“The best decision I ever made,” Esther whispered into the fabric of his coat, “was falling on an elf.”
Nythir’s arms tightened around her.
“Then I will spend the rest of my life,” he murmured into her hair, “making sure you never regret it.”
Behind them, the lanterns glowed, the garden bloomed, and the kingdom celebrated.
Ahead of them, the future waited.
Epilogue: Lucy
How to Accidentally Become Important: join a guild and get adopted without consent.
The Golden Phoenix Guild had been alive for exactly twelve days, and already Lucy was convinced it would one day kill her.
Not metaphorically.
Actually.
Physically.
Emotionally.
Possibly spiritually.
The office she worked in—her office now—was the size of a ballroom, stacked with maps, missions, magical paperwork (which was somehow worse than regular paperwork), and five separate piles labeled DO NOT TOUCH by Basil.
The new guild headquarters on palace grounds was gorgeous in a “this will absolutely burn down once Vorrik tries to cook” sort of way. Its halls were filled with clashing personalities:
Esther: hyperfocused and glowing with newfound leadership energy.
Nythir: calm, quietly sharpening knives in a way Lucy tried not to overthink.
Lyssara: already threatening to eat the nobles who filed incorrect paperwork.
Vorrik: building bunk beds and yelling motivational compliments.
Sylva: Absolutely not here for Lucy (he insisted).
Also, Sylva: literally here because of Lucy (everyone insisted).
Life was good.
Chaotic, exhausting, and constantly on the verge of an accidental explosion—
But good.
Lucy was halfway through rewriting a recruitment form for the fifth time (why did it need three signatures and a magical blood oath? Who made this? Oh, right—Basil) when a knock rattled the open office door.
Lupin burst in—dramatic, wild-haired, sword in hand as if responding to a national emergency.
“Lucy!” he barked. “You’re summoned to the king’s office!”
Summoned.
By the king.
Her brain stopped. Her soul briefly left her body for snacks.
