Epilogue

Three months later.

The moment my boots hit the ground in Astarobane, a wave of emotion crashes over me. I'm home. Finally home.

After everything that's happened—all the secrets, lies, and heartache—I'm back where I belong.

I make my way through the familiar streets, each step bringing me closer to my family. Closer to the people I love.

My heart pounds in my chest as I approach our cottage. It looks exactly the same as when I left, as if no time has passed at all.

But everything has changed.

I have changed.

I push open the door and find my family in the main room: Mother, Grandmother, and Kassandra. They stare at me for a moment, as if they can't believe I'm really here. Then, as one, they rush toward me, enveloping me in a fierce embrace.

Tears stream down my face as I cling to them, breathing in the familiar scent of home, of love, of acceptance.

Mother strokes my hair. Grandmother holds me tight. And Kassandra—my beloved sister—sobs into my shoulder.

"I missed all of you so much," I choke out, my voice thick with emotion. "I thought about you every day."

We stay like that for a long time, holding each other, crying, laughing, and talking over each other in our excitement. Finally, we pull apart, wiping our tears and grinning.

"I have something for you," I say, reaching into my pocket and yanking out the leather bag Cenric gave me. I press it into Mother's hands, watching her eyes widen as she feels the weight of the coins inside.

"Where did you get this?" she asks.

I hesitate, my mind flashing to Cenric—my secret husband, the man I love more than life itself. I long to tell my family about him, to share my joy and my love. But I can't.

Not yet. Maybe not ever.

"I earned it," I say instead. "Working in Karra."

It's not a lie, not really. Yet, it feels like one, like I'm betraying my family by keeping this secret from them.

Mother embraces me again, whispering her thanks. I embrace her back, closing my eyes and savoring the moment.

For now, this is enough. Being here, with the people I love.

Everything else can wait.

Cenric's plans for our tribe. My plans to keep protecting my family. To remain their Keeper, the one who looks out for them, the one who keeps us safely on the right side of the red line—the one who doesn't get us killed just because we're outsiders.

Tomorrow, there will be time for changing things. Today, I want to bask in the joy of being with my family again.