By the time we all left the Winter Court, I was feeling pretty good about the way things had turned out. In one month I’d come back and make sure Priscilla was still the right person to rule the Winter Court. I had high hopes that she was. Even a short time out of the hut had seen a huge return of vitality to her. I would be present at her coronation ceremony. For now, I was going to send across some of my own shifter guards, just to keep an eye on things.
Upon returning to Manhattan, back in my mecca stone room, Shelley and I said at the same time: “Let’s go get our kids.”
Kade was already reaching for my hand. “Baladar and Nikoli already have a car waiting.” He must have planned this before we left.
Just the thought of having Winnie back by my side, of the three of us being a family together,was enough to have joy and happiness ricocheting between us. I almost couldn’t believe we had done it. We were going to be a proper family. No more absences. No more wars or fae or worry. This was finally the part where I could look back and say all of the sacrifice was worth it. We had done it, we had beaten the fae.
I started to run for the door, dragging my mate behind me. Kian and Shelley laughed as they hurried along too. We were going to get our kids. Our family.
EPILOGUE
Six Months Later
Happily Ever After.
“Where is the cake? It should have been here an hour ago!” I griped to Kade as he cut lemons for the water pitcher.
He chuckled. “Serves you right for ordering a four-tier cake for a six-year-old’s birthday.”
I pinned him with a mock glare. “Winnie had a rough year. She deserves the best.” I peered past him, out into the garden of our Staten Island home.
It was just starting to warm again after the winter months, so all of the shifters were enjoying the gardens. I could see Winnie and Nathanial, both dressed as pirates, chasing each other with plastic swords.
Annette entered the kitchen. “She’ll make a wonderful queen one day.”
I chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get her in a dress.”
I stripped off my sweater, suddenly feeling extra warm despite the end-of-winter chill still in the air.
“Cake is here!” Violet screamed from the entryway.
I bolted down the hall. “How does it look?”
I came to a halt beside my best friend, the sparkling diamond on her left finger still catching my eye. It was a massive rock. Nikoli had gone all out, knowing the way Violet loved shiny things. Their road together might have been a little rocky, but in the end he was perfect for her. I had no complaints. He’d been instrumental in her healing, and most days those shadows no longer touched her face. She was finally free.
“It looks nicer than your wedding cake,” she told me, peeking in the box.
I chuckled. Kade and I had gotten married three months ago. A small affair, just as we had wanted, with only close family and friends on the rooftop terrace of our Manhattan home. The following day, we’d had a large ball for the entire shifter community, and the fae came as well. King Samson and Prince Caspien had both visitedfor a short time, offering their congratulations and reinforcing our alliance. So had Queen Priscilla. One month had been more than enough time for the rightful heir of the Winter Court to regain her strength and mental composure. All reports confirmed she was a fair and just queen. For the first time in a long time, the winter fae were at peace. Prosperous. Building relationships with the other courts.
The biggest surprise wedding guest had been Zandu. He’d presented both Kade and I with an elven blade, made just for us. A priceless gift.
Gently shoving Violet to the side, I peeked in the box at the rich buttercream frosting and the large golden edible pirate chest, chocolate coins spilling out onto the base of the cake. “Itisnicer than my wedding cake,” I agreed.
For once, looking at a delicious, multi-tiered cake didn’t make me want to shove my face right into it and eat until I couldn’t stand. The smell of all the sugar was actually making me a bit nauseous. My wolf even grumbled, and we loved cake.
Probably the six plates of fondue you had last night.Finn’s voice was a husky laugh in my head. Last night had been our weekly fondue family gathering, and I had been starving.Yep, my stomach has been off since then. Probably got a bad piece of cheese or something.
I disconnected from my familiar when I realized Violet was staring at me with concern. “Are you okay?” she asked.
I waved her off. “I’m fine. Just feel blah today. Ate some bad cheese. Stress from party planning. I just want today to be perfect for Winnie.”
She peered a little closer at me, her eyes narrowing. She gave a small cough and shook her head. “Uh … what did you get Winnie for her birthday?” she asked.
I almost squealed in excitement. Winnie was going to be so thrilled when she saw her present. “A huge rock wall. Kade had it installed in her room.”
Violet raised one eyebrow. “And...?”
“And some smaller stuff like a drawing pad and a new teddy bear.”
