Although the number of trials had gone down considerably, there were still far too many in my opinion. At least with my brother serving as a judge, we knew those convicted were actually guilty. “There seem to be no problems as of yet. If that changes, I’m sure Rían will let you know.”
That earned another chuckle. “I am certain he will.”
“What about your king? Is he happy?”
“The king is pleased as long as his citizens are safe.”
Such a diplomatic answer.
“Have you spoken to the merrow?” he went on.
Ah, the merrow. After their king had been slain by the Phantom Queen, the sea-dwelling folk were more open to negotiations with my brother and me. One of the king’s daughters took his place, ready to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. While they still patrolled Tearmann’s waters, they allowed ships to bring their cargo and even tourists to our bay—for a price, of course.
“They’ll charge a toll, but they’ll let your ships pass safely through.”
He nodded. “And the Queen?”
“She is pleased to welcome those without ill intent to our shores.”
The door burst open, and Hagan came tearing in like a banshee, a very pregnant Keelynn waddling after him. She caught him by the dirt-smeared collar and offered an apologetic laugh. “Pardon the interruption. This little devil gets faster by the day.”
I thought it best not to mention that she was slower as well. I couldn’t tear my eyes from her form. Even splotchy-faced and winded, she was still the most stunning woman I’d ever seen. The spark of magic in her eyes only made her more so. Hagan let out a loud howl and ducked out of his stepmother’s grasp, taking off for the gardens.
Groaning, Keelynn pressed both her hands to her lower back but did not give chase. Her feet must’ve been aching something fierce. Last night I’d forced her to soak in the tub for an hour to get the swelling down.
I stood from my chair and gave Ruairi and Mitchell an apologetic smile. “Excuse me for a moment.”
I found my son in his usual hiding spot, in the middle of the garden maze, trying to climb into the fountain. Wouldn’t be long before he succeeded. I’d have to ward the thing the same way I had the well and the tower windows.
He squealed when I caught him beneath the arms and heaved his writhing body atop my shoulders. Keelynn appeared next to me, still a little unsteady on her feet when she evanesced.
She gave Hagan a mock frown. “You’re a little heathen. Just like your father.” He did one of those deep-belly laughs I lived for when she started tickling his toes.
I leaned in close and nipped her ear. “I’ll show you a heathen.”
Laughing, Keelynn leaned in closer, her head falling to my chest and her swollen belly nudging mine. My family, whole, healthy, and happy. And soon we’d have another little terror running around the place, filling these castle walls with more laughter.
If anyone would’ve told me a few years ago that I’d be standing here, free of curses, with only hope and love in my heart, I would’ve called them a liar.
But now I knew the truth. Happiness would find you…if you were willing to fight for it.
EPILOGUE
RÍAN
The downsideof living in a forest teaming with life was that you had to keep an eye out for random piles of rabbit and deer shite. At least it was an improvement on bones and dead bodies.
Birds and butterflies danced between leaves of green and stretches of wildflowers more colorful than the brightest rainbow. Faeries had claimed more than a few of the larger trees as their own—with the Queen’s enthusiastic permission, of course.
The black gates had been torn down, replaced with laurel hedges that grew like wildfire in the fertile soil. Climbing ivy slowly claimed the Black Tower, replacing the darkness with life. Flowers burst from window boxes all the way to the very top window.
Except for all the leaves and bits of grass constantly being dragged into the foyer, I liked what Aveen had done with the place.
An indignant yelp echoed from the parlor. “Da!Da! Joshua’s pullin’ my hair again!”
I stepped over the mound of shoes that must have been spelled, because every time I shifted the things into the closet, they magically reappeared right in front of the damn door.
Joshua sat on his hands, eyes lifted to the ceiling. If the dictionary had had an illustration of guilt, it would have been of this little boy’s face.