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“Forever.”

Epilogue

The moonlight shone brightly through the glass dome at the center of the ballroom. The night sky sparkled with stars, and waves of greens, blues, and purples. Ball gowns swished and soft string music played. Vines of jasmine wrapped around the white pillars lining her new throne room.

Scarlet velvet curtains draped around the tall arched windows. A three-tiered golden fountain with red wine pouring over the sides waited off to the side. Tif was already there sipping on something she wasn’t supposed to. Her little brown boots stuck out from under the white tablecloth, and her unique shadow with her red hat, round belly, wild curls, and a tea-length dress was outlined against it from inside.

Valeen laughed quietly to herself and searched among the crowd of dancers, a mixture of races from every realm, shifters of all kinds, elves, demigods, even humans.

Thane and Katana danced together. Of course, her sister wore the most beautiful golden ballgown and proved she was still the loveliest of all the goddesses. Thane leaned down to her ear, and she threw her head back laughing. They were exquisite together.

Presco spun his wife Ayva in a circle and dipped her back. They’d movedPresco’s Potionsto Villhara, and it was thriving just as well as it had in Ryvengaard. Several of their guests had brilliantly colorful hair.

Near the drink tables Leif was sweet-talking a half-elf, half-goddess named Vivielle. He certainly had a thing for the redheads, and hers was as deep as a crimson rose.

Piper was playing some sort of drinking game with Ronan in the corner. They’d made House of Night their home the last seven years, but Ronan was itching for more. For land in Ryvengaard with the dragons he believed he was entitled to but would have to fight for. Piper pointed at him and pushed a shot glass into his hand. “You lost, drink it!”

“If you want to take advantage of me, it doesn’t require alcohol.” He winked at her and downed it.

Hel’s mother and father were in attendance tonight as well. Even though they were all cordial, Hel was still not close to them. He cared enough to let them around and invite them to parties but there was still a part of him that just couldn’t understand why they abandoned him.

It gave him some peace to know them though and know where he came from. But Zaelia was trying to make up for lost time and frequently visited. Valeen enjoyed her mother-in-law’s company. Unlike Orlandia, she was kind and wanted to help where she could, funny too.

But where is Hel? This washisparty really. He called it the Day of Reckoning. Tonight was the seventh anniversary of the day they became immortals again and defeated the council. It was a time of celebration, but it still reminded her of all the hurt and pain that came before.

Even if they were immortal now, she still woke up covered in sweat some nights, reaching for him to make sure he was there.There were moments she simply laid her head against his bare chest to listen to his heartbeat.

A wisp of cool air curled along the back of her neck, then warm hands closed around her waist. She smiled as he pulled her into the crowd of dancers. “Hello, love. How are you tonight?” He moved right into the steps with the other dancers, not missing a beat.

“I’m better now.”

“You looked lost without me.”

She traced one of the runes on his neck with her fingertip and smiled at the goosebumps that rose. “I would be lost without you.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, love. Didn’t I do everything I promised?” His blue-green eyes sparkled in the starlight. “Or is there more?”

“You kept your promises, Hel.” He always did. He’d given her revenge, immortality, his undying love. She peeked out the window at the beautiful garden she’d asked for. It was Katana’s favorite place when she visited. They danced in the castle he said he would rebuild, and of course he’d found her winged horses Starborn and Night. Her throne wasn’t made out of bones of their enemies, but she loved the shiny onyx stone.

“Then why do you look sad tonight? I don’t like it.”

She smiled at his hand on her low back pulling her closer. “I’m not. I have everything I want. It’s just,” she blew out a slow breath, “sometimes I worry that you’ll get bored with this peace. I mean, youarethe god of mischief.”

He laughed and spun her in a circle. Once he pulled her back in, he pressed her against him. “Mischief doesn’t require war, love.” In a few quick strides he whisked her over to the twin thrones. Once he was seated, he patted his lap, and she smiled as she sat. One arm circled around her waist and with the other hand he rubbed her back.

“Thane is the god of war, even if he says he is happy, even if he is HighElfKing, he will crave it. I heard him talking to Ronan about war on Ryvengaard between the dragons. Prince Ronan wants to beKingRonan. And the Drakonans from Adalon aren’t getting along with the Drakonans on Ryvengaard.”

“You are worrying over nothing, Val.” He smirked, revealing his dimple. “Or is it you that is bored? Do you want to go conquer a realm? We have both the immortal weapons, who would stand against us?”

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “It was agreed by the primordials that we could keep them because wevowednot to use them ever again.”

“Youvowed.” He smirked. “We don’t need them anyway. I will name these conquered lands after you.”

She giggled and ran her hand through his hair. “You are terrible, Zaurahel.”

“I am happy. I love you, and life with you is all I want. If Thane drags me into a war on Ryvengaard?—”

“He isnotimmortal. He can’t do the same things he did before.”