The blow to his face was stunning and defeating, the boxer falling to the ring in an unceremonious and unmoving pile. Nora gritted her teeth, turning her head slightly as a spray of blood seemed to spill, slow motion from the opponent’s gaping mouth. His mouthguard turned pink with the punch, and the crowd roared in approval.

That’ll do it, she thought grimly, resisting the urge to bolt from her chair and escape what she was witnessing. After the violence she had seen, it was still difficult to watch Ansel fights, even though they were consensual and sponsored.

“TKO for Ansel Williams!” the master of ceremonies intoned through the speakers and Nora exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath for a long while. All around her, the din was deafening and causing her head to pound.

Slowly, her husband lifted his head and locked his eyes on hers, a lazy grin appearing on his face.

It’s over, he told her silently. I’m officially retired.

Nora was certain she had never felt a greater feeling of relief, even after escaping Jerome. Now, they could return to their life in Chelsea, living like normal people in the upscale English neighborhood without the constant feeling of sick which embraced her when she was forced to watch the gruesome displays of medieval torture the men inflicted upon one another in the ring.

Are you sure you have dragon blood?

The question was wry, and for a moment, Nora thought Ansel had asked, but it was her own thought.

She was the gentlest dragon that ever was.

“Come on, Nora,” Louis urged from her side. “Let’s get back to his dressing room before we get mobbed in.”

Nora nodded at the old trainer and allowed herself to be whisked toward the back of the arena as the onlookers rose to swarm the ring in congratulatory fashion.

“How do you feel?” Louis asked when they made their way into the confines of the staging area, away from the noise.

“Relieved,” Nora confessed. “I know that’s probably selfish but…”

“It’s not easy being the wife of a boxer,” Louis replied, smiling warmly at her. “The constant fear that your husband will come home permanently damaged.”

Nora couldn’t tell him that was the least of her concerns. Nothing could hurt her husband. Ansel had proven that firsthand. She simply did not have the stomach for the blood, not anymore.

“You must be happy to be rid of him, too,” Nora joked, collapsing onto the loveseat and staring at the man.

“I will never be rid of him,” he answered sincerely and Nora knew that was true. Louis had been a permanent fixture in Ansel’s life, a father figure to him when King Rui had cut him off from Misty Woods.

The door opened and the noise from outside spilled into the back room as Ansel slipped inside, his eyes shining with warmth and happiness.

“All done!” he cheered and Nora jumped up to embrace him, kissing his mouth warmly as he wrapped his well-toned arms around her waist.

Nora melted against his sweating, excited body, feeling the race of his heart through his chest.

The kiss went on so long, Louis had to clear his throat in embarrassment, and the couple reluctantly pulled apart, staring at one another with adoration.

“I have a surprise for you,” Ansel announced, reluctantly pulling back to wipe his still-damp brow with the towel slung around his neck.

“You do?”

Ansel glanced at Louis who grinned.

“I’ll be right back,” Louis stated, apparently noting his cue. He disappeared into a sea of waiting reporters outside the dressing room door who were just waiting to speak two words with the new world champion.

“Ansel, we’re going to be late,” Nora chided him softly. “And you know how your father hates being left waiting.”

“He’ll have the others distracting him,” he chuckled. “Anyway, we’ll fly over there soon. I want to show you something first.”

“Ansel, we have worked very hard to win your father over after everything. This is an important night for everyone.”

“Is it? All I know is that we’ve been summoned to Misty Woods,” Ansel remarked dryly. “I promise, we won’t be late. We’ll tell him that we were working on starting our family if he gives us any problems.”

Nora’s mouth gaped open.

“What?” she choked. “What do you mean?”

As if on cue, Louis returned, struggling with a cardboard box as security handled the door for him.

Nora eyed the box warily.

“What is this?” she demanded as Louis carefully put the package on the floor.

“Sibling envy,” he replied, a boyish smile on his face as she eyed the box nervously. “I want us to give dear old Dad something to swoon over as much as he does Audren.”

“Ansel…we haven’t talked about children,” she gasped, looking embarrassedly at Louis. To her surprise, the trainer laughed.

“I don’t think that human children are what he had in mind,” the trainer snickered and suddenly, there was a yelp from inside the box.

We never had to worry about human children, Nora thought, reaching to undo the flap of the box. We can’t have mortal babies together.

A Saint Bernard puppy leaped from the inner folds and Nora screeched with delight as the dog lunged for her.

