Back Where 352
Zephyrine
“What type of Queen will you be, my dear?”
“A just one.”
“What type of wife will you be?”
“The most loving one.”
“And what type of support will you give the king?” Official source is
“The kindest.”
“And the love you have for him?”
“The kind that conquers all trials.”
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Walking me forward, she unveiled the crown, and goosebumps crept up my skin. The great crown of the Lycan Kingdom.
Lycannar’s stepmother smiled softly and turned to me, her eyes still carrying the weight of endless tears.
“I have made the journey from where I live to bring this to you. Now that I have, I must take my leave.”
Goosebumps rose again, but I understood her. I bowed my head, but she pulled me into her embrace, patting my back gently. When she released me, she gave me a smile, the saddest I had ever seen.
“You are the strongest woman I have ever known.”
A lump rose in my throat.
“Thank you, Mother,”
Quietly, I turned toward the exit and left. As I made my way through the hall, the losses weighed on my heart more than ever.
No death was mourned more deeply than that of Princess Mearez. The deaths of Luna Tahlia and her pup still pierced our hearts to this day.
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Days passed after we laid them to rest in the Royal Catacombs, performing rituals and prayers for their safe journey to the afterlife.
Lycannar had wept for his sister. Princess Serena had yet to recover from the great loss. Hades had tried his best to hold everyone together while consoling himself for the deaths of his woman, his pup, and his sister.
A brave man who bore everything on his shoulders and still managed to stand, a king in his own right.
The death of the Demon King was the last to occur, sealing the wars for good. Lycannar had presented me to him, and I feared he would object, but he didn’t.
Instead, he gave us his blessing. He pronounced Hades the new King of demon realm, blessed Young Black as his adopted grandson, and gave up the ghost.
His funeral was held with reverence, his sons lighting his pyre. When all that remained were ashes, Hades placed them in an urn and kept it in the memorial hall until the time came for the demons to return to their realm.
I arrived at the stairs of the dining hall and slowed, pausing to take in the sight. Uncle Dareth had left, but his family remained, offering constant emotional support, the kind we all needed.
Climbing the stairs with a heavy sigh, I thought of the people mourning all we had lost, precious lives we could never understand why they had to go.
When I entered the bedchamber and found it empty, I moved toward the corridor and found my husband standing there.
We had a simple wedding, Lycannar and I. Nothing extravagant, just vows spoken before his family and people. Since the Moon Goddess had already sealed our bond, there was no need for anything grand.
I walked up to him, and he turned to look at me. For a long while, neither of us spoke. These days, words were fewer, emotions spoke louder. Lycannar pulled me into his arms and kissed my hair lightly.
“How was the meeting with my mother?” he asked softly.
“She showed me the crown,” I replied, my eyes searching his with love. “It’s the most graceful I have ever seen, my love.”
“Yeah?” he asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as his gaze softened.
“Yes.”
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He kissed me again and turned me so we could both face outward, toward the world beyond the gates. Down below, the people went about their tasks, rebuilding their lives. My eyes caught the guards working on the gate, and curiosity stirred within me.
“We’re sealing the gate for good, love,” Lycannar whispered. “Just like in my father’s time. Once it’s sealed, it’ll remain so, until our pup, growing inside you, takes the throne. Then it will be up to them if the gate should open again.”
His hand caressed my belly, now showing the first signs of life within it, and I leaned into him, letting out a soft sigh.
For the best, I told myself. For the very best, the gate must be shut. If ever we need to trade, we will go to the Demon Realm, for I know they will rise again one day.
Lycannar held me from behind. The people were safe and healing. We were healing too. Princess Mearez hadn’t survived, and it was as though she had taken a vital part of Jurrek with her.
He now spent his life tending to her tomb, loving her even in death, never to marry or look at another woman again.
Hades kept his word to Luna Tahlia, raising young Black as his true son, without resentment. Princess Serena still struggled with grief, but Chantel stayed beside her, drying her tears.
Blue returned as my personal maid, tending to me with loyalty and love.
I watched as the massive gates of the Lycan Kingdom slowly reeled shut, the heavy metal groaning until a thunderous bang echoed through the land, silencing the entire empire for a heart–stopping moment.
We both stared at the gate for a long time. Then Lycannar leaned in and pressed a kiss to my neck, making me sigh softly.
Our love had conquered all, but at what cost?