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Now left with only her closest friends and family, Alex looked at each of them, wondering what was supposed to happen now. There was so much that needed to be done. Repairs had to be made, bodies had to be healed… the dead had to be buried.

Alex also had to figure out what was happening with her parents, whether they would be returning to Freya now that the danger had passed… and whether they would expect her to go back with them. She was still only seventeen, after all. A minor, according to most legal systems. And yet… she had over a year left of study at Akarnae, plus two more if offered an apprenticeship. Her life was here. Everyone she cared for was here.

Reading her thoughts—or perhaps just reading the uncertainty on her face—her father wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

“We couldn’t help noticing the architecture in that elf city as we travelled on the invisible flying train when we were abducted,” Jack said, scratching his chin with his free hand, as if nothing he’d just uttered fazed him. “While your mother and I aren’t convinced that this is the safest place in all the worlds, we’ve never been the type of people who shy away from danger or turn down the chance of a new discovery. So we’ve been talking about it, and we’d love to spend some more time in that Meya place once things settle down.”

“Imagine what we might unearth,” Rachel added, her features glowing with excitement. “The archaeological possibilities are endless.”

Amazed and yet unsurprised that her parents were taking the trauma of their capture and the battle in stride, Alex looked at Roka, raising her brows in question. She ignored Zain’s snort and Kyia’s sparkling eyes, focusing only on the Meyarin king.

“I’m sure something can be arranged,” Roka said. And while his face was shadowed by grief, there was an upward curl to his mouth, knowing, as Alex did, that her parents’ return to his city would likely become an extended stay. Possibly one that lasted forever. “Any family of Alex’s is welcome in Meya.”

Just like that, Alex knew.

Her parents were staying. She was staying.

And as she looked around the circle of all those closest to her heart, seeing the grins spreading across Jordan, D.C., Bear and Declan’s faces, and the knowing, hopeful smile tugging at Kaiden’s lips, she felt peace settle deep within her at the knowledge that all was right in her world.

Medora was her life.

Medora was her home.

And now, Medora was her future.