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My sister wasn’t as clueless as she pretended. We passed through the rose gardens, and Elspeth paused to touch a copper-colored bloom. “These are stunning, Cini. They look just like Mother's.”

That was the highest praise she could give me. “Mom helped me lay out the bed, choose the colors for the original plants, and taught me how to recreate the protective spells she used at the castle. Surprisingly, Rod’s a big fan of gardening.”

I led them along the path between beds. Sitting between the two was a cement bench—a gift from Rod when we finished blocking off the ground. At the far end, the pride of my garden bloomed in full glory.

I stopped at the first row. “Rod and I planted this when we arrived.”

“Your copper and his white,” Colum said, as he touched the Ivory petals. “This captures your balance perfectly.”

The pale steel-blue row was next. “Ailpein is so like Rod at times, but he has a bold streak Rod says comes from me.”

“They’re stunning,” Elspeth said. “They’re almost silver in this light.”

I wasn’t surprised my sister saw Ailpein’s true color. We couldn’t get silver, but this was close enough. “These are for my little firebird.”

The rose-gold blooms were the essence of my fiery daughter, who had her father’s caring heart.

“You’ve done an amazing job, Cini,” Elspeth said. “Who knew you’d inherit Mom’s talent for seeing everyone’s nature?”

Their joyous reactions were enough for me to ignore her use of my hated nickname.

“In those days when Rod and I were apart, I would visit Mom’s garden and feel the connection to everyone she created.

The day I took Rod there, he promised to build me a garden, because he knew in his heart we’d get here. He was right.”

I let them linger in my perfect place. This was the heart of our family—just like Mom’s had been for hers.

“Speaking of Mom,” Colum said. “She has ideas about what the twins should wear to Lauch’s wedding. Be prepared if she brings it up tomorrow."

Rod and I really didn’t pay enough attention to what happened outside our little bubble. This issue, however, was already settled. “We told Fiona she could pick Adelais’s dress, and we’ve already got Ailpein a tuxedo. He looks really cute.”

Beyond the garden, the house sat beside a playground Rod built for the children. The chaotic mess of toys and equipment embodied our lives. We paid attention to what mattered most, and didn’t sweat the little things.

The front door of the house burst open, and Leo and Gwyneth emerged. Ailpein rode on his uncle’s shoulder, beaming like he owned the world. He looked more like a Hollen than a FionnLoach, but at least he had my amber eyes. Even at five, his magic suggested he’d be a powerful mage.

My daughter was holding Auntie Gwyn’s hand. She somehow convinced my proper oldest sister to skip. Adelais had my copper-red hair, and was all phoenix.

“Papa!” Adelais broke free and raced toward me like we hadn’t seen each other in days. Her hair streamed behind her like a phoenix flame as she ran.

Ailpein studied us for a second before he smiled and got Leo to head in our direction. As with most twins, their different personalities complemented each other.

I scooped Adelais into my arms while Ailpein high-fived his aunt and uncle.

“Busy morning, Auntie Gwyn?” I asked when Gwyneth joined us.

“No more so than usual,” she said. “First we did flame painting, followed by story time with Leo animating images as I read, and now, we’re going outside to play on the swings and slide. Sadly, neither Leo nor I can fit on the slide.”

“They’re too big,” Ailpein said.

“We don’t want it to break,” Adelais said. “Daddy built it for us kids.”

Elspeth barely held back a snort. “Smart kiddos.”

I tossed my daughter onto my shoulders and jogged with Leo to the playground. It was a good omen for the rest of the day. The adults indulged the kids at their level. A far cry from the state affair we could expect at the castle.

“So glad we had the kids’ party today,” I told Rod. “They’re already having fun.”

“That was my mate’s idea,” Rod answered. “But then he’s an amazing parent.”

Neither of us ever felt like we knew what we were doing, but sometimes we got it right.

“ A delais, please sit still,” I pleaded, attempting to thread a ribbon through her hair while she wiggled in my lap. “You don’t want it to be crooked, do you?”

“But you said I could wear the blue ones,” she protested. Her skin had warmed enough that I kept a closer eye on her. “The red is ugly.”

Trying to teach a five-year-old that their favorite color didn’t match their hair had been an ongoing battle. I scooped her up and stood in front of the mirror. I put the red one to my hair. “Does this look good on me?”

“Oh, Papa.” She giggled. “That’s silly.”

Step one accomplished. While she was in a better mood, I held up the blue to her hair. “Doesn’t the red look better in your hair?”

She considered the two and finally nodded. “Yes, Papa, but I like the blue better.”

I set her down and wrapped the blue ribbon around her wrist. “If I put it in your hair, you can’t see your favorite color. Now you can see it all day.”

Her face lit up, and she gave me a big hug. “Thank you, Papa!”

I would never get tired of hugs and kisses.

“It's scratchy,” Ailpein complained from across the room. He tugged at his shirt collar. “Why can't I wear my normal clothes?”

“Grandma Aileen and Grandpa Malachy are having a special celebration at the castle because you two are five years old,” Rod explained patiently. “You don’t want to disappoint them by not being dressed up, do you?”

His face scrunched up slightly, and then he shook his head. “No, Daddy. I don’t want to make them sad.”

He caught my eye and winked. It was a familiar dance—Rod playing the reasonable one with Ailpein, while I found little ways to appease Adelais without letting her get her way. So far, it had worked well. Time would tell if we could keep it up.

“Will Great-Grandpa Hollen be there?” Adelais asked, taking her eyes off her blue ribbon for a moment. “He's funny and he can make candy come from his ears.”

“Yes,” Rod said, trying not to laugh at his grandfather’s antics. “Great-Grandpa Beornraed will be there with Great-Grandma Esmerelda.”

