I stood in front of the full-length mirror, taking in my reflection. I wore a long satin white gown, paired with a lace veil. Though I had been looking forward to this day for weeks, my heart still fluttered with nervousness.

“You look amazing,” Sera murmured, stepping forward. “God, Liana. I can’t believe this. Any of it.”

I met her gaze in our reflected images in the mirror and smiled.

It was a few weeks after my confrontation with Edelnar at the Council headquarters. Rinela had been arrested, along with several other corrupt members of the Council. The remaining members of the Council had worked with Bastien, Elijah, Carina, and my mates to start anew, and had even drafted a brand new alliance of peace between vampires and fae. Because I had destroyed Edelnar, my mates had pulled some strings and persuaded the new Council to allow me to return to my world to wrap up loose ends. I had gotten rid of my apartment and told the boss at my museum I wouldn’t be working there, giving her a vague excuse about finding a different job that was better suited to me. What I didn’t tell her was that my new job was turning the library of the estate I shared with my vampire mates into a museum where I would work as a curator, preserving the history of Velar for the locals.

I saved my visit to Sera last—she was who I had really come back to see. She was my best friend and the closest thing to family that I had.

I told her everything that happened since discovering my mates were vampires from another world, not leaving anything. I don’t think she would have believed me if I hadn’t been allowed to take her back to Velar. Only then did it seem to sink in that all I had told her was true.

I was glad I was able to bring her here, even if it was only for a brief visit, because she could witness my official bonding ceremony with my mates. We didn’t have the time to have a proper ceremony when we were on the run from Edelnar, and I wanted to celebrate my union with my mates. They had told me that bonding ceremonies were very similar to weddings in my world.

Now, Berenzi entered the room with a bouquet. She handed them to me, taking in my reflection.

“These are from your mates,” she said. “They know brides usually carry bouquets back in your world.”

“Thank you,” I said. Now my outfit felt complete. I felt a sudden pang, wishing Alice or my parents were here to see this.

“They’re all here in spirit,” Sera said, reading my momentary sadness in my eyes. I smiled and nodded, her words giving me some comfort.

“Are you ready?” Berenzi asked.

“Yes,” I said. I was more than ready to start my life with my mates.

Sera gave my hand one last squeeze before leaving with Berenzi. I took one last look at myself in the mirror before turning to head out.

We were back at Gabriel’s estate; we had officially made it our home. The guests were all in the back gardens where our ceremony would take place.

I made my way down the stairs and out the back doors. Fifty guests turned to face me as I stepped out. The guests included Council members, our servants, my mates’ families, and Carina and her four mates. I had been nervous to meet the families of my mates, wondering if I would live up to their expectations, but they had all expressed kindness.

But my entire focus wasn’t on our guests—it was on the four vampires who stood in the center of the gardens, their eyes filled with love as I made my way towards them.

My gaze remained locked on each of theirs as we vowed to honor our bond and love each other for eternity. After we spoke our vows, I gave each of my mates a lingering kiss, the guests cheered, and the official celebrations began.

The reception was in the ballroom—Noel had hired musicians, and they played as I danced with each of my mates. Joy danced in my heart as I saw how happy my mates looked; it was the happiest I’d seen them since first coming across them in New Orleans.

We snuck out of the festivities early, making our way to our new shared master bedroom. We made love slowly, my eyes locked on each of them as we kissed and rocked together until we were spent, collapsing onto the bed in a mass of entwined limbs. As I took in Gabriel, Adrian, Xavier, and Noel, warmth coursed through my body. Years of uncertainty, loneliness, and feeling like I didn’t belong had faded away. With my mates, there was only certainty, hope and love. I had found my home.

* * *