“You got a dog?” she laughed as her face was filled with kisses.

“Why should we be the only ones without some canine love in our lives?” Ansel demanded, and Nora giggled. “I’ll be home more now, and it’ll be good to have someone to go on runs with me while you’re in your workshop.”

“I agree,” she replied, smiling up at her husband. “But tonight, of all nights, Ansel? We have to…”

She trailed off and glanced at the trainer.

“It’s all right,” Ansel replied. “Louis is going to babysit tonight while we deal with our family affair. He’s used to cleaning up my crap, right Louis?”

Louis nodded, his eyes shining with affection as he stared at the ridiculously happy animal.

“This guy and I will bond in no time. I might not give him back after tonight.”

“Oh, now I don’t want to go,” Nora complained wistfully. “Can’t we stay home and play with him?”

Ansel laughed.

“We could,” he agreed. “But then we won’t be able to show up Cass and Brooklyn. Our kid is so much cuter than theirs. Hold still. I want to take a picture.”

“Cheese!” Louis and Nora called, hugging the mutt.

As they released the slobbering beast, Nora found herself staring at her husband, a strange pang in her heart.

He’s retired now. He’s committed to a dog. Maybe It is time to think about having children.

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Williams! I have no idea why he won’t stop crying!” Kirra announced, her face contorted in confusion. “He just started and wouldn’t stop!”

Brooklyn shook her head and reached for her screaming toddler, rocking him as his face turned purple with rage.

“He’s two,” Brooklyn replied flatly as Cassius snorted, adjusting his tie in the full-length mirror. “He’s probably upset you didn’t separate his grapes according to size.”

“I no like grapes!” Audren howled, tears streaming down his indignant face. “I no like nothing!”

“I don’t like anything,” Cassius corrected calmly, turning away to take the child from his wife. “And you’re being rude, Audren. Apologize to Kirra and your mother for shattering their eardrums.”

“NO!” the child raged and his mother pressed her fingertips to her temples.

“Cassius, it’s too late to bring him to Misty Woods,” Brooklyn said nervously. “He’s going to be like this all night.”

“If you’re suggesting we leave him here, I hope you have made proper funeral arrangements,” Cassius replied as Kirra discretely left the couple to discuss the impending night. “Father would not have invited us if he didn’t want Audren there. You have to know that.”

“Then your father can deal with his incessant screaming!” Brooklyn grunted, raising her voice to be heard over the boy’s caterwauling.

“He’ll pass out by the time we get there,” Cass assured her. “Get ready.”

“What is this all about tonight?” she asked again, and he shrugged.

“I have no idea,” he replied. “But it must be important for him to invite all of us.”

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Brooklyn mumbled, more to herself than her husband but Cassius chuckled.

“I think he’s mellowed a little bit now that he has a grandson. Who knows? Maybe someone else is with child and he’s having a celebration.”

“Like who?” Brooklyn demanded, spinning away from the window where she was staring into the Coral Sea.

Pendulum Island, their private key, had become a sanctuary to her and leaving always felt like a chore. Leaving to return to Misty Woods was almost painful, but when King Rui summoned, there was little the brothers could do to refuse.

“Maybe Estrella,” Cassius joke and Brooklyn gaped at him.

“Please tell me you’re kidding!” she cried, trying to envision King Rui as a father to an infant. He’d already had six sons, all whom he had ruined in various ways.

“Of course I’m kidding. My stepmother may play meek, but there’s no way she would allow for that to happen. She’s smarter than we give her credit for.

Audren seemed to be calming in his father’s arms, his red eyes drooping as they spoke.

Who can blame him? The sound of Cass’ voice always has a hypnotic effect on me too. Brooklyn watched her husband with their small son, a familiar warmth flooding her veins.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, a half-smile toying on his lips. “Should I call Kirra to come and get him.”

Brooklyn bit her lower lip and nodded, her eyes glittering.

“We have time, don’t we?” she murmured.

“For that? Of course we do. No doubt that Marcus and Addison will be the last to arrive anyway.”

They stood at the drawbridge, Marcus shaking his head in disbelief.

“Would you look at this place?” he gasped. “I don’t even recognize it!”

“I have nothing to compare it to,” Addy reminded him, glancing around, overwhelmed by the opulence of the castle. “I mean, except for all the other castles I’ve been to.”

Marcus grinned at her and reached for her hand, noticing the sweatiness of her palms. Their private jet had made incredible time, and now they were early for whatever insanity lay beyond the freshly laid stone.

