My parent’s castle had never looked so good. It was sparkling and clean, all the color returned to it after the portal to hell had been closed. The chandeliers glittered, along with twinkle lights that had been strung all over the property. There were flowers and furniture, and the place even felt warmer.

It was a weird location for the party—travel was particularly difficult normally—but an appropriate one. Particularly given all that had happened.

After the battle, we’d all rested and gotten healed up. It’d taken about a week, since some of the injuries had turned out to be pretty bad. We’d then set about party planning and sent out invitations to everyone who’d fought. It was going to be a big crowd, which was one of the reasons I’d chosen this place. But I’d also wanted to claim it as my own and banish all the old ghosts.

My family had played a pivotal role in hatching the plot that had led to so many problems. But now they were all over. And we were waiting for the guests to arrive at a party to celebrate our victory. A special portal had been put in place, allowing people to transport directly into the courtyard if they had an invitation.

It was the perfect solution. As excited as I was for them to arrive, I was enjoying the peace and beauty of my old home now that it had been restored.

“You’ve done a good job.” Draka’s voice made me turn.

She was walking toward me in her human form, blue and glowing. Pride shined on her face. For me? My heart warmed.

“Thank you,” I said. “Though I wish some things had been different. That I’d never opened the portal to Oriamor at all. But I’m glad it’s over.”

“You know that you had no choice in opening the portal. It was fated. Even the Ice Fae had a prophecy about it.”

Her words made me feel a bit better.

On the side of the room, Connor fiddled with the speakers. Music began to fill the room.

“Thank you for all of your help,” I said.

Draka smiled. “My pleasure. I’ll always be there for you, Del.”

“Well, I hope I won’t need too much help, but that you’ll continue to come see me.”

“Of course I will.” She reached out and hugged me.

I gripped her tight. For most of my life, she was the closest thing to a mother I’d had.

She stepped away, then gestured to the wall behind me. “There is someone waiting for you.”

I turned, confusion flaring into disbelief. My parents stood against the wall, looking uncertain and out of place. They were hazy and transparent—ghosts, most definitely—but they were here. I looked back at Draka. “You’re sticking around?”

She nodded. “Go to them. They want to see you.”

I wanted to see them, too, though it felt kind of weird, given everything that had happened.

“I love you, Draka,” I said.

She smiled. “I love you too. Now go.”

I nodded and turned, walking over to my parents. Up close, they looked even more uncertain. They were wearing old-fashioned clothes, and my father had the same beard and piercing eyes that I remembered. My mother looked the same as when I’d seen her before.

“How are you here?” I asked.

“We’ve received special permission to haunt this place occasionally,” my mother said.

I laughed, unable to help myself. “That’s a thing?”

“Yes. When one has unfinished business.”

“What’s your unfinished business?” Hope for something that I didn’t even understand filled my chest.

“Having a relationship with you,” my father said.

Shock pierced me. “What? I—I—”

“Don’t know if you even want that?” my mother asked.

Exactly. Though didn’t I want that? I’d always wanted it—a good relationship with parents who loved me.

“But you guys gave me to the Monster,” I said. “He locked me in a dungeon. And you wanted to use me in a plot to destroy the world. I mean, that’s even worse than stuff on daytime TV.”

Sadness shined in my parents’ eyes. My head spun. This was surreal and strange, and I had no idea how to process it.

“We were wrong,” my father said. “We realize that now. The portal—”

“I know. Twisted your minds with dark magic. But it didn’t twist my mind. Why were you susceptible.”

“You are rare, Del.” My mother’s gaze was full of pride, just like Draka’s had been. “Strong and brave and fated to save the world. You could never be susceptible to something like that.”

I liked her words, but they still left me confused.

“We understand that we’re not going to be a normal, happy family,” my father said. A small grin tugged at his mouth. “For one, we’re dead. We can come here occasionally, but we’re still ghosts. But if you’re willing to give us a second chance, we’re here for that. We want that.”

“So badly.” Tears gleamed in my mother’s eyes.

I didn’t know what to say, nor what I truly wanted, but I did believe them. If I wanted a relationship with them, I could have it. That was something I’d figure out later, though, when things had settled down.

“Thank you,” I said. “I’m glad that you’re seeing things differently now.”

“So are we.” My mother reached out and hugged me. Her touch was warm and soft despite her ghostly form. “I love you, Delphine.”

My father hugged us both. “I love you, Delphine.”

“I love you both.” I hugged them back, then stepped away.

“We must go now, but if you come back, we can visit you again,” my mother said.

I nodded. Though I was still confused, I had the distinct feeling that I would work on forgiving them.

They waved, then drifted away, out of the room.

“That looked like it went well.”

Roarke’s voice made me turn. He looked so handsome that I couldn’t look anywhere else.

I smiled. “I think it did.”

“I have some more good news. I spoke to the Order of the Magica. Their mercenaries witnessed some pretty intense power on your part.”

Nerves tightened my skin. They still didn’t know I was a FireSoul, or the true extent of my powers. They wouldn’t like it. “And?”

“And they’ve agreed to not question you.” His gaze hardened. “At my strong suggestion. They don’t know exactly what you are, and they won’t ask. Though they are wary of the extent of your power—especially since they don’t know much about it—you were clearly willing to sacrifice yourself to save everyone. Because of that, they’ve agreed to drop the matter. And they will pardon anyone who was a fugitive before the battle, like Emile.”

A smile spread across my face. Emile had been hiding from the Order since we’d busted him out of their prison a few months ago. Now, he was a free man. And I was off the Order’s radar. Temporarily, at least. Either way, they had to like me at least a little now.

“You’re the best.” I threw myself at Roarke, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning up to kiss him.

Happiness flowed through me as his lips moved expertly on mine. I fell into the kiss, temporarily losing my mind as his lips moved on mine. We’d spent the last week living in both our houses, with Pond Flower stopping in for frequent visits. It’d been amazing. Just like his kiss.

“Chill out, guys.” Nix’s voice broke my concentration.

I pulled away from Roarke.

Nix grinned, her green eyes bright and so familiar. I was so damned grateful she was alive. I didn’t always love my weird powers, but I was thankful for them. Especially now.

“Guests are starting to arrive.” Nix hiked a thumb toward the main entrance. The courtyard is filling up fast. Dr. Garriso is here, along with some crazy lady wearing a rainbow-sequined jumpsuit. And so are the FireSouls, and Aerdeca and Mordaca. Emile brought the dog Prince Louie. I think it’s time for the party to start.”

“It’s definitely time.” Cass approached, a can of her favorite PBR in her hand.

She had believed in me when I’d had to turn back time to save Nix. She’d always believe in me.

I loved both my deirfiúr so much.

“There’s already dancing,” Cass said. “And the Swamp Supes have brought their own band. They’re all covered in slime. Should they be allowed in the house?”

“Sure.” I shrugged. After all the darkness this place had seen, a slimy fiddle player wasn’t a problem. “Let’s get this party started.”

As a group, we walked toward the main doors to let the crowd into the house. Aidan joined us, along with Connor and Claire. As I pulled open the doors to welcome everyone to the party, I couldn’t help but marvel at my good fortune. Joy like I’d never known flowed through me. My life hadn’t been easy, but it’d given me everything.