23

That day had really been the turning point for my grief. Did I still get sad?

Of course. My dad died.

But he was where he should be with my mom, and I knew I was going to be okay—better than okay and not alone. I was surrounded by love and it meant everything.

I still cried now and again, randomly when we were doing things that reminded me of my dad or Hudson stuffed a burrito in his mouth like my dad did. But that was normal. That would happen for a long time even.

I wasn’t consumed with my grief. I enjoyed the break and took so many naps that there were a couple of days that I really just woke to eat. I felt like a lazy old doggo just eating and going back to curl up by someone. The guys just laughed and each took a turn snuggling me. It was great.

I really did enjoy the time and the calm.

Unfortunately, that couldn’t be always.

Fortunately, I liked being the boss, so while I promised myself that I was going to have a better balance with my life, it was time to start my government and handle everything I’d promised. I was nervous but more excited. I glanced up and smiled while I waited to be announced, knowing my parents were watching and I’d make them proud.

“You got this, agra ,” Darby whispered as he glanced at his watch yet again. He was probably more nervous than I was—any of us.

“I do,” I told him again, smiling when he sighed. Yeah, he was being a worrywart and I loved it. I loved him.

I loved all of my stupid guys. They were there with me waiting for the official rollout of my government now that it was the gathering to get things really going.

There were official terms for it all, but no one was surprised that I forgot them or didn’t care. I was ready to get this show on the road.

“Presenting Her Majesty, Tamsin Vale, Queen of Faerie,” Onas announced in a loud voice.

The doors to the throne room were opened for me and I walked in with purpose. I took note of the cameras, glad we’d decided to do this live for all Faerie to see. I was putting proposed laws into effect, and I wanted to be transparent about that. I wanted everyone to see if they wanted.

I wanted my reign to start off right.

I reached the throne and turned to face the gathered group, relieved to see so many allies and faces happy to get started just as I was. I took it all in as I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly, not nervous but wanting to say what was in my heart as best as I possibly could.

“Today is the first real day of my reign. Today is a milestone for Faerie as I enact all the laws that I have said I would and will put us back on the right path. We have come so far—further than many could ever have imagined to unite the realms, but it’s a reality now that I am queen. There is still much to do, and we will accomplish it. I promise you that we will.

“As queen, I am dedicated to making sure our lives are better than the generation before—to peace. I want the next generation to only know peace and never the hardships we have suffered.” I glanced around the room and took in another deep breath. “I am the shield of Faerie to provide that peace and give everyone the strength to keep pushing forward.

“Forward to have days and years full of as much happiness and joy as the gods allow us in our lives. I am the catalyst that will continue to move us in the right path for generations to come so that we live our lives according to the ideals we say we believe in, not simply to tell others that we do. That is my pledge to you as your queen.”

I was glad when people clapped and cheered. It healed my soul that they did, and I saw the hope in their eyes and the certainty that I would do as I said.

I would. We’d come full circle, and I wouldn’t fail them—any of them, especially the ones I loved.

I didn’t know if my magic was really strong enough to give everyone the best possible happy ending that they could have.

But my stubbornness certainly was, and that was why I knew it would all work out in the end.

The End

PLEASE READ THIS!!!

THANK YOU for reading this book!!

If you actually stuck around for the whole TWENTY-SIX book journey of Artemis, you are amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever made it that far as a reader reading a series... But it's hard with my job and my own worlds. Still, I appreciate all of you more than you will ever know. with me to a new series. I know the ending will disappoint some of you, I hated it too because it ended. All I wanted was a gentle, peaceful ending for us since it was time to let go of Artemis.

PLEASE REVIEW. We need them as authors to keep being able to do what we do. They are vital to the algorithms and our livelihood. So if you want more of a series, any series—mine or other authors—please, please always review it. Especially for a series this long and the last book—people forget by then and it’s when authors need the most love!

Coming next is MU #3 and then maybe a House of Garner. Not sure, I’m about halfway through but Inez is being a bitch to me. It happens. I’m also working on another new trilogy… Yeah, it’s going to be the eleventh first book of trilogies that I never write the second and third book for. I’m special like that. But I’ll try REALLY HARD to get this one done.

I swear it.

2024 was hard for a lot of us. I hope, wish, and pray that 2025 is better. Not awesome. Not the best year ever. I just… Better. Low bar, but seriously, give us all a damn break. My tagline for 2025 is “less stress; more steps.”

But my New Year’s resolution is also to try all the frozen dumplings in HMart, a big Asian grocery store we have in New England.

Never forget the fun. I hope you all have some fun too!

Erin & Vader