Epilogue

One Year Later

I SMOOTHED MY HANDS DOWN the knee-length fitted black dress. Nerves danced inside of me even as I took deep, calming breaths.

"Come on, Bria," I whispered to myself. "You've literally fought Fae and ruled an entire Kingdom. You can do this."

I did another walk-through of the temporary gallery set up in an art museum in Milan, Italy. The paintings that hung proudly about the spacious room were my best, and even though I knew this, I was still an anxious wreck as we neared time for the doors to open.

After all, this was my first art exhibition.

"Bria. Non ti preoccupare ."

I turned from double checking the set-up of a painting to meet the easy-going smile of the man who'd been my instructor for the past five months—the man I'd always admired and thought I'd never get to meet.

"You stress over nothing," Luca Romano said. "Your paintings are meraviglioso ."

I took a deep breath and tucked stray strands of blue hair back into place where I'd twisted it into an up-do. "Thank you, sir. I just—I want tonight to be perfect. It's the first time my mom and so many others will see my paintings like this."

He smiled and patted my shoulder. "Get used to it. I have a feeling this is just the beginning for your career."

I hoped he was right.

It had been a year since the war between Water and Land Fae ended, and after months of diligent, hard work on everyone's part, life had seemed to settle somewhat. That was when Rune, my mom, and everyone else had encouraged me to finally finish what I'd started. I'd re-enrolled in school, and by some miracle, I was able to take that study abroad opportunity a year later than originally planned. Rune, Dallas, and the others still had all their special Fae connections to people in high places, so our group had been living here in Milan for the entirety of the spring semester. I'd spent every moment relishing the bliss and simplicity of all I'd missed.

Painting.

Date nights with Rune.

Movie nights with the girls who'd followed us here—Dallas, Avana, Imani, and Khalani.

Studying and homework.

We still traveled back and forth between the human realm and Ambrolia as needed, but the majority of our time had been spent here these past few months. And the time had paid off, because my painting skills had flourished under Luca Romano's guidance. He'd been so impressed by me that he'd put together this exhibition to show off me and my work to the community.

"Would you like a moment alone with your husband before the show starts?" Luca asked.

"That sounds nice," I answered with an eager nod.

He patted my arm and went to grab Rune from where he and the rest of my family and friends were waiting in the hall. When the door opened next, Rune strode in. My heart lodged in my throat, and I had to chant to myself that I didn't have time to strip him down and do everything I wanted to do to him. The fitted black suit hugged his large frame, and his white hair was pulled back in a bun, a few strands free and framing his face. His golden eyes roamed the massive room, tracing over my paintings.

"I'll never, ever get tired of seeing the world through your brush strokes," Rune murmured in awe.

Luca and I had picked a variety of pieces to display—abstracts, landscapes, portraits, realisms—and the one Rune met me at, the largest of them all, was one only a few would understand.

Black feathered wings peaked from one half of the canvas, backlit with golds, whites, and yellows, creating a mystical, angelic effect. I'd titled it, "Hero."

Rune swallowed hard as he stared at the piece. "It's beautiful."

"I'd say. You captured one of my best features, Bria-chan."

Smiling, I turned to the watery figure I'd silently just conjured. "You think so?"

Akira's watery form nodded and came to stand in between Rune and me. "It means a lot that you wanted to paint something with me in mind."

"Of course. You're the reason we're all here, Akira," I replied softly.

His sacrifice, the emotion it had sparked inside me, was the only reason I'd been able to tap into my full potential as a Water Fae. Without him, I'd have lost against Elias, and the rest of the Fae following me would have shortly joined me. We were all alive because of him.

"You're our hero," I insisted.

Akira beamed at me before turning his watery gaze on Rune. I'd brought Akira back like this a dozen times by now, each time getting easier, but it never failed to make Rune speechless. He was still getting used to seeing his best friend like this, but he was also grateful to have him here at all.

"Stop it, you big Fox," Akira rebuked, whacking Rune's chest with a liquidy palm. "You know what I'm going to say."

Rune opened his mouth, but Akira beat him to it, like he always did.

"I regret nothing," Akira stated firmly. "I'd make the same decision over and over again, even knowing how it ends."

Rune cleared his throat. "I miss you."

The Raven smiled. "I'm still here, buddy. Right here." Akira patted Rune's chest. "Always." Pulling away, Akira twirled in a circle, the lights catching and reflecting off his watery form. "Enough melancholy. It's time to celebrate! You finally did it, Bria! You're here !"

I laughed and took in the room one last time. It had been a long journey to get here. One full of laughter, heartache, pain, adventure, grief, and love. But I'd made it here, nonetheless.

"Yes, I am," I hummed, sharing a proud smile with Rune.

"So, then, let's get this going," Akira cheered. "Open the doors, and let the world in. Show them who you are."

Who I am.

What a girl that was.

Bria Marina Damaris.

Painter.

Wife to Fox Fae Rune Amadeus Damaris.

Queen of Water and Land Fae.