Papa. Mama.
The words stuck in her throat. Her vision blurred. Her hands were shaking.
Her mother opened her arms.
The tears came without permission.
Dante leaned close. "Gabriel showed them the truth. They know you never betrayed them. They're at peace now, and you can visit whenever you wish."
"Go to them," Dante said, letting her go.
Dignity be damned.
Brynn ran.
She picked up her skirts and sprinted across the hall, not caring how it looked, not caring about anything except reaching them.
The assembly parted. Her parents met her halfway, solid enough to catch her as all three collided in a tangle of arms and tears.
"My little haggler," her father whispered against her hair, using the nickname from when she'd argue prices at his stalls. "My brave, brilliant girl."
"I'm so sorry." The words tore from her throat. "I tried to clear your names. Tried to prove your innocence. I tried?—"
"Shh." Her mother's hands framed her face, ethereal but warm, thumbs wiping tears. "You survived, baby. You survived and became something extraordinary." Her voice cracked. "That's all we ever wanted."
Her father touched the crown on her head with gentle fingers. "The Lady of Boundaries. Our daughter, ruling beside a Death Lord."
"We couldn't be prouder," her mother whispered.
Brynn held them tighter, years of grief cracking apart. They knew. They finally knew the truth.
"I love you both so much."
"We love you too." Her mother pulled back slightly. "But this is your moment. Your night." She glanced toward the front of the room. "And your Death Lord is waiting."
Brynn turned, still holding her mother's hand.
Dante stood exactly where she'd left him, one arm extended toward her across the distance. The entire assembly remained on their knees around him, frozen.
"Go," her parents said together. "We'll be here. We have eternity now."
She squeezed their hands once more, then straightened her spine. Wiped her face. Drew in a breath that hurt.
She walked back through the parted gathering with her head high. Not running this time. Walking like the Death Lady she'd become.
She placed her hand in Dante's outstretched palm.
His fingers closed around hers immediately. Anchoring her.
"Thank you," she whispered.
His thumb brushed over her knuckles.For you. Always for you.
He turned to address the assembly. "Rise."
The gathering stood as one.
"Tonight, we recognize formally what has already been established through blood and bond." His darkness spread outward, filling the chamber. "The Lady of Boundaries. Master of the ward-systems. Architect of the barriers between realms."
