Page 175

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER – HUMAN REALM

T he Reaper King and the Witch Queen lorded over Lela in a bloody iron-fisted reign, striking terror into the hearts of all.

At least, that was what some stories claimed, as told by their enemies. Not that they had many now. A year had passed since the fateful battle, and not once had Norun renewed hostility toward Khero. The kingdom had plenty to deal with after fighting a six-month-long rebellion before ceding Haldor and Sparda back to their former kings. Now Khero had two more allies standing between them and a much smaller enemy kingdom. Cora was certain she could eventually convince King Isvius to forge an official peace pact between Norun and Lela.

Syrus had been more than eager to do so. Once Darius’ heir—a wealthy duke who’d boasted the highest merit rating on the island kingdom—took his new post as king, he was quick to disassociate himself from the former king’s actions. It was a smart choice on his part, considering Syrus bore the responsibility for the deaths of King Larylis and Queen Mareleau.

The lie grated on Cora’s nerves—and her heart—but it was essential. Hardly anyone would believe the truth. She may have claimed rule over the land by right of magic, but if she wanted to keep her crown in the eyes of the people, it was best she didn’t spout tales of faerie portals and wars with ancient Elvyn princes. As much as she hated pretending her dear friends were deceased, it was much more believable than them living in a parallel realm inhabited by fae.

Besides, the lie had encouraged peace with Syrus’ new king. Cora burned with curiosity to discover what would come of the kingdom without their ageless, five-hundred-year-old king. Would his meritocracy last? Or crumble?

Only time would tell?—

“Are you thinking about work, my love?”

Cora shook her head and lifted her gaze to Teryn’s. Her cheeks heated, giving her away. Damn. She’d been caught.

“Perhaps,” she said sheepishly.

Teryn was half reclined on the blanket they’d laid out in the shade of a cherry tree. His silver hair was longer now, falling just below his shoulders. He was dressed in trousers, a linen shirt, and an open black waistcoat. It was a warm spring day, perfect for a picnic under pink blossoms that drifted from the branches like snow. They had a spread of bread, fruit, and tea sandwiches before them. The sun was bright, the air was fresh, and this was one of their first calm days to themselves in an entire year…

And here Cora was thinking about work and politics. Again.

“We do deserve a day off, you know,” Teryn said, lips quirked in a sideways grin.

He was right. After everything they’d worked toward this past year—forging peace, merging Vera with Khero, strengthening their position as king and queen, recovering from physical and emotional wounds—they truly did deserve some time to just be themselves. Teryn and Cora. The reaper and the witch. Two young people in love.

She scooted closer to Teryn, and he fully reclined the rest of the way, angling his body until he was resting his head in her lap. She adjusted the skirts of her cream day dress, arranging it in pools of lace around them. “I’m sorry,” she said with a wry grin. “I’ll pay attention to you now. I promise.”

He grinned up at her, his face dappled by sunlight and the shadows of the cherry blossoms. Cora tilted her head back and found Berol on one of the branches, preening. A gust of wind rattled the blossoms, forcing Berol to splay her wings. In its wake, a flurry of pink petals rained down over them. Cora grinned wide and extended her hand, trying to catch them as they fell. She managed to snatch three before the flurry settled. She opened her tattooed palm and let the petals drift onto their picnic blanket.

Her attention then drifted to her insigmora . Her tattoos had ceased growing on their own. It truly must have been the influence of fae mora that had made them take on a life of their own in the first place. Still, she didn’t need them to grow or change. She treasured her tattoos exactly as they were, a symbol of what she was. A memory of everything she’d experienced, inked on her body.

At least the absence of mora hadn’t hampered her witch magic. Her abilities continued to grow with every day. Six months ago, she’d managed to dissolve Morkai’s previously indestructible book. With a single touch, it had melted to ash. The last visible trace of him was gone.

Teryn’s magic remained unchanged. He’d grown used to seeing spirits and would give final rest to the rare few souls who sought him out for it. They hadn’t come across any dangerous entities yet, but if they ever did, Teryn was prepared to dispose of them by force.

Teryn’s fingertips brushed her cheek, and she shifted her gaze back to him. He grinned up at her from her lap. She ran a hand through his pale tresses, brushing a few errant strands from his brow.

