LOGIN"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
**Evangeline's POV** I woke to the sound of knocking at my door. Not the harsh banging of servants or guards, but gentle taps that seemed almost shy. The thorns covering my walls shifted at the sound, black vines rustling like they were listening. The white flowers scattered among them glowed br
"She could be the key," I breathed. "Exactly," Kael nodded eagerly. "An ally within their own territory, someone who can strike from inside their defenses when the time comes." I resumed pacing, my mind racing through possibilities. This wasn't just another piece on the board. This was the start
The black star on my palm was burning now, so hot it should have been agony. Instead, it felt like awakening. I released Father's hands and stood up, walking to his desk where a silver letter opener lay on a stack of papers. The witch had died before she could finish the ritual, but she'd whispere
**Evangeline's POV** I woke up screaming. The pain hit me like lightning striking bone... a crushing weight in my chest that felt like someone was reaching through my ribs to squeeze my heart. My back arched off the bed as agony tore through every nerve, every muscle, every drop of blood in my b







