Page 45 of The Dark Will Fall (Twilight Lake #5)

The Mer were scattered, and Tarsainn was rubble.

The remaining Mer found their way to Cruinn to surrender to the Undine Queen in the days following Balor’s horrendous attack—though they quickly discovered that a new ruler had taken the throne, with Cormac Illfinn by her side.

Though the Mer were not forgiving of their king for abandoning their creed in the midst of War, they were relieved that Cormac Illfinn was not dead.

Cruinn, where the Undine ruled the Twilight Lake, was in a similar state.

Balor had kidnapped many of the citizens from the streets, no doubt planning to use their bodies as vessels for her Fomorian allies.

Luckily, Balor had been defeated before most of the Undine lost their lives.

They returned from the dungeons to find their homes destroyed by a combination of the Oilliphéist and a giant god.

Restoration began in the city, with Liam Cruinn at the helm.

The Skala Isles, the gnashing cliffs that protected the Selkies in their home, did not disappear, though they grew less ravenous.

Allowing guests and trusted fae to pass through their protection.

Rainn Shallows was able to visit his siblings, though the Selkies remained reluctant to leave the protection of their beach.

As the seventh son of the queen, Rainn held no position in his mother’s kingdom and was welcomed in the Esteemed Undine Court to much fanfare.

The Reeds did not disappate, but the Kelpies had always been a private creed. Tormalugh Shadowhock stepped down from the line of succession to give his crown to his younger sister, Elsbeth.

The Nymphs had chosen a home in the Day Court to forge alliances with new Fae, without the need for waterbreathing. Shay Mac Eoin, the previous chieftain-nominate, remained in Criunn, at his mate's side. He chose a job in the archives, where he got to read and distribute stories all day.

And Maeve Cruinn?

Maeve Cruinn sat on the High Throne, no longer needing to bleed for her power—with her four mates by her side. Her inner court comprised all five creeds. Undine, Nymph, Selkie, Kelpie, and Mer.

And the lake knew peace.