“There’s no need to be nervous,” he assured her, but even as he said the words, he was not so sure why King Rui had asked them to Misty Woods that night. He had told them nothing but Marcus could not release the idea that their lives were going to change dramatically after that evening.

The question is, is it going to change for the better or worse? Marcus thought worriedly, but he did not allow himself to think of it anymore.

Any danger they faced was in the past. He knew that all his brothers were going to be in attendance, even though he did not see any of them as they stood, staring at the revamped castle before them.

Marcus had no idea when the renovations had happened but the crumbling structure he had last seen was merely a memory now, the stone refaced and enforced to create a glorious, imposing white front.

The drawbridge was no longer functional, laying flat and inviting in stained mahogany over the dry moat, welcoming with a row of potted plants leading toward a spring of fresh ivy vying to climb the walls beyond.

He could not see past the majestic entranceway, Addison’s reluctance matching his own as they debated their next move but Marcus could sense that more luxury waited for them inside.

What else should they expect once they crossed that bridge? It seemed unfathomable that his father would set a trap for his sons, but who could ever really be sure what the old man was thinking? Stability was not his strong suit.

“Are we going inside?” Addy asked, and Marcus realized they had been standing in silence for a long moment.

“I’m not sure,” he admitted, reaching for his phone. “Let me see if Max is there.”

If he was going in, he wanted to ensure they were not alone and there was no one better to see them through whatever lay ahead than Max.

“I’m not going!”

“You have to go!” Max grumbled, pacing over the dock as Poet shook her head defiantly.

“It’s a trap! He’s going to try and kill me!” she insisted. “I am not going back to England with you!”

“Poet, it’s been two years! He’s over whatever homicidal tendencies he was suffering. I think he’s got something really important to tell us,” Max insisted. “Please, I know it sounds incredible but…”

He trailed off and she narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

“What?”

“Ever since I started going back there, he seems changed. I don’t know if it’s Estrella that’s been good for him or if he’s just getting accustomed to the fact that he can’t control everything in the world, but…”

“Forgive me if I don’t share your enthusiasm for the man who wanted my head on a platter.”

“I am asking you to trust me, Poet, not my father. No one will let anyone hurt you; I promise. Not me, not my brothers and not their significant others.”

Poet eyed him warily. “They’re all going to be there?” she asked suspiciously. “You’re not just saying that to make me come?”

“You can call anyone right now and ask them yourself.”

Poet grunted and looked out into the morning sun glinting off the water.

The Island of Luxe seemed like the only safe spot, near her royal father and Max, surrounded by security.

But she didn’t want to hide from Rui forever.

“I believe you,” she mumbled. “But if there’s any sign of trouble—”

Max’s phone chimed and he offered her a wide smile.

“Here,” he said, offering her the cell. “It’s Arabella looking for you.”

She glanced at the device and sighed heavily as she scanned the text message.

“All right,” she agreed reluctantly, reaching to respond to her sister-in-law’s text. “I’ll go. But only if everyone else is going to be there.”

Arabella dropped the cell on the table and peered at Titus, gnawing on her lower lip.

“She’s as worried about tonight as I am,” Ara offered. “Your father has done a great job instilling the fear of God in everyone.”

Janus barked as if to concede with her assessment and she reached down to absently pat the dog on his velvet head.

“You probably have the least to worry about out of anyone,” he replied, laughing. “Poet has good reason to be afraid.”

“I have just as much a reason to fear your father,” Ara replied. “And I’m not a princess!”

“You’re my princess,” he told her tenderly, reaching to pull her into his arm, brushing aside a piece of hair from her face. “Have I told you that lately?”

Ara smiled weakly, shifting her eyes downward and Titus stared at her with concern.

“What’s on your mind? Are you that worried about going to Misty Woods tonight? If it’s that big a deal, we’ll stay in South Africa, Ara but you don’t have anything to worry about, I promise.”

She couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, to tell him that it was not the trip to England which was weighing on her mind so heavily.

For two years, they had been searching for the elusive way to transform her into the immortal she was supposed to have been, all those centuries ago but there seemed to be no answers. Slowly, she had come to terms with the fact that it might never happen and with that knowledge, a new doubt had emerged.

Ara was beginning to wonder if that was why Titus had not proposed to her.

He claimed that he loved her and not Isabella, but she could not help but wonder if there was still some part of him which clung to the desire he had felt for her.

“Ara, talk to me,” he insisted. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly, pulling away. “It’s nothing.”

