Epilogue

T WO YEARS LATER

In the grand hall of Hollow's Castle, a thousand candles flickered like stars pulled down from the heavens, casting their soft glow over vibrant banners. The Hollow's crest embroidered in golden thread flowed in the night's breeze. The air hummed with quiet anticipation, a symphony of murmurs and the intoxicating perfume of freshly bloomed flowers. Petals, delicate as whispers, lay scattered across the marble floors, polished to reflect the night's splendor. It was a night of celebration, a royal wedding unlike any other, where Prince Kellian stood at the altar with Kyeria, his soulbound.

Princess Aura, radiant in a gown of silver that shimmered like the moon's reflection on still water, stood beside Nox, her own soulbound partner. Polished royal armor adorned his body, a red cape flowing from his back dignifying him as Kellian's second in command. His ocean eyes, always so steady, were alight with admiration as they watched the scene unfold before them. Kellian and Kyeria's hands were intertwined like the roots of ancient trees, as they stood at the altar. It spoke of a love deep and unspoken, forged through time. Aura's heart swelled as her gaze fell on her brother, Kellian, standing tall and proud. He was draped in royal armor, dragon scales glinting with a metallic sheen, a white cape flowing at his own back.

Beside him, Kyeria stood in serene grace, her emerald eyes reflecting the pulse of the earth itself. She wore a gown woven from the forest's own colors, green and gold, the very essence of life and magic swirling around her. Flowing sleeves with golden embroidered vines wrapped up her arms, ending in cuffs at her wrists. The back of the dress cut low, gathering at her waist and flowing down into an endless train of emerald. Together, they were a portrait of unity—fae and dragon, earth and flame—two souls intertwined in a bond as ancient as the gods and goddesses.

The ceremony unfolded to the soft, enchanting notes of fae melodies, notes that seemed to float through the air, wrapping the hall in a spell of peace and joy. Aura felt a tear slip down her cheek, not of sorrow, but of pure contentment. Turning to Nox, she whispered, "Look at them, they are truly perfect together."

Nox, ever the silent one, allowed a rare smile to cross his lips. His gaze found hers, dark eyes reflecting the light she brought to his life. "They are," he murmured, and though the words were simple, the meaning behind them was vast as he squeezed her hand three times signifying three words— I love you . She was his moon in an endless night sky, the constant that guided him through all. In the same way, Kyeria was Kellian's sun, a bright and constant reminder of life and magic.

Next to them, Esmeralda, the royal witch whose wisdom had guided the kingdom through its darkest days, watched with quiet pride. She was absent of her normal deep maroon wardrobe, instead wearing a silver shimmering gown to compliment Aura's own. Her hair was braided and twisted back away from her face, golden gems adorning many strands all pulled into a twist of curls at the nape of her neck. The twin witches rescued from the dungeons of Evanthia stood by her side, their expressions full of wonder, honored to witness such a moment. Once, they had been lost, their magic misunderstood and feared. Now, in The Hollow, they were celebrated, their power a beacon of light, as all magic was cherished and regarded here on this sacred land.

Zephyra, once a force of untamed magic, had found her sanctuary in the Dragioner Forest, her flame now a steady warmth, no longer wild but still fiercely powerful. She and Aura had worked together to understand both their magics, the flame and light so akin to the other. Zephrya was still a mystery to many, keeping to herself, and yet to reveal her true background. Nonetheless, the heirs had granted her safe haven here in The Hollow, as they had Kyeria. Zephyra had saved and stayed with the young Hollow witches, Eamon and Selene, in the clutches of the Evanthian King. She had protected them with her own life, despite hardly knowing them. And for that, Kellian and Aura had offered the safety of The Hollow, a home and a land where she could exist in whatever capacity she wished.

As Kellian and Kyeria exchanged their vows and sealed them with a kiss, the hall erupted in applause and cheers, a chorus of joy that echoed through the castle. Aura and Nox joined the celebration, their hearts full, overflowing for the love that had bloomed in the hearts of the newlyweds. The night unfurled like a storybook, with dancing, laughter, and tales shared beneath a sky full of stars that seemed to shine brighter than ever before.

In that moment, bathed in the glow of the moon and the lanterns strung throughout the castle, it felt as if the universe itself was rejoicing, cradling them all in the warmth of its embrace. For Aura and Nox, for Kellian and Kyeria, and for all those who had gathered in The Hollow's sacred land, it was a night of beginnings. The battles of the past, the sorrows and struggles, were now but memories, woven into a tapestry of joy that would carry them into the future and what was yet to come.

And so, as the stars watched over them and the laughter spilled into the deepest hours of the night, a quiet promise filled the air—a promise of brighter days and unshakable bonds. They had all found their place in this world, and they lived happily ever after.