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EPILOGUE: CALLIE

Robbie toddles toward me.

“You got out of your crib again, didn’t you?” I croon at the little Prince. I know I shouldn't be encouraging him to do things like that, but I'm secretly impressed.

After the Coronation, as I’ve taken to calling it, Hank’s sister said Robbie glowed for a good five minutes. The magic chose him as my heir, as I hoped it would. I have to admit to putting the idea out there, and the magic seemed happy with it. I'm not sure why everyone seemed to think the magic couldn't be swayed because I can't say I've had that problem.

He's living with us now, along with his nanny. But only after I had a long, heart-to-heart talk with her and found her to be nothing but devoted to the child. Plus, she was my mother’s nanny. Since I took the throne, she’s told me many stories of my mother and grandmother. It's helping me feel close to them. Not that I've had too many issues with that since accepting the magic.

As if summoned by my thoughts, she runs into the room, chasing after Robbie. She snatches him up. “Come on, Robbie, You need a diaper change.”

He squeals in delight. The little imp has become attached to me, but his nanny is his favorite. I assume it's because he's known her longer. But it's fine. There's plenty of time for the two of us to bond more.

With Robbie out of the way, I turn my attention to the view from our balcony. It's my favorite place in our new home. Movement below me attracts my attention, and I see my cat pouncing on something or other in the grass. She's stayed close to me since the king’s death. Another comfort. I don't think I could have gotten used to a life without her.

James comes out of the office, a small one he insisted be attached to our bedroom. He swore we’d want moments of privacy where we could still work.

He strides over and kisses me on the cheek but doesn't say anything, just leaves me to my thoughts.

This place may not be the castle, but that's on purpose. The palace is too tainted now and holds too many memories of the family I'll never know and the horrors that happened there. We've cleaned it out and put a spell on it so it wouldn’t fall into disrepair. Maybe one day, we'll use it for something. Or a future generation will.

Instead, we've built our own home-stroke-palace over the foundations of Nan and Fran's place. With the latter's permission, naturally. But we have tons of room, and we needed it between the four of us, Fran, the extended family, and all the existing servants, who had to be kept on and moved from the castle.

Plus, room for visiting dignitaries. Being Queen is nothing like anyone seems to think. So far, there haven't been many ballgowns and tiaras. It's much more about paperwork. And people. Thankfully.

I turn from the balcony overlooking the sea to find James watching me.

“What?” I ask, secretly loving it when he does that.

“Communing with your dead relatives again?” he asks.

I laugh and brush past him, but he grabs my hand and tugs me close.

"Where are you going, Your Majesty?" he murmurs against my neck.

I giggle as he puts his hand on the small of my back. "I have an appointment, don't I?"

"Yes, with your advisors," Will says as he and Hank enter the room.

"I'd better go." James presses kisses to my neck and pulls me even closer.

"Your advisors are coming to you today," Hank adds. "I scheduled us a little free time."

I realize what they've done, and rushes of pleasure spread through my body. "Oh, really? Well, if that's what's on my agenda, who am I to argue?"

"Your Majesty," Will says with a low bow. "What do you command?"

"Oh, that never gets old, does it?" They love to tease me for being the queen. "As your queen, I command you to rock my world."

They have triple glints of challenge in their eyes.

"As you wish," James says. "Your Majesty."