His lashes fluttered shut. “I like the location you chose for our picnic.”

“Did you only just now notice?”

“No, I noticed from the start. What a sentimental woman you are.”

She snorted a laugh. Though he was right. She’d chosen their location with great fondness. The tree they sat under now was the very same Cora had once shot an arrow into the day she met Teryn. The stream rushed by their blanket in a soothing rhythm.

Teryn wasn’t the only person this location reminded her of.

It reminded her of Valorre too.

A heavy sensation struck her chest, and she winced.

Teryn’s eyes flew open, brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

Cora rubbed her breastbone, but the pressure remained. “It’s…I don’t know. I keep feeling this…ache. Almost like my lungs are inflating, but not my actual lungs. More like…a flare of magic?”

Teryn lifted himself from her lap and faced her. “You don’t think something’s wrong?”

The sensation passed, and she donned a reassuring grin. “I’m fine. It’s probably just my magic growing in a new way.”

He didn’t look convinced so she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. He returned it with tender care.

The ache sparked in her chest again.

She pulled back with a grimace she couldn’t hide. This time there was more than that heavy feeling. There was a tingle of energy with it, a familiar strain…

A chill ran through her.

It couldn’t be.

The energy grew closer, brighter, almost painful in its resonance. Emotions that were hers—yet somehow not hers—flooded her. Anticipation, anxiety, impatience, excitement. It was so overwhelming, it sparked tears in her eyes.

She rose to her feet before she realized she’d moved?—

Just as a flash of white emerged from the dense foliage downstream.

A gasp left Cora’s lips.

The white unicorn froze in place, ears erect, muscles quivering. Then all three were moving—Teryn, Cora, and Valorre.

I found you! Valorre’s voice filled Cora’s mind, the most welcome sound she could imagine. I found you! Do you know how long I’ve been looking?

Valorre could hardly hold still as Cora reached him and threw her arms around his thick neck. He tossed his mane, kicked his hooves, and nuzzled Cora with almost enough force to knock her over. She didn’t care. Laughter left her lips as happy tears streamed down her cheeks. Even Teryn was moved, his eyes glazed and crinkled at the corners as he patted the unicorn from the other side. Berol must have flown with them when they ran, for she now perched on Teryn’s shoulder, chirping and attempting to nip Valorre while Teryn petted him.

Once their excitement cooled to a simmer, allowing Cora to form words, she asked, “How did you manage it? How did you find us?”

I don’t know , he said, equal parts innocent and excited. I followed my heart and thoughts of you. And Teryn too! I tried to do the same thing we did when we worldwalked together. It was much harder without you, but…

He tossed his mane, and his tone changed at once.

But I am exceedingly capable, as you well know. I had no doubts that I would figure it out, and I did. Looks like I can use your magic just fine .

Was that what that strange sensation had been? Valorre using her magic? She’d begun feeling it more and more the past week. She pressed her face to his soft coat. “I never doubted you.”

I’ve seen some very strange things , Valorre said, abandoning his boastful demeanor. I saw a world without trees, only tall rectangular castles and horseless metal carriages that swarmed the ground. Humans cluttered the naked, treeless streets. Then I saw a world inhabited only by dragons. That was my least favorite. I also saw a world of eternal snow and a world of eternal night. I rather liked the world of eternal spring. There were these tasty apples…but they did something strange to me. I think I walked on a rainbow? And maybe I frolicked around a bonfire with wolves? The next day, I couldn’t feel my tongue or my legs.

Cora could hardly comprehend his words. He’d traveled to multiple worlds on the way here? And was poisoned by an apple? That was troubling. Mother Goddess, he was lucky to be alive.

She refused to let panic overwhelm her and took comfort in his presence. He was here. He was safe.

“Well, aren’t you the world traveler,” she said. “Or…multi-world traveler? Whatever the case, will you stay now that you’ve found us?”

He huffed a breath. Obviously .

She wrapped her arms around him again. “I’m really glad you’re home.”

I am too . A sweet silence fell between them until it was broken by, Is Teryn glad I’m home?

