Page 181 of His Ruthless Match

As the evening went on, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come. Jareth was still his chaotic, comedic self—equal parts comedian and unhinged protector—but he was also mine. And I was his.

For years, I’d kept myself from forming true, genuine connections, too afraid of being hurt. But now, with Jareth by my side, I felt safe. Loved. Whole.

And as I watched him fuss over his new favorite possession, I knew I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

EPILOGUE

MAGISTRATE VAELEN

The chamber was silent, save for the faint crackle of spellfire.

This place was older than kingdoms. Older than memory. It had seen civilizations rise and rot.

“They’re organizing,” Eldric said, voice clipped, cold. “Scattered cells in The Below. Rumors of training grounds. Weapons. Recruitment.”

Caladorn gave a low scoff, amusement curving his mouth. “Sympathizers with sharpened sticks and broken bloodlines. Let them form their little army. It won’t matter.”

“It will,” Eldric snapped. “If we ignore it. We let the rebellion fester, and the consequences will stain the stones beneath our feet.”

“We won’t ignore it,” I murmured, mainly just to keep my voice in the conversation.

They turned to me.

I let the shadows stretch across my face. “We’ll observe. Strategize. Tighten control where it matters most—on the bloodlines. On the voices. On the stories they try to tell.”

“And when they reach for fire?” Eldric asked.

Caladorn smiled. “Then we bury them in ash.”

The wards along the walls pulsed once, reacting to the vehemence in the room. Not fear. Containment.

“We need a new campaign,” Eldric said. “Tighter surveillance. Restricted movement. Quiet purging. No martyrs. No headlines. Make them disappear.”

“A correction,” Caladorn said, almost wistfully.

“No,” I corrected softly. “A cleansing.”

That word lingered.

Colder than the others. Sharper, too.

“A few seeds have already taken root,” Eldric went on. “Leaders. Propaganda. Rebellion disguised as resistance. It’s all underground, but you know what they say about what starts underground.”

“That will not last,” Caladorn cut in. “They’ll turn on each other soon enough. They always do.”

“We’ll help them,” Eldric replied. “Fuel suspicion. Erode their alliances.”

Silence settled like a blade balanced on its edge.

Then Eldric nodded. “Let them rally behind false hope. And when it collapses…” His mouth curled. “We’ll offer asolution.”

“One they’ll beg for,” Caladorn added.

“And the girl?” Caladorn asked. “She’s still useful?”

“For now,” Eldric said. “Her chaos draws attention in all the right directions. Wring her dry, then sever the thread.”

No one spoke her name.