Even as they all laugh, Aura cannot help but reflect on a time when she would have killed for this moment. For the first time in a long time, she feels light in her heart and a flutter of excitement for what is to come.
Everyone falls into separate conversations over the excitement of Thora’s impending coronation, Bjorn’s venture to Steinlund, and Aura and Calder's training with Crystal.
With their family distracted, Calder pulls Aura away into the gardens. His lips brush against her knuckles.
“I always thought the gods had forsaken me. But the night you crawled onto my ship with that fierce determination in your eyes, I thought maybe they had seen fit to offer me another chance at happiness.” His hand caresses her cheek. “You have me, baby girl. However long the gods grant me, I am yours.”
EPILOGUE
AURA
Five Winters Later
Year 26, 10th Era
Heart of Treland Castle, Treland
Aura presses her palms against her warm cheeks as the sweet mead courses through her veins, drawing a smile on her lips.
The lively hum of chatter and laughter in the brightly lit Great Hall fills her with warmth.
After her parents expressed a desire to abdicate their crown in favor of their youngest child, she feared the rest of the country would look down on the witch who had spent three winters training with the Wicked Wyvern of Skalor.
At least the country of Skalor saw a turnaround after the demise of their Queen and one of their patron gods. Even the never-ending winter dissipated, allowing crops to prosper once again.
“Your Majesty,” one of the misogynistic Timber Council members bows respectfully to her. “Your coronation ceremony was fitting for a ruler of our country, and this reception was far more enjoyable than I expected. The Council was uncertain about seeing a lone Redwood Queen on the throne again, but your strength andstability are well-received in Timber.” He inclines his head across the hall at her Uncle Grim, who raises a flagon before slipping away to his bedchamber.
“We expect great things from you, Queen Aura.”
Aura murmurs a ‘thank you,’ feeling grateful that Calder stands at her side, gently stroking her back. Theseidrwounds have never faded with time, making him more terrifying than ever in his courtly attire, which consists only of black linen trousers, a tunic, and a vest.
“Are you sure you don’t want the title of King, my Prince Consort?” She wraps her arms around his waist.
After five winters together, he has stayed resolute in his wish to support Aura rather than rule a kingdom again.
“No, Princess.” His fingers weave through her curls, carefully avoiding her mother’s sapphire tiara nestled in her russet locks. “I have exhausted my time as a leader. I am ready to dedicate my life to my family.”
As if sensing their conversation, one of their toddlers appears around the corner, heading away from the family suites in the newly refurbished Heart of Treland Castle. The castle is located at the central point of all three provinces. This newly established royal palace is more centrally situated to govern the country and offers her parents the privacy they seek in Salt.
“Papa! Papa!” Their daughter, Adelissa, runs straight into Calder’s legs. Her little bottom lip trembles in indignation. Even though she has been running around barefoot, her dress remains surprisingly clean.
Calder scoops her up. “What happened, sweetheart?"
“Bubba pulled my hair!” she cries in her sweet, childlike babble, clutching her dark curls and burying her tiny face into his shoulder.
“Sissy!” Their son, Ludovic, Addie’s twin, appears with Edmund close at his heels. The Gothi, who now functions as one of their Head Advisors, is out of breath.
To think he was a man of his word, having followed them back to the Inner Sanctum and then to Treland.
“Ludovic?” Calder places his free hand on his hip, assessing their son.
After praying for a safe birth, she selected their children’s names from the Guardian Mausoleum. Adelissa and Ludovic were two previous Guardians who lived long and legend-filled lives.
The only strange thing was Calder’s shocked expression and speechlessness when she first uttered their names.
Ludo stomps his tiny feet, and Edmund translates the tantrum. “Ludovic has trouble listening to someone else’s thoughts during playtime and burned Addie’s dollhouse with hisseidr.” He chuckles. “Except, she punched him, which led to the hair-pulling that ensued.”
As new little halvguds, the Norn sought to bestow both their children as elemental wielders. Ludovic controls Grandma Maeve’s fire ability, while Adelissa controls Grandpapi Briny’s waterseidr.