“Uncle Gund’s coming today too, right?” Ailpein asked earnestly. “He showed me how to roar like a dragon yesterday and said we could do it together at the castle.”

It still amazed me how serious beings could devolve into juveniles when dealing with kids. “He will,” I said, fixing my gaze on my son. “But remember your promise to him—no roaring except when he says it’s okay.”

“But if he says it’s okay?” Ailpein pressed, his amber eyes serious as he searched for loopholes.

“If he says it’s okay, then yes,” Rod said.

“Make sure we talk to Gund before we leave the island,” Rod said. “He needs to adult up until Mom and Dad get their family moment.”

“I want Mr. Snuggles," Adelais announced, breaking free to retrieve her stuffed unicorn.

"I got my mage stone,” Ailpein said, pulling out the child-size imitation diamond Owen gave him for his birthday the day before.

“Funny how of all the gifts he got yesterday, that’s the one he loves most,” Rod said.

It wasn’t surprising. Ailpein wanted to be like his daddy. The real shock was no one thought of it before Owen and Lysandor. “He’s his father’s son.”

“We need to leave in ten minutes,” Rod announced to the children. “Make sure you have everything you need.”

The children scrambled around the room getting things they “needed” but weren’t going to make the trip. “Five years,” I said softly. “I still can't believe we made it.”

“Made it?” Rod raised an eyebrow. “This is just the beginning. Buckle up, firebird, the ride’s just starting.”

T he western dock had expanded since we'd first arrived on the island. The lone berth for our small boat had grown to accommodate twenty vessels of various sizes. Today, most of the slips were filled, as our siblings gathered for the journey to the castle.

“The weather’s perfect," Bart observed, his son Eaghan sleeping peacefully in the carrier on his chest. Even at this age, I could see his elven nature. “Much better than the downpour last time we were here.”

Cael held their three-year-old daughter Katarina’s hand as they stepped onto the dock. The little girl's blonde hair was nearly white in the sunlight, and her blue eyes had the same glint Bart’s had even when he was relaxing.

“A’pein!" Katarina called, spotting my son among the crowd. “I wanna ride with A’pein.”

Ailpein looked to Rod and me for permission, his expression serious beyond his years. At our nod, he extended his hand to his cousin. “You sit with me and Adie,” he said, helping her carefully onto our vessel.

“She's got him wrapped around her finger already,” Bart noted with amusement. “Reminds me of someone else I know.” He glanced meaningfully at me.

“I have no idea what you're talking about," I replied innocently, watching as Adelais took charge of organizing the seating arrangements in our boat.

Around us, siblings and their mates prepared for departure. Jan and Conall discussed something with Avie, whose fiancé, Malcolm, held out his hand from on board their boat. Elspeth joined their boat, her friendship with Avie had continued after their work together during the war.

Leo and Gund stood with Owen, Lysandor, Otto, and Thal. Colum joined them and said something that made them all laugh. It gave me a thrill seeing how close everyone had become.

“This was a great idea having all the siblings get together,” Cael said, helping Gwyneth onto the boat. “We should make it an annual tradition.”

His comment was perfectly timed. Watching our families interact, we’d maintained the bonds we forged during the fight to stop Blackstone. The shared experience that united our families. “Absolutely,” I agreed. “You’re in charge of the planning.”

“Ready?” Rod called, before Cael could protest.

“I want Kat to sit with me!” Adelais announced, as she stood in front of her brother and cousin.

My little firebird was going to be a handful. “Sit down, love, or you’ll fall in,” I said, walking over to the kids. “Kat, sweetie, can you sit between Adie and Ailpein, please?”

Like the sweet child she was, Katarina happily sat between her two older cousins, looking pleased they’d been fighting over her. They were going to be a handful, all of them, but they’d also be close. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

T he castle dock was crowded as our tiny armada arrived.

Mom and Dad stood at the front with Bart’s parents.

All four waited with barely contained excitement.

Lauch and Fiona joined our parents, having returned to the castle after the party.

I felt bad seeing his face as they prepared to leave early.

The weight of his responsibilities had already settled onto his shoulders.

I planned to talk to my siblings after the party to see if we could take on a little bit to give him more freedom.

I felt a gentle surge of earth magic as our boat touched the dock. A warm, approving pulse that radiated up through my body. Rod felt it too; I saw the recognition in his eyes as our gazes met. The Earth had asked a lot of us, but now it seemed to offer its blessing.

In that moment, I realized our duties as anchors weren’t a one-way obligation. For all we gave to maintain the Great Ward, the Earth had returned our service tenfold: a home, a family, a life richer than either of us could have imagined.

The kids began to wave toward their grandparents, who were reduced to childish displays and waved eagerly back. The moment the boat docked, Cael, Rod, and I helped the three kids off the boat and watched them race ahead.

The four grandparents acted like they had no responsibilities other than entertaining three little beings who never wanted for attention.

Chancellor Hollen and King Malachy ceased to exist, as their formal personas were replaced by doting grandfathers who had no defense against small arms wrapping around their necks.

“Look at them,” Rod said, his hand finding mine. “Worth every sacrifice.”

I couldn't speak past the lump in my throat, so I squeezed his hand instead. The Great Ward hummed steadily in the background of my consciousness, a constant reminder of our responsibility. It wasn’t a burden, however, it was the foundation upon which we’d built our new life.

A life filled with love, family, and hope. Something worth protecting.

Exactly what Grandfather intended with his sacrifice.

“Let’s go celebrate,” I said.

The End

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the Mages and Mates world. This is the end of this series, but mates will have lives that span centuries. I hope in time to share more stories of their lives and introduce you to new adventures.