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“And where does that leave me?”

“I think... I think that has to be your decision.” He ran a hand over her petal-soft cheek, already hurting at the possibility of her living far away from him. The enchantment seemed to have had a lasting impact after all: it ensured that he would need her with him, always. “It’s your choice, Lan. I’ll understand if you choose your family.”

“Don’t you remember my promise? I told you I would help you and see you through to the end,” Lan said. “I just didn’t know, when I was making that promise, thatthe endwould be the end of our lives together. You and me. A hundred years from now.”

Perhaps that was another lasting effect of the spell: the almost unbearable lightness of his heart, as though it no longer wished to be tethered to earth. “We’ll live that long?”

“Anything’s possible,” she said, smirking up at him.

“What about your parents? What will they think about you loving me?”

Lan raised her eyebrows. “You are the heir to the Gray City, and it needs a leader. It needsyou. I don’t think my father could refuse such a powerful son.”

“A son?” Bao repeated.

She grinned up at him. “Will you marry me?”

The casual proposal nearly sent him flying backward. “I’m supposed to ask your parents first,” he sputtered. “It’s traditional and respectful. And they have to accept me, and then they need to speak to you, and... There’s a proper way in which these things are done, Lan!”

Lan waved a dismissive hand. “I’m done with propriety and tradition. Bà n?i never liked it much, either,” she said, folding his arms back around her. “We survived a war together, Bao, and a witch’s curse. I want you to marry me, and we will go home and tell my parents.Tell, not ask. I have a feeling Ba will be happy about the match, even if it takes Mama some time. That is, if you’ll accept my proposal. Well?”

“Yes,” Bao said without hesitation, his voice ragged. “I’ll marry you, Vu Lan.”

Their lips met once more, and Bao couldn’t help smiling against her mouth.

“Will you play me the flute every night?” she asked playfully.

“Every night. Whenever you like,” he vowed, and from his pocket he took out the bamboo flute that had started it all—none the worse for wear, despite all it had been through. It had been given to him with love, and now, he would give its music to the one he loved.

He might not know how the rest of his life would look, but he knew he would never be alone again. They would figure it out together.