You’re very welcome, Avery.”She nodded, her regal cap of silver hair winking in the dim light from her antique lamps.“I like to think that Nocturne Academy will always stand on the side of right.No one should be hurt or discarded because of who they are or who they love.”

“I agree.”I slipped an arm around Saint’s waist and kissed him on the cheek.“I think last period is over now.Come on—let’s go back to the Norm Dorm and take it easy.”

“Just be sure you’re all in class as usual tomorrow,” Headmistress Nightworthy cautioned us.“And please—no more Shifting Drakes or doing Blood Magic on the school premises!”

We all promised but as we trooped out of her office, I couldn’t help thinking how lucky and blessed I was.Yes, I had lost my father—probably forever.And Saint had lost his, too.But we had each other and we had our extended coven.Highschool isn’t easy and I know not everyone has the same experience we did, but we had made bonds of friendship and love here that I knew would last a lifetime.

And no matter what happened, nothing could break those bonds or take away the memories we had made together here at Nocturne Academy.

THE END?