“Where are you going?”

“I should get ready. They’ll be expecting us,” she told him, turning her head so he would not read the expression on her face.

“Before you do,” he replied, refusing to release her arm. “I want to ask you something.”

Ara forced a smile on her face and looked at him.

“Yes?”

To her shock, he dropped down on one knee, pulling a ring box out of his breast pocket and smiled up at her with gleaming eyes.

“Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” he asked, his face filled with plaintive yearning. “I have wanted to ask you for quite some time, but I always wanted to ensure that you were comfortable and safe, and that you didn’t feel the need to say yes out of some misguided loyalty for me.”

Arabella gaped at him, tears welling in her eyes.

“What?” she choked. “How could you ever think that?”

He shrugged, a pink tinge touching his cheeks as he clasped her hand.

“I have been a lone soul for so long, Ara, it is difficult for me to be sure of how to read other people but you…you, I feel like I have known forever. I have no doubt about you, but I needed to be sure you felt the same.”

Ara swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded eagerly.

“Of course I do!” she squealed as he slipped the massive diamond onto her slender finger. “How could you ever consider that I didn’t?”

She exhaled, allowing the tears of happiness to slip down her cheeks and Titus rose to swing her into a huge hug.

“I love you, Arabella.”

“I love you,” she murmured, burying her face in his neck.

“We’ll keep a lid on our engagement announcement until after Anders and Sawyer’s wedding next month,” Titus said. “We don’t want to show up their announcement…even though we’ll be happier than them.”

He grinned at her slyly to show he was only he was half kidding, but something occurred to Ara, and she began to laugh. Titus stared down at her in surprise.

“What’s so funny?” he asked curiously.

“No matter what happens at this function tonight, at least I won’t be Sawyer,” she chuckled, and Titus snorted as he realized what she was thinking.

“Yeah,” the tech genius conceded. “I wouldn’t want to be Anders bringing a dragon slayer to the party.”

“Where is the dragon slayer?”

Anders cringed at the assessment and offered King Rui a tight smile.

“Sawyer will be along in about an hour,” he replied. “She had a rather important stop to make before coming.”

“Killing dragons, no doubt.”

“Father, she saved us, in case you’ve forgotten. Besides, that was two years ago. When are you going to let it go? If not for Sawyer, we would not have even known how we could be killed.”

“I do not have to let it go,” King Rui grumbled. “Forgive me if I worry about mortals who carry around garrottes in their back pockets.”

“Soon, you won’t have to worry about that,” Anders murmured, enigmatically, turning to fix himself a drink at the bar. Before his father could ask him what he meant, Anders changed the subject.

“The castle looks great, Father. I’m shocked with all the upgrades.”

“Estrella insisted,” he growled, glancing around for his wife. “I feel like everyone is running my life these days. You are inviting people to my home for some ludicrous announcement, and my wife is wasting money on frivolous things.”

“Father, electricity and central heating are hardly frivolous,” Maximum declared, strolling into the ballroom, his hand clamped around Poet’s. Behind him, Marcus and Addison entered, both appearing uncomfortable but hiding it well.

“And where is Estrella?” Marcus asked smoothly.

“Hello to you too, Marcus,” King Rui snapped.

Marcus was saved from having to respond as Cassius arrived, carrying his sleeping child in his arms.

“Where is my grandchild?” Rui boomed, stalking toward them but Cassius backed up protectively.

“No, Father, he’s sleeping. We had the worst time getting him to sl—”

Rui heard none of it, snatching the slumbering boy from his arms and instantly, Audren woke, his face contorted in confusion at the unfamiliar surroundings.

On cue, he threw his head back and wailed.

“Oh great,” Brooklyn muttered from behind Cassius. “Is there alcohol around here somewhere?”

Max chuckled and nodded toward the bar where she instantly moved.

Rui temporarily distracted by the arrival of his grandson, the brothers and their women congregated into a small circle.

“Where are Ansel and Titus?” Marcus asked.

“Isabella is here!” King Rui announced, and everyone cringed in unison.

“Arabella,” came the collective correction, but the old dragon turned his focus back to Audren as Arabella walked into the huge hall, her eyes widening with each step she took.

“Holy shit!” she mumbled. “Look at this place!”

There was a nervous chuckle, and the group opened to allow her in, Titus appearing a second later.

“Ansel just arrived. He’s officially world champion and retired.”

Another round of murmurs flooded the room, but it was abruptly followed by an awkward pause.

