Epilogue

SAGE

Three Months Later

I 'm a bundle of nerves.

The grand hall falls silent as Wolfe and I stand at the front, facing two golden thrones intricately crafted from interconnected bones that gleam in the light pouring in from the arched windows. The thrones sit atop a platform a few steps up, and everything feels like a fairy tale, that it's not really happening.

Behind us, a crowd of at least a thousand Shadowfen remains hushed, their gazes fixed on us. I glance back quickly and see the crowd, their eyes gleaming. In the front row, I spot my mom and sister next to Killian and Nyko, who are blowing me kisses. I'm blushing crazily.

Mom's smiling, though she occasionally glances around nervously at the numerous Shadowfen in their monster forms. But she's been surprisingly embracing since she arrived in Blight this morning.

Seeing them together, I'm ecstatic, and my heart swells with emotion. I smile at them because it means the world to me to have them here, witnessing our coronation. This moment, surrounded by those I love and those who believe in us, is more than I could ever have dreamed.

"Your father would be so proud, Wolfe," Eirik says.

I turn back around to see an older monster, who looks like a legendary warrior from ancient tales, standing several feet in front of us. He's broad and huge, with white hair and aging lines etched deeply into his face, and he's wearing a mauve robe. Wolfe told me Eirik is one of the closest friends of Wolfe's late father, the old King. His smile is wide, genuine, and filled with happiness as he looks at us.

"Both of you, rightful heirs, standing here today, it's a sight that is overdue."

With my father taking over the kingdom—through him killing the old King—it means that as the eldest, I was also considered an heir to the Silvercrest Kingdom under Blight law. Which would have meant that Wolfe and I would be required to fight for the position to the death… that's if we weren't getting married and taking the thrones together.

Somehow, all the tragedy and chaos have brought us to this perfect ending.

Wolfe grins, standing tall in his monster form, his tailored black pants fitting him perfectly. It took some convincing, but I insisted he wasn't completely nude—especially with my mother attending—and now he looks every bit the royal he deserves.

I'm wearing a mauve-pearl gown, holding my human form for my mother to avoid frightening her more. The dress's delicate fabric shimmers in the light. The gown is more elaborate than anything I've ever worn. Its semitransparent material hints at my curves but doesn't reveal anything. The bodice is fitted and adorned with silver embroidery that traces swirling patterns over my torso. The skirt flows out in layers of gossamer, trailing behind me in a long, elegant train. Tiny, enchanted spiders made of silver thread sit on the train, their presence apparently customary as they symbolize the powerful web of connections and responsibilities that come with ruling a kingdom.

I try not to think about them as it's slightly creeping me out. Every time I shift, the spiders seem to come to life, their legs glinting as they weave their way through the fabric.

"Today, we honor not only the past but also the future. You both have fathers who were Kings, and while the past is the past, today you begin your reign as the rightful heirs." Eirik's voice booms across the extravagant hall, only recently built.

The ceiling is lofty and arched, and the walls are white but painted in dark gold with artistic drawings that depict the scenes leading up to this moment. From the collapse of the first kingdom to the vessel in the water, our battle with the Nythrax beast, to me in my monster form, and Wolfe, Killian, and Nyko in theirs. It leaves me giddy to think I am part of this world's history.

The coronation is already well underway, and I'm almost bouncing on my toes. It's overwhelming standing here next to Wolfe, about to be crowned in this magnificent hall.

Two monsters in mauve robes, similar to Eirik's, step forward, each carrying a soft cushion with a crown resting atop. The crowns leave me breathless as they catch the light and sparkle brilliantly. The crown that I assume is mine is a masterpiece of mauve pearls, the radiant amethyst set in the center casting a soft purple glow. Smaller diamonds and pearls are encrusted around the band, forming delicate patterns that glint with every movement. It matches perfectly with the pearl necklace Nyko gave me. My eyes sting, but I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

Wolfe's crown is set with a large, dark sapphire at its center, surrounded entirely by gleaming diamonds, and is stunning. As the crowns are brought closer, I blink away the tears. Wolfe's hand is in mine, and I glance over at him. He's smiling at me like I'm the most amazing person in the world. My knees are weak, and I curl my fingers around his hand, needing his stability before the emotions engulf me.

Eirik lifts Wolfe's crown first. "With this crown, we honor your lineage and your right to rule as our King." He places it on Wolfe's head.

Then, turning to me, Eirik smiles warmly. "And with this crown, we welcome a new era, guided by strength and unity as you rule as our Queen." He carefully places the crown on my head. It's a bit heavy, but I feel like a Queen standing here with Wolfe.

A tear slips out from the corner of my eye, my chest so tight from the overwhelming happiness flaring through me.

Eirik steps back, addressing the crowd. "I present to you your new King and Queen of Silvercrest Kingdom, rightful heirs to the throne!" Then he waves for us to go to our thrones.

The applause is deafening, the room filled with cheers and roars of approval.

"I call forward Killian and Nyko," Eirik continues. "From this moment on, let it be known that Killian and Nyko, loyal and true, are now appointed as Princes of the Silvercrest Kingdom. Together, they will lead us into a new direction of prosperity and strength."

I glance back and see everyone, including my sister, Elara, and my mom, on their feet, clapping. I'm full-blown crying now, unable to stop my tears. My mom looks so proud, tears glistening in her eyes.

Killian and Nyko stroll toward us, both in their monster forms.

Wolfe's hand grips mine a bit tighter, grounding me in this moment.

"Look at you," Wolfe says softly, his eyes shining with pride. "You look like you were born for this."

I smile, my heart swelling with love and pride. "I couldn't have done it without you," I whisper back.

