Page 118

Epilogue

EIGHT MONTHS LATER…

Merrik blinked, his eyes still heavy with sleep, as he tried to figure out what had woken him. The gray of predawn showed outside the window beside his bed in his family’s home in Estyra.

A knocking came again. Not from the door to the stairs but from the closed double doors to the balcony.

“Coming.” Merrik rolled upright, reached for where his new wheelchair was parked beside the bed, and transferred himself to it. Taking the wheelchair would be quicker than buckling on his peg leg or prosthetic. And while his left leg was strong enough to bear his weight while he hopped across a room, steadied by his wooden staff, he didn’t want to risk rolling that ankle and falling.

Not on today of all days.

The knock came again, more insistent this time.

Merrik rolled his eyes and sighed as he pushed himself across the room. It was probably Fieran. Only he would wake Merrik up today at this annoyingly early hour of the morning.

“Fieran. You could have had the decency to let me sleep in on my—” Merrik slid back the bolt and threw open the doors.

It wasn’t Fieran standing there, but Adry, wearing a green shirt and trousers, her hair loose down her back.

She sent him a fake glare before she poked his shoulder. “I’m a little insulted that you were expecting my brother and not me. Especially today.”

“You should not be here.” He stared at her, his mind still too sleep-muddled. “It is⁠—”

“Our wedding day, yes. I know. Why do you think I couldn’t sleep another wink?” Adry sighed with a wave at him, as if that was entirely his fault. “And I wasn’t about to wait until after all the rigmarole to see you.”

“But…” He wasn’t sure why he was protesting. He hadn’t been thrilled with having to wait until she walked down the aisle to see her either.

She sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s our wedding day.”

“Finally.” He held her, leaning his forehead against hers.

The two of them had waited more than long enough for this day. They hadn’t been given leave for months after the war ended. The Mongavarian government had collapsed shortly after the surrender, sending the kingdom into turmoil. Because of that, the Alliance had kept the Half-Breed Squadron and Adry at Fort Defense throughout the winter, just in case the violence in Mongavaria spilled over into an attack on the Alliance.

Then, once they’d finally been given an extended leave, Merrik had had to wait again while Fieran traveled to the dwarven mountains with Pip. Not to mention Pretty Face, Stickyfingers, and Lije had to complete the mission Merrik had sent them on in the ogre kingdom of Groyria.

At least the time had given the elven builders time to construct a new house for Merrik and Adry in the shadow of Ellonahshinel’s branches. Merrik couldn’t see it from the balcony—the screening foliage was too thick—but it was ready and waiting for him and Adry. A small cottage grown into a tree with ramps and lifts and not a single stair in sight. He could navigate the whole place no matter if he was wearing his prosthetic or resting in the wheelchair.

“What are you thinking about?” Adry toyed with strands of his hair, a soft smile on her face and lighting her blue eyes.

“Our home. Our future.” He smiled, the words warm in his chest. It would be a good future. One where they discovered new dreams, raised their children, worked alongside their families, spoiled nieces and nephews, and simply lived.

“Those are nice thoughts.” Her voice lowered. “I was thinking about kissing you.”

“Hmm. An even nicer thought.” He took her up on the invitation and kissed her, burying his hands in her hair.

There came a thump from somewhere behind Adry. Then a muffled, gargling kind of cough.

Merrik broke off the kiss with a sigh, looking past Adry to where Fieran now stood at the end of the balcony. “What are you doing here?”

“Hanging out with my best friend before his wedding.” Fieran had his hands in his pockets, his gaze upward as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to look at the sight of them kissing. “But I see I’m interrupting.”

“Fieran…” Adry groaned as she dropped her forehead onto Merrik’s shoulder. “Go away.”

“I agree. As much as I look forward to becoming your brother today, shashon, please give us five more minutes.” Merrik stretched out his left foot and gave one of the double doors a nudge, sending it swinging closed.

Getting the idea, Adry reached behind her and gave the other door a similar shove with a hand.

Merrik caught one last glimpse of Fieran, making an exaggerated show of pulling up his sleeve to check his wristwatch, before the door snicked shut.

Adry faced Merrik again, her mouth in a grimace. “It’s always going to be like this, you know.”

“I would not have it any other way.” He truly wouldn’t. Fieran was his brother, and they would always have each other’s backs.

Then he kissed Adry again.

Life—and their future—was so very good.