The Black Hall was turned upside down.

She hadn't been there for very long, but Joslyn assured Ashley that the Hall had never been so busy and so full of confusion and mayhem.

They were back on the walkway, rushing around, trying to make sure everyone was accounted for. There was simply so much to do that Ashley was beginning to worry about Joslyn's condition and health.

"I'm fine," Joslyn said, laughing. "Stop fretting. You're like the healers. They would have me lay down until I gave birth and then lay down some more to make sure the first laying down didn't tire me out."

Ashley laughed, looking at the tablet in her hands, running insanely long with all the names she needed to check.

"I'm considering, you know," she said as they headed for a group of women who'd been found in the depths of the Hall.

"Considering what?" Joslyn asked.

"Becoming a healer," Ashley replied, smiling. "My skills are not exactly applicable here, so I thought I should learn something new. And Zar said I did a good job with his wounds. I've had some basic training back in the day, but it definitely needs refreshing."

"Hmm," Joslyn said. "I approve entirely, of course. Do you think you could convince Zar to raid a library on Terra? He could bring you a bunch of medical books."

Ashley snorted, thinking of the absurdity of that, before becoming serious again. The women before them looked as scared as Gwen had been.

"Hi," she told them. "I don't know if you know who I am, but it's okay either way. I'm Ashley, this is Joslyn. We are here to help you and make sure everything gets better from here on out. We'll be back to talk to you later, but for now, your names?"

One by one, the women sounded off, still looking confused and terrified.

"It's okay," Ashley said, wishing she had something more comforting to say, but it was too soon to be making pledges she might not be able to fulfill. "The good guys won, I promise. You have no need to be scared. Do you see that blonde woman there? Her name is Gwen. She went through the same thing as you did, she'll explain a few things and help you along."

Ashley and Joslyn watched as the women went off to Gwen, who had gotten back some of her fierce work ethic and belief. After being saved by Roagh's men, Gwen had been considerably more receptive to Ashley's assurances that things were looking up for them.

Seeing Zar coming their way, Joslyn waved goodbye to Ashley and left them alone.

Ashley went to meet him, her heart beating fast. She still hadn't fully recovered from the events of the throne room. The Reaper had been so close to Zar, running toward him with the sword bared in his hands... If she hadn't managed to grab the plasma cannon off the ground – Ashley didn't want to think about it.

Instead, she ran straight into Zar's arms, letting the harbinger kiss her deeply, feeling the grin on his lips as he held her tightly against him.

"How did it go?" she asked. "With the other harbingers? Are you the Lord of the Black Hall now?"

"I don't need their approval for that," Zar said, clearly amused by her. "But yes, it's better that they admit that. We have no need for further infighting."

"So it's all okay?"

"Yes," Zar laughed. "Don't get me wrong, they're still harbingers. A bunch of self-centered assholes, if you ask me. Rhyslan in particular had that smile on his face that said he might challenge me for it if he ever feels like it."

"Do you think he might?" Ashley asked, worried.

Zar kissed her as an answer.

"He might," he admitted when they had to part for air. "He's a cold bastard, that one. Have no fear, my love. If he comes for me, we'll know it, because he is not the type to stab someone in the back."

"Will you win if he does?"

"Of course."

Ashley sighed. There was nothing to be done with Nayanors, but judging by the smirk on Zar's lips, he was at least partly saying it all to mess with her.

"I was thinking of becoming a healer," she said as they were walking back to their quarters, ready to make Zar's promise real.

"I think that's a good idea," the harbinger allowed. "You have a gift. Although you should account that your mere presence helped me to heal."

"I don't think it works like that, but thank you for saying it," Ashley laughed.

"I mean it," Zar said seriously. "I have fought battles all my life, but now I finally have someone worth fighting for."

Ashley didn't know what to say to that. Somewhere, the world existed, seemingly so far away from them. With the gates back open and the long night only begun, there was so much work to do. Now that Zar had made peace with the other harbingers, she felt sure that she could walk around without having to fear for her life.

She had no doubt that when it came to her, Zar had had to add a few threats to the deal, but she trusted him.

Everything was ahead of her. Now that Zar had given her and Joslyn fairly free range to help the women in the Hall and everywhere on Luminos the best they could, Ashley couldn't wait to get to it.

Except, of course, for the harbinger himself. Maybe he wasn't joking about the healing thing, because being near him made Ashley feel better as well. Stronger, happier too.

"How are we going to celebrate your victory, then?" she asked.

The look on Zar's face made her knees weak.

"I have a few ideas," the harbinger said.

"Do you promise not to tease me?" Ashley asked, aware of how badly her voice was shaking. "Because I don't think I can wait. You have no idea how hot you look in that armor."

Zar stopped in the middle of the walkway, almost at their quarters. Ashley looked up into his dark eyes, surprised at that. Then the harbinger lifted her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way, not putting her down until reaching their bed.

Ashley shuddered, seeing the passion play in her fated's eyes.

"Of all the things I've won today, nothing compares to you," Zar said, pulling his armor off with a savage grin. "Mine. All mine now."

"Yours," Ashley agreed.

Later, Zar made her scream his name, proving to her once more that he kept his promises.