We're now standing in front of the thrones that are made of gold with violet cushioning. Wolfe and I take our seats, Nyko and Killian standing on either side of us. The whole crowd roars. I'm shaking from this moment, something I will never ever forget.

I reach over and squeeze Nyko's hand, feeling like I'm living a real fairy tale. I glance at Wolfe, who is sitting tall and proud, his presence commanding and strong, just as I imagine he'd seen his father sitting on the throne. Killian and Nyko are smiling and, surprisingly, not saying anything. Though I can tell it's killing Nyko, as his shadow form can't stand still.

Eirik steps forward once more. "This is a new beginning, a new chapter in our history. With our new King and Queen and their loyal Princes, we will face any challenges that come our way. Long live the King and Queen!"

"Long live the King and Queen!" the crowd echoes, their voices united in celebration.

As I sit here, tears rolling down my cheeks, I know that this is the happiness I've always sought… I just never knew I was destined to be a Queen with three soon-to-be husbands at my side.

I'm laughing, trying not to cry out as Nyko licks my neck. We're in a dressing room, as I've come here to change out of my gown from the coronation into my wedding dress. The wedding won't be a traditional ceremony, but there will be an exchange of vows and blood in front of everyone, which officially makes the four of us married. Down in the main courtyard, the celebrations are about to begin. So many people are there already, including my mother and half sister.

The moment I arrived upstairs to change, Nyko found me… in his shadow form.

"You're tickling…" I whisper, half giggling, half moaning.

"Only because I'm being gentle. Fuck, I almost died being next to you but not having you against me. We might as well have been worlds apart." His lips drag across my collarbone, his cool shadow arms looping around my middle, pulling up my dress. "I'm going to help you get changed, then I'm going to fuck you," he purrs in my ear. "If I don't do this, I'm going to steal you from the celebration because I can't stand another second without having you."

I giggle, unable to get enough of him. "But everyone's outside… and…"

"There are guests waiting, My Lord and Queen," Howler's sudden interruption fills the room, to which Nyko groans, and I'm grinning. I love that we salvaged him from the vessel, and now he lives in our kingdom, connected to all royal buildings.

"Go away, Howler. Not now," Nyko growls, his gaze on me. "I need this. They can wait."

"Of course, My Lord, I will play a different round of songs to get everyone up and dancing."

"Thank you, Howler," I say, then turn my attention on Nyko.

In moments, he has the gown off me, and it's a slight relief to have the spider dress off me. His huge tongue drags across his lips, and I'm instantly wet for him, my thighs squeezing together.

"You're so fucking beautiful, Sage. Every time I see you, it's like the first time."

He has me in his arms, walking me to the couch, just as the door barges open to both Killian and Wolfe entering.

I flinch, watching their expressions.

They eye us, grinning, and with the door rapidly shut, they rush over to me, undressing.

"Good idea. I need her before the celebration, or I'll go insane," Killian states.

"The way you looked in that dress," Wolfe adds. "You were destroying me in there, as I tried so hard not to get a hard-on."

I'm laughing as they stroll toward me, and I flop onto the couch. They watch me, hungry, gazes lowering to my breasts, to me spreading my legs.

"I guess there's no other way but to serve my men." I try to put on a royal voice but sound anything but, and I giggle.

Then they fall to their knees, Wolfe reaching for my hand.

"Anything for our Queen."

They come at me, and I feel so loved that I can't remember what it was like to experience anything but adored.

Nyko's tongue trails down my stomach, sending shivers through my body, his head dipping between my thighs. His touch, though shadowy, is solid and cool against my skin, and when his tongue laps my pussy, I cry out with exhilaration. Wolfe's strong hand curls over a breast, and he leans in, his breath hot against my ear.

"You make me so fucking aroused, Sage. I can't wait to fill you with my cum every day."

I gasp at his words, but I'm distracted by Nyko's tongue and by Killian's fingers tracing over my other breast and pinching my nipple. His lips find mine, and we kiss like we're on fire.

"You are everything to me," Killian whispers against my mouth.

I wrap my arms around him and Wolfe, pulling them closer. My legs curl over Nyko's shoulders, and I moan. My body buzzes, floats, while my heart pounds with love for my monsters.

I can barely breathe, overwhelmed by the sensations and the emotions from today.

"I love you all," I cry out. "So much…" I lose my words to my cries of desire as my body spills into a climax. I shudder against them, adoring how they never let me go but enjoy my pleasure with me.

They pull back, and to my surprise, they are getting to their feet.

"You know, it's customary," Wolfe begins, "that before a ceremony, the new bride is rutted by her intended husband in view of the audience."

I gasp. "Shut up, that's not true, and we're not doing that, ever!"

Killian chuckles, while Nyko has an expression on his face as if he's contemplating it, then says, "It could be so easy to go on the balcony, bend you over and fuck you so hard, make you scream, and the Shadowfen will cheer you on."

"I can't think of anything worse. That's an awful tradition, I'm sorry to say. And my mother and half sister are out there." Normally, when it comes to sex, I've given in a lot to their requirements, but this is where I draw the line.

"Which is why we're in here and not out there," Wolfe explains with a cheeky grin, taking my hand and pulling me against him.

I can hear the sounds of the celebration outside, laughter, music, and the murmur of voices, but right now, I'm surrounded by my future husbands, naked and pressed against me. Four cocks for a Queen like me seem fitting… I glance at them all.

"Well then, show me how my King and Princes truly adore their Queen."

They take me in their arms, and I'm at their mercy, I know I am, but the sense of arousal, of peace, of fulfillment, is a reminder that this is it.

This is my perfect ending.