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L ight seeps through the drawn curtains, marking the beginning of another gorgeous day. Ever’s soft breaths tickle my cheek as I count the flowers painted on the ceiling of my husband’s barrel-top.

It took a few days, but the Unseelie hunting party found the wolves’ den and where they climbed from within the canyon to plunder the countryside. Turned out, the wolves didn’t cross the bridge after all. Which was a relief because the people of Rosehill needed to trust the Unseelie fae in order for the council to accept one of them as their new leader.

On the twelfth of June, the Kingdom of Willowhaven appointed their first Unseelie King.

Some of the Seelie fae have yet to acknowledge his rule but most are happy enough to give him a chance, especially seeing as he is half Seelie.

So much has changed.

The well is now open to every fae, no matter the day of the week or which side of The Divide they hail from. The citizens of Rosehill no longer shutter their windows and lock their doors on Wednesdays.

Ever was expected to move into the castle straightaway, but after two sleepless nights, he decided the rambling towers were too large and open, so he brought his home into the castle gardens.

Every night, we fall asleep tangled in each other’s arms, with the sweet scent of spring drifting through the lace curtains.

“We really should get up,” I say even as I burrow deeper beneath the covers.

“We really should stay here,” Ever murmurs against my collarbone as his fingers trace the fresh teeth marks he left on my hip last night.

“But there is much to do.” Treaties to sign. Egos to soothe. Bridges to rebuild.

“Everything else can wait.”

* * *

Eventually, we make our way out into the bright summer’s day. Nyx stomps his hoof in greeting before going back to his feast of grass near the pond. There is so much land for grazing, the unicorn doesn’t know what to do with himself. I swear he prances everywhere he goes.

Maddox waves from his own wagon, his pet goat trotting along behind him. When the pair first found each other, I was so distraught that Maddox would eat the little fellow. Turns out, Maddox has never eaten a goat in his life.

“Hello, my queen,” he says with a smile as bright as the sun high above. “Tell me, is your cousin by chance visiting the castle today?”

The poor man makes no attempt to hide his affection for Nia. I’ve tried telling him it’s a hopeless endeavor since she and Nolan are trying to rebuild their broken relationship, but he only smiles and says he is a patient male. When I say she’ll be arriving after lunch, Maddox practically skips down the marble hallway ahead of us.

Ever stops on the stoop, frowning down at the marble tiles. “Tell me I can do this.”

I lace our hands together. “You are a fearsome male. You can do anything.”

He turns and takes me into his arms, my favorite place to be. His forehead drops to mine and he whispers, “I love you, Kerris Gathin.”

“I love you, Everett Gathin,” I whisper back, a smile on my lips and happiness in my heart.

I came to Rosehill for a husband, and to my great fortune, have found one.