Finally, Marcus cleared his throat.

“What the hell are we doing here?” he demanded. “I mean, as much as we’re happy to be here. Why are we here?”

The question was directed at the king, but Rui had flittered out of earshot, chasing after the toddler who had ceased screaming long enough to indulge in a game of tag.

“I called you here,” Anders explained, and he was met with several pairs of surprised eyes.

“Why?”

He wasn’t entirely sure who had asked the question, but the answer was the same.

“Why don’t we wait until Sawyer gets here,” he suggested. “She will have all the answers you need.”

“This is all very cloak and dagger,” Ansel muttered, appearing annoyed. “You’re acting like Father.”

“I heard that, Ansel. I am no happier about this intrusion than you are,” the king replied, nearing the group. “But, I have allotted for entertainment while we wait and Estrella sees to supper.”

“Entertainment?” Ansel snorted. “Such as—”

His voice caught as a man was led toward the center of the room in chains by a silent giant who seemed to have stepped out of the middle ages.

“Is that Thurmond?” Anders whispered to Max. “He looks like shit!”

“Yeah,” Max chuckled. “I’m not even sure if he’s a dragon. He just refuses to die.”

But Anders was fixated on the half-dead man dressed like a clown who stood before them, filthy and malnourished. His chains were heavy and the lawyer was shocked he could move at all given his state.

“What is the meaning of this, Father?” Cassius asked, staring at his father in horror, but Ansel seemed to know what was happening.

“Oh my god…” the boxer choked, looking at Nora who swallowed a smug smile of disgust and awe.

“Entertain us!” Rui growled at the emaciated man, donning a jester’s costume. “Dance, sing, and don’t stop until I say so.”

Gaunt eyes looked up and fear overcame his face as he saw Ansel and Nora.

“What the hell is this?” Titus roared, but Ansel held up his hand.

“This is Jerome,” he explained pleasantly. “He kept Nora captive for years.”

“I do not see any entertainment!” The king snapped again. “Dance! Dance, monkey!”

With agony in his face, the brothers watched as all the women turned away. All but Nora, who continued to stare at the man who had stolen years of her life.

“King Rui, this is most cruel.”

Everyone spun to stare at the newcomers.

“Opal!” was the joint cry.

“Ruby,” the witch replied, strolling into the room, her flat-soled shoes squeaking against the marble of the floor. She was accompanied by a younger girl, but the resemblance was uncanny. They were both descendants of the witch who had cast the immortal spell upon them.

“This is just getting too bizarre,” Titus muttered, and Marcus nodded in agreement.

“It will all make sense in a moment,” Anders explained. “When Sawyer arrives—”

“I’m here,” his fiancée cried breathlessly, smiling. “I found her.”

“Who else is coming?” King Rui snapped, his patience about broken as he stared at the witches in his midst. “Why have you asked them here?”

“We need them,” Anders explained. “We need all of them.”

The final guest showed herself, an albino woman with white eyes, wearing a black cloak.

“Who is this?” Max demanded, stepping forward as if to protect Poet from danger. “Anders, what the meaning of this?”

“Let me explain,” Sawyer offered. “Cerys, come in.”

Reluctantly, the woman shuffled forward and everyone realized she was blind.

“Cerys is a witch,” Sawyer began. “She is the one who has been able to convert some mortals into shifters for the Northmen.”

“We should kill her right now!” Rui roared, rushing toward her but Anders stopped him.

“Father, for once in your life, you need to stand down and listen.”

“Cerys, you can speak,” Sawyer told her gently. “Why don’t you tell them everything?”

“The Northmen were never true dragons,” Cerys sighed. “They were too cruel and the little royal blood they had was tainted through ages of rapes and plunders. It is why they were unbalanced and did not adhere to a code as you did.”

“And yet you helped them!” Ansel spat. “What does that say about you!”

“She had no choice,” Ruby interjected, staring at the witch with a newfound respect. “I have heard about you and the abuses you have suffered. I never knew that it was fact, but there have been whispers around the community…”

“It is true,” Cerys sighed. “They blinded me, kept me in chains and brought me hundreds of people to transform. No matter how I tried to explain that they would die if their blood did not contain royal genes. So many people died in their desire to grow their weak army, hellbent on getting revenge on you but there were some who made it through, and they remain free. Sawyer has released me from a long and humiliating life. I owe her a great debt.”

