Epilogue

I sit on the porch and sip my lemonade, the cool tartness tingling my tongue as I watch Tris chase the kids around the garden.

Our little Rosaline’s riotous red curls flow behind her as she darts between the lavender bushes, her infectious giggle ringing through the air. Beside her, Esme’s son, Esric’s tangerine hair shines bright in the sunlight as he tries to keep up with her energetic stride.

Delilah sits next to me on the porch swing Haut had installed, the silver at her temples more pronounced than when we first brought her home.

She turns to me, blue-green eyes searching. “Are you sure you don’t want to take the first ring test, Rowe? If you did, you would surpass me and take your place in a Trinity with Aspen and Mel.”

I hum in contentment, filling my lungs with the heady scent of the garden mingling with the salty ocean breeze. “I’m not interested. It’s time for you to accept your fate as a future leader.”

“But you’re so powerful,” Delilah persists. “The council could use your strength.”

Aspen had tested into the first ring last year, and Mel passed her test a few months ago. Just as Gael predicted, she leveled up in all her elements, becoming the strongest witch on the continent.

While pride fills me for my mentors and friends, they’re choosing a path I have no interest in.

Reaching out, I take Delilah’s hand. “Strength isn’t all about how much power you can throw around. You’re far more suited to lead the laws that govern our people. And you’re ready . Passing the first ring test for your earth and water is a mere formality. The future of witches will be in good hands with the three of you.”

Delilah sighs, relenting. “I suppose you’re right. But don’t think I won’t keep trying to convince you.”

I laugh, the sound mingling with the delighted shrieks of the children as Tris scoops them up in his arms, his sandy blond hair tousled and brown eyes sparkling.

This is where I belong, surrounded by my family. The first ring can shove it.

I’m content to bask in the joy of this perfect summer day. “Try all you want. I’m not budging from right here.”

“It is not Rowe’s time,” Crow says from my other side, her feet kicked up to balance on the railing. “The North is ready for new leaders, and the West is not yet ready to retire.”

I sigh, equal parts fondness and exasperation for my new mentor. Crow has taught me so much, but her insistence on fulfilling her vision of my destiny can shove it, too. “I’m never taking the first ring test. I’m happy here, raising the next generation of witches and teaching them to question authority.”

Crow chuckles, unperturbed by my rebellious streak. “You’ll come around eventually, my dear. Magic has a way of guiding us to our true path.”

Before I can retort, a flash of red curls catches my eye as Rosaline, my little hellion, darts out of the garden, her chubby legs pumping as she sets her sights on the woods.

“Rosaline, stop!” Tris chases after her. “You know you’re not allowed past the treeline! ”

Ambros, coming around the path, catches Rosaline by the scruff of her dress, halting her escape. In his other arm, he cradles a sleepy Orion, his black hair all I can see with his face smashed into Ambros’s neck.

Tris reaches them, scooping Rosaline into his arms and peppering her face with kisses. “What am I going to do with you, little miss?”

“Daddy, stop!” She wiggles and pushes at him, her golden-brown eyes alight. “No kisses!”

My heart swells with love as I watch my family.

When Dr. Lopez announced I was carrying twins, the whole town had buzzed with excitement, placing bets on who the fathers were. Rosaline, named after my mother, came into the world with a fierce cry, while Orion was a quiet, watchful presence from the start.

They’re a perfect blend of me and my mates, Rosaline with her untamable spirit and Orion with his thoughtful nature. I never imagined I’d have children, let alone twins, but now I can’t picture my life without them.

A piercing cry shatters the peaceful moment, and I turn to see Haut emerging from the house, an auburn-haired baby wailing in his arms .

“Someone’s hungry,” he says as he passes Amara to me.

I take her, marveling at how she’s the spitting image of Ambros, right down to the beautiful blue-green eyes currently overflowing with tears.

“You’re going to be a heartbreaker, aren’t you, little miss?” I coo, adjusting my top and bringing her to my breast.