With a roll of her eyes, she pulled away from Valorre and conveyed the question to Teryn.

Teryn spoke with unwavering sincerity. “Val, I couldn’t be happier.”

Valorre tossed his mane with finesse, ensuring it rippled extra elegantly for Teryn’s sake.

Teryn extended his hand toward their picnic blanket under the cherry tree. “Would you like to join us?”

Oh, a food blanket!

“A picnic,” Cora corrected.

Are there apples?

“You want apples after everything that happened in…where was it? Eternal spring?”

Teryn frowned. “What’s this about eternal spring?”

“I’ll fill you in,” Cora muttered.

At the same time, Valorre gleefully conveyed, I always want apples!

They reached the blanket, which sure enough had three very non-poisonous apples, one of which Teryn handed to Valorre.

Valorre internally sighed, then took the apple from Teryn’s palm, munching away at once. He really is the best of men, isn’t he?

Cora chuckled as she and Teryn settled back onto the blanket. “All right, Valorre. You’ve got some explaining to do. Tell us more about your travels.”

SEVEN YEARS LATER – FAE REALM

Once upon a time, Mareleau had considered herself to be a woman without a heart. Or, if she’d had one at all, it was surely a shriveled thing, smothered by brambles and thorns. She now knew that had never been the case. She’d always had a heart; she’d simply kept it closed off for too many years. But love had helped break down her walls, and not just love for her husband. He’d been the first to breach them, but even Teryn had helped weaken them when she accepted him as her brother. Cora had shattered them the rest of the way, barreling into her heart despite neither of them wanting her to be there.

After that, it had been easy to love. Or… easier .

She’d repaired the burned bridges between her and her mother.

And she became a mother herself.

Now she knew what it was like to have a piece of her heart exist outside her body. First, it had cried, then it had crawled. It was most frightening when the piece of her heart had learned to toddle. She’d soothed many bruises and falls then, but just like the organ that beat in her chest, the child that represented her external heart recovered from every spill.

Noah was seven years old now, perched on a stool beside his father. Mareleau grinned as she watched the pair peering into a crystal cylinder that gave them a view of the stars overhead. They were outside on the rooftop terrace above their suite at Ailana’Auro Palace. The grand home of the Morkara had finished construction a year after the tear was sealed. Mareleau reclined on a cushioned divan, sipping Faeryn honey wine, while Ferrah dozed peacefully beside her, taking up a good half of the terrace.

The night was dark yet the stars glittered like rainbow shards, more brilliantly than they ever did in the human world. Larylis pointed out a constellation, conveying lore and facts about the stars that comprised it. Her husband had been right; El’Ara had provided ample interest for him. He relished learning all he could about the world. He’d become fluent in the fae language a year before she had, and now worked with Garot to record human history. Or as much of it that Larylis knew and could recall. Which was substantial, to be honest. Garot still served as the chief pathweaver in service of the Morkara, but his work with Larylis allowed him to explore his love for stories. Even taboo ones, like human history.

Mareleau took another sip of wine and turned her gaze to the heavens. The stars looked so different from how they had back home. Well, back at her previous home. This was her home now, and she, Noah, and Larylis had important roles here. Even Helena had adapted, and was now a member of Elvyn high society, mingling with the other esteemed mothers.

Regardless, the differences between El’Ara and the human world begged the questions…what exactly were parallel worlds? Were the two realms on different planets? Different planes of existence? Several prominent truthweavers had their own theories, but it seemed not all of them agreed. The whispers of their weavings often conveyed ideas that conflicted with one another’s findings.

Those conversations always made Mareleau smile. She knew firsthand just how flawed prophecies and truthweavings could be. The prophecy that had tangled her life had made it seem like her son would be front and center, a chosen one born to battle darkness and save the world. In truth, Mareleau and Cora had played the most significant roles. Yes, Noah’s birth had set everything into motion, but he hadn’t physically performed any of the feats the prophecy had spoken of.

Which was exactly what had brought the prophecy to fruition.

Mareleau and Cora, two women Darius had underestimated, had defeated him in different ways. Cora took control of Lela using intel he’d given her. Mareleau took his life.

Mareleau’s sense of victory, however, was always clouded with a pang of longing. She missed her friend terribly.