“Why are you here?” Rui snapped. “Anders, if I had known what—”

“Nora and Brooklyn will get to live out eternity with their mates because they are dragons. Now, the rest of us can, too. She is here to transform Addison, Ara, Poet and me,” Sawyer interjected, cutting off the king. “If they want to be changed into immortals as I do.”

The women inhaled sharply, staring first at Sawyer, and then at their partners in shock.

“She just said that…we could die if we’re not suited,” Arabella cried.

“You are suited,” Titus reminded her. “You are a descendant of Isabella.”

“And you are already a princess,” Max told Poet, his heart racing with excitement.

“Not me,” Addison muttered, lowering her head.

“Yes, you,” Sawyer said softly. “That is why I brought Ruby. She has the gift to see if you can be transformed.”

Addison’s head whipped up and she stared at Ruby who nodded reassuringly.

“You have the gene, Addison. You all do. I imagine that is why the princes have been drawn to you. Instinctively, they have always known.”

“But your family has lied to us before,” she whispered. “Opal told the princes the spell would only last for three days and here we are!”

“I am not Opal,” Ruby told her gently. “Times are not what they were. I have no feudal upset with the princes, and I have nothing to gain by your death. You are a candidate for this…if you want it.”

Addison looked at Marcus, who gently reassured her with a warm smile. “Of course I want to do it!”

Cerys nodded slowly.

“Then I will lay the spell on your four now. Please, step forward.”

The women turned to stare at the men in their lives, worry and fear sweeping through them, but ultimately, they knew the decision was theirs alone.

“You won’t regret it,” said Nora. The four turned to Nora who smiled reassuringly at them. “Trust me.”

Her words seemed to inspire the confidence they needed and they clasped hands, approaching Cerys who swept around them in a circle, drawing a chalk circle about them with perfection, despite her impaired vision.

They didn’t question her ability, closing their eyes as they continued to hold hands, each lost in their own thoughts.

We each found our mates, our reasons for living. Now we will be with them forever, Poet thought, happiness welling in her heart.

I get to spend eternity with Marcus, thought Addison.

This is going to kill me, Arabella thought, terrified. I only just found my soulmate and I’m going to die!

I did it! I found the solution. Now our army will be stronger and we can breed more and take over the last of the Northmen. Together as the family we were meant to be, Sawyer thought and she exhaled.

Below them, the earth began to tremble and suddenly, Cerys’ words filled their ears, a low hypnotic chant which sent them into a trance.

The ground was splitting and their eyes flew open, eyes wide as the watched the marble crack, but to their surprise, the men did not seem to notice as if only those within the circle were affected.

“Is this normal?” Addison cried, her fingernails digging into Poet’s hand but no one had an answer. How could they? None of the women had ever experienced anything like this.

A flash of lightning bolted through the room and suddenly all was silent.

One by one, the women looked up and stared around the room.

“My eyes are so clear,” Poet murmured, spinning around.

“I can hear them in the kitchen,” Addison replied, her face twisting in shock. She jumped as she caught sight of Sawyer’s glowing amber eyes.

“Did it work?” Ara asked but as she opened her mouth, a streak of fire escaped and everyone jumped.

“I’d say it worked,” Sawyer commented, laughing as she ran toward Anders.

He opened his arms to embrace her, holding her body to his and inhaling her deeply.

“Thurmond!” King Rui yelled for his manservant. “Bring us champagne! This calls for a celebration!”

Everyone turned to gape at the old man in shock.

“Really, Father?” Marcus demanded. “You’re calling for champagne?”

The king’s smile turned into a full leer as he nodded.

“Of course! You know what this means? We will finally have the legion I have always wanted!”

The agglomerative groan reverberated through the room, rocking the crystal goblets on the tray Thurmond brought forward.

“Father, this is not about you,” Max sighed, slipping his arm around Poet’s waist and kissing her neck softly. “This is about finding our soulmates and finally being together.”

King Rui waved his hand dismissively.

“Of course, of course,” he replied impatiently, raising a glass. “To being together. Forever.”

“Hear hear!” they toasted, but before anyone took a sip of the sweet, expensive liquor, they turned to their counterparts.

Each was thinking about how much they had overcome to get where they were in that moment. Who would have thought two years ago that such a gathering could be feasible? Who could have imagined that they could be as happy as they were in that moment, surrounded by witches and the king dragon?

It just goes to show that you never know what the future holds, someone thought, but everyone else heard the sentiment and nodded, lost in the eyes of their loved ones.

For the time being, it looked like the future held them together.

The End