Masuk"They'll never get tired of that story," she murmured. "Good. They should know what we went through to get here. What we survived." She pulled me to a stop, looking up at me with those eyes that still made my heart skip. "I'm glad you came for me. Even though I would have been okay eventually. I'm
"That's how you killed him?" This from Marcus, practical as always. "With the bond?" "With the bond and with magic and with determination to protect what we loved." I touched Hope's hair, then Marcus's. "To protect our future. Our chance at the family we'd been trying to build for seven lifetimes."
Chapter 159 Epilogue **Ronan's POV** "Tell us again, Papa." Hope tugged on my sleeve, her golden eyes bright in the firelight. "Tell us about the Shadow Realm." "You've heard that story a hundred times," I said, but I was already settling into the big chair by the fire. Marcus climbed into my ot
"I can't do this," I gasped as another wave of pain hit. "It's too much. I can't." "Yes, you can." Ronan's voice was steady even though I could feel his terror through the bond. "You fought Silas. You survived the Shadow Realm. You can do this." "That was easier," I groaned. He actually laughed.
The bond blazed so bright I could barely breathe. His emotions crashed into mine. Love and regret and hope and determination all tangled together. Helena turned to me. "Your vows, Lunara." My birth name. My true name. It still felt strange to hear it. I looked at Ronan and suddenly all my prepare
Chapter 158 **Evangeline's POV** The moon hung full and silver above us, so bright it hurt to look at directly. I stood at the edge of the clearing, barefoot in the grass, and tried to remember how to breathe. My dress was simple. White silk that moved like water. No train. No veil. Just me and t
My fingers found the pendant at my throat, Maeve's protection charm. The silver felt warm against my skin, a reminder of the last person who had tried to help me. For a heartbeat, I almost pulled back. Almost chose the safer path. Then I thought of Ronan's engagement announcement. Celeste's laug
How I'd wanted to reach across that table and take her hand instead of sitting here listening to Celeste plan our future. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine it. What it would be like if Evangeline was sitting across from me instead. Would she order the most expensive thing on the menu? Or would
**Evangeline's POV** Monday arrived like a storm cloud. I'd barely slept after finding the black rose on my windowsill, and my nerves felt raw and exposed. Every shadow in my apartment had looked like a threat. Every creak of the old building had made my heart race. The silver pendant Maeve had
**Evangeline's POV** I should have stayed home. The thought pounded through my head as I walked through the crowded hallways of Blackclaw Academy. Students moved around me in excited clusters, their voices bright with anticipation for Celeste's engagement party tomorrow night. Everyone seemed to