Noah giggled at something Larylis had said, then turned the crystal cylinder for a change of view. Their son was aging as normal human children aged, which was supposedly somewhat faster than the Elvyn did. He was growing so quickly, his looks already taking after Larylis’. His hair was several shades lighter than his father’s, a rosy gold to Larylis’ dark copper. Meanwhile, Larylis’ tresses reached his nape in loose waves and a short beard graced his chin. It suited him well, giving him a roguish-yet-scholarly look.

Noah averted his gaze from the cylinder, and his shoulders sank. Mareleau was immediately on alert, attuned to his moods like the admittedly overprotective mother she was.

Larylis noticed too, pushing the cylinder aside to face his son. “What’s wrong?”

Noah glanced from Larylis to Mareleau.

She was already on her feet and tried her best to keep her composure as she closed the distance between them. Crouching beside them with a gentle smile, she asked, “What is it, my love?”

Noah dropped his blue-green eyes. “Aribella told me that I’m…I’m a witch, an Elvyn, and a human all in one.”

Mareleau clenched her jaw. Aribella was a spoiled brat. Yet she was also the daughter of one of the most respected tribunal members and one of Noah’s classmates. Keeping her tone even, she said, “Yes, that’s true. You know this, darling.”

“Yes, but…” He met her gaze. “She said I’m destined to be evil. That the last person like me tried to destroy the world.”

She forced her lips into a reassuring smile. “Noah, I too have the blood of witches, humans, and Elvyn. Do you think I’m evil?”

“You can be scary sometimes, Mum,” he said with unabashed candor.

It was all she could do not to laugh. “Yes, well, being scary isn’t exactly evil, is it?”

He shifted from foot to foot. “What if I become like him? What if, once I’m old enough that you’re not regent anymore, I…do bad things with the mora ?”

Her first instinct was to insist that would never happen. In her heart of hearts, she knew it was true. But she wouldn’t be like Satsara. She wouldn’t brush aside serious topics and put her son on a pedestal.

“Here’s the thing,” she said. “Every person, whether human or fae, has aspects of darkness and light. I was once afraid of my darkest side, afraid of what it meant to be a narcuss. And it’s true that all forms of magic require respect and temperance. But you can notice shadows in your heart without letting them take over.”

“How can I be sure I don’t let them take over?”

“A very wise woman once told me,” she said, recalling her conversation with Salinda so many years ago, “that it’s a choice to follow the path of hope and love, even when you have dark feelings. Strength isn’t being good or perfect but meeting your darkness face to face and moving forward instead of sinking into it. No matter what you find in those shadows, it is important that you love yourself.”

Gently, she tapped his chest, right over his heart.

He puckered his lips, shifting them side to side as he pondered her words. “I don’t get it.”

She and Larylis laughed in unison. Larylis ruffled Noah’s hair. “You don’t have to understand it yet, but do remember your mother’s words. She’s a very intelligent woman.”

Noah turned a wide-eyed look to Mareleau. “I thought Pa was the smart one.”

Gods, even his unintentional insults were adorable. “He is, but I’m quite smart too. And so are you. Thank you for coming to us with such a heavy question.” She hugged her son tight. “And if Aribella ever says something like that again, you tell her I’ll?—”

“Let’s not threaten his classmates, love,” Larylis said with a laugh.

“I told you,” Noah said as Mareleau released him from her embrace. “Everyone says she’s scary.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she mumbled.

You know , came Ferrah’s lazy voice in her mind, I could always create a…little accident for this small rude Elvyn who has filled our dear Morkara’s head with such somber thoughts. If necessary .

Mareleau shot her gaze toward the creature and found the dragon still dozing on the terrace. Or pretending to doze. We are not murdering children. Not even brats like Aribella .

Just a scare .

Mareleau glared at the dragon until the creature cracked open one violet eye. She understood Ferrah’s teasing mirth then. You’re a real feisty beast, you know that?

Likewise . Ferrah closed her eye and settled back into slumber.

Mareleau shook her head, lips stretched in a wide grin, and settled in between the two loves of her life. With one arm wrapped around each of them, she said, “Show your scary mum your favorite constellation.”