She latches on, and I wince at the sharp tug on my sore nipple.

“I thought I had a bottle prepped,” I grumble, shifting to be more comfortable.

“You did, but Dean woke up first,” Owen calls out, stepping through the door with our other newborn.

He cradles Dean in the crook of his arm, the baby’s red hair sticking out in tufts as he suckles on a bottle.

That’s right. Twins times two. It’s as if the universe is having a grand old laugh at my expense, mocking me for all the times I swore I’d never have children.

Crow bounces her foot on the railing. “Keep this up, and you’ll have your own little coven before you know it.”

“Not happening. The baby oven is closed for business.” I shoot her a glare, but there’s no real heat behind it.

As overwhelming as it’s been, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. My heart is so full it feels like it might burst.

Owen tucks the empty bottle into his pocket and lifts Dean to his shoulder to pat his back. “I seem to remember you saying that after Rosaline and Orion were born.”

“I was bamboozled by baby fever,” I protest. “But I’m serious this time.”

“Sure you are.” Ambros steps up to the railing, Orion fast asleep on his shoulder. “Do you mind taking over, Haut? I’d like to play with the ones who are awake.”

Haut leans over and lifts Orion, settling our son against his chest with a tenderness that never fails to make my heart skip a beat. For all his gruff exterior, Haut turned out to be a natural father, endlessly patient and fiercely devoted.

Ambros bounds back into the garden to join Tris, where Rosaline and Esric are engaged in a game of tag. As he catches Rosaline from behind and swings her into the air, the sunlight glints off the silver ring on his finger.

It took my cousin Aris a few tries, but she figured out how to enchant jewelry with the Sunlight Spell, allowing vampires like Ambros to walk in the sun without fear. She sells that charm and many others at Mel’s shop, which keeps it inundated with online orders, keeping everyone in the coven busy with shifts to help fulfill the demand.

Aris visits every few months to discuss new products and to visit her ever-growing pool of extended cousins. It’s a far cry from the solitary existence she once led, and I know she treasures every moment spent with our chaotic brood.

Between children, family visits, continuing my apprenticeship, and the Branning Foundation, my days are full. After a few initial hiccups, the witchy database had blossomed into something remarkable. It’s now the go-to site for witches around the world, a place where they can connect, share knowledge, and forge friendships that span continents.

Contentment washes over me, deep and abiding. This is the life I never knew I wanted, but now that I have it, I can’t imagine anything else.

Crow leans in, her voice conspiratorial. “You know, there’s always room for one more.”

I snort, shaking my head. “Nope. We already need to finish the basement remodel just to have enough space for the kids we have now. ”

But even as I say it, I know better than to make any definitive statements. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.

Ambros tickles Rosaline, making her squeal. Esric, seeing his playmate captured, lets out a furious shout and launches himself at Ambros, sinking his tiny, flat teeth into the vampire’s calf.

“No biting!” Tris swoops down to help him. “This is all Zane’s fault for feeding in front of him!”

Ambros winces as Tris pries Esric off his leg. These kids are going to be a handful, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Crow chuckles, her gaze fixed on Rosaline and Esric. “There’s a connection between those two. Can you feel it?”

Intrigued, Delilah leans forward. “Could it be a spark?”

Haut growls, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. In his arms, Orion stirs, whimpering softly.

It’s hard enough to get our eldest son to sleep, and I shoot Haut a scolding look. “Stop growling at the children.”

The growl cuts off, and Haut stomps away, muttering under his breath about locking all the girls up in the basement .

I roll my eyes, knowing he’s all bark and no bite. Well, unless it’s the sexy kind of biting, but that’s a whole other story.

Ambros releases Rosaline, and she takes off like a bolt, Esric right on her heels.

Smiling, I hum under my breath, a song passed down through generations, the words only half-remembered. Surrounded by the people I love most in the world, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest witch alive.

This is our happily ever after, and the biggest adventure of our lives.

The End.

Thank you for reading Rowe’s adventures.