Chapter 38

Callum

We’re close to the catacombs when a light emerges from around a bend in the tunnel.

I really wish I’d brought a weapon.

“Sig, do you have that insane-looking knife on you?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Always.”

“Who’s there?” I call out.

The reply rips me in two—a voice I was worried I’d never hear again. “Callum?!”

“Flora!”

“I’m here!”

I don’t remember running to her. All I know is I’ve dropped to my knees, my arms wrapped around Flora’s legs as I sob my guts out.

Everyone else huddles around us.

She drops two heavy things that clatter to the floor, sounding like fucking broadswords or something larger.

“Are you okay?”

“Mostly!”

“Who was it? What happened?”

“I don’t know. They’re back there with the treasure. Having a nap.”

“Treasure?”

“Yes, Callum’s family treasure, come look!”

“No way.”

“Flora, did you kill somebody?”

“No, no. I hit one over the head with the butt of a probably-thousand year old dagger, then I choked out the other one with my string of pearls. Everybody back away, I need to talk to Callum!”

I kneel down in front of him.

“Are you okay?”

At the sight of him, I nod, tears of relief streaming down my face.

“It’s real, Callum. It’s all real. Everything you said. You were right?—”

“It doesn’t matter,” he says. “As long as I have you back.”

“It does, though. Because I want all of you to see this.”

Kala snorts. “Right. No way am I going any deeper into this cave.”

I look up at my sister-in-law. “Listen, sister. I walked through the catacombs for this. You’re all coming with me to see this.”

Callum kisses me so hard that he steals my breath away.

“I love you, Callum Black.”

“I love you more, Flora Haart.”

I smile as he wipes the dirt from my face. “Hey. Can I change my last name to Black Haart when we get married because that’s pretty badass.”

He laughs and kisses me again.

Sigurd groans. He’ll get over it.

“You’re about to be queen. You can do whatever you want with your name.”

“A pretty good name for the last queen of the kingdom.”

You could hear a pin drop in the cave after I say this. “Relax, everyone. I’ll explain it all later.”