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“Last night!” she squealed.

“We plan to have the wedding next spring here in Palenor,” Thane beamed. “We want to help you and Hel first, and I promised to take her traveling a few places.”

“And it takes time to plan an event like this. I’m not like you, Val, no offense.” She smiled at her. “I want the whole kingdom there.”

Hel reached over and playfully shook Thane’s shoulder. “Congratulations, brother.” Everyone else followed to congratulate them. A spring wedding in Palenor would be beautiful. All the flowers and trees would be in bloom.

“I’m so happy for you both.” Valeen made sure she held Thane’s gaze when she said it. It wasn’t long ago they talked in his bedroom about him finding his wife.She better be damn near perfect, Valeen had told him.

She was. More perfect than either of them could have imagined then.

Under a glittering colorful night sky,Valeen rode with Katana on her left and Hel on her right. Thane smiled at her from Katana’s other side. Tif hung on Valeen’s shoulder and kicked her little boots.

There was a wonder in Aunt Evalyn’s face Valeen hadn’t seen since she was young. Leif offered Aunt Evalyn a round silver flask. With a sly grin she took it, and they snickered together before taking sips.

There were tears in Presco’s eyes as they made their way up the grassy knoll. It was his home too. And soon he’d bring his wife and children.

They rode across the green grass guided by the stars to the place below the constellation of the rearing horse Sargentos. The craggy black rocks came into view, and they stopped at the crest of the hill, looking over the old ruins of Valeen’s castle.

This time seeing it didn’t bring pain or sorrow. It didn’t rip the air from her lungs.

It brought hope. A new beginning.

On the far hill toward the sea, a town was already being set up. Structures and frames of homes were being worked on. Small farms with wood fences dappled the area. Sheep bleated and cows mooed in the distance. It was going to be perfect.

“I can’t wait to help you set up the gardens!” Katana practically squealed.

“Will I have my own room?” Tif asked, and climbed down Valeen. “I want a little nook with a tiny bed and a tiny door only I can fit through. And maybe another tiny bed for Tommy when he visits.”

“You can have whatever you want.” Valeen smiled. She pointed at the horizon. “Near the sea we will rebuild the magnificent city of Vesper. Presco’s Potions will do nicely there with the ports as well.”

Presco grinned. “It will.”

People were already clearing the debris and the wilds that had taken over the ruins. What was salvageable from the rubble of the old moonstone was being stacked and cleaned.

On the far side of the castle, the row of six cottages with straw roofs and round front doors, made her laugh. They looked almost just like her home in Briar Hollow. She told Hel’s mother Zaelia about it but didn’t think she’d take it so literal when she asked her to prepare them a temporary place to stay.

The quaint white shutters were a nice touch too.

“Those look familiar,” Aunt Evalyn said with a chuckle. “I like it already.”

“It will do for now, but my queen deserves her throne.” With a wave of Hel’s hand, the rough black rocks near their feet began to roll and form into a high-backed chair with armrests and a smoothed-out seat.

He took her hand and guided her over to it. With tears blurring her vision, she sat and looked out over her land, her home. The stars and colorful waves in the sky seemed brighter than ever.

Suddenly her breath whooshed out. The broken silver moon Fennor slowly started to reform. While the sister moons Nuna and Luna shined with pride.

When she looked back at her friends—her family, Tif was the first to bow. Then Piper and Leif, followed by Thane and Katana, and Presco and Ronan. Finally, Hel inclined his head.

She almost broke down sobbing but sniffled and said softly, “Thank you.”

It was a bliss she couldn’t have even imagined, knowing all was as it should be, knowing they would never be hunted again. The people she loved were all finally safe.

The best part was that she’d have her soulmate, her husband that she loved so deeply at her side. There was a light in his eyes now. There was no reason for him to be consumed with vengeance and hatred. He smiled with joy that made him all the more beautiful.

She stood and pushed him onto the throne and sat on his lap. It wastheirland, their throne. He had fought harder than anyone to make this happen.

His hands threaded into her hair and he kissed her hard on the mouth. “Now I get to love you forever,” Hel said tenderly.