Epilogue: Martin

Back at last. Though the reception from his own-year group had been tepid, the reception from the professors, those who went to the coast with him, and Yannick were happy and excited for his return.

Yannick, after spending a few days recovering from deep hibernation, more or less corroborated Morgryn's story as they walked through the garden to the spot where they once used to hang out.

"He was kind of an asshole about it, but I had limited options at the time. I couldn't get back out. I was convinced everyone was dead, and it was my fault – all my damned fault for taking us there just because I thought I'd found a cool spot."

It was good to see Yannick, though the scars left from losing three of their friends wouldn't ever fully disappear.

"All that time, I'd been focused on searching for your body, Yan. But there was a part of me that was worried if you had purposefully set us up since you were the only one unaccounted for."

Hurt flashed across Yannick's face before he recovered. "I suppose I get it. It's not fun to consider, but yeah." He sighed, looking at the empty stone bench. "I really thought everyone was gone. Man, it's good to know you made it." He bumped fists with Martin before adding, "I see you ended up making some new friends in the five months. What about that woman, Willow? You two seemed pretty cozy on the walk back."

"We're kind of dating now," Martin said, and Yannick let out a whoop.

"Oh, nice! But what do you mean, kind of dating?"

"We don't really want to put a label on it. We're just enjoying each other's company right now. We'll see where it goes, you know?"

"Oh yeah, totally. You don't need to rush those things." A rather sad smile popped up then. "We used to tease you, all of us, that you sucked at finding a girlfriend. You were always scaring people away."

"My sister did that, too," Martin grumbled. "You'd think your own sibling would have faith in you, right? But no. At least Willow doesn't seem like she wants to run away yet."

Considering some of the more intimate moments they'd shared… he hoped things would remain like that for a long, long time.

Seeing her walk toward him, waving and almost leaping up in the air in excitement, melted his heart completely.

Back at last. Stronger than before. Missing his friends, mourning them still in his quiet way, but happy at the same time with the others who had entered his life. With Willow, who, in spite of her fear, worked to help him and create the conditions to allow him to move on.

He didn't know how he'd possibly be able to repay such a huge favor. If it took him years and years, though, he'd be happy to work off every second.

Though they all had a little more work to do as well, it seemed they needed to stop whatever the hell the Unseelie Court was up to before more incidents like the coastal cave occurred, before anyone else needlessly lost their lives and became enchanted at the whims of the fae.

At least he wouldn't be tackling it alone anymore.