Chapter 24: The End
The evening sunlight felt different this time. Magical, almost—like it knew we’d survived the storm.
A new dusk. A new kingdom. And finally, a last name to call my own.
"Veravos Spade has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?" I said, still holding Scarlette’s hand like I never wanted to let go.
She smirked. "Yeah. There’s a kind of finality in that. Like you’re done running."
We both laughed.
Funnily, we were the two people that could cause major destruction to the Fairy race but now we are entrusted to lead it. Well, you could pity the citizens, but I am their Dark Fairy King now. So there’s that.
A moment passed. Then, more quietly, she asked, "Do you think we’ll end up like the monarchs we overthrew?"
"The fact that you’re asking means you won’t," I said with soft certainty. "You’re going to be a great queen, Scar."
And I meant it—because I believed it with all my heart.
"Judorah wanted to snuff out the light," I said. "To rewrite the truth in her image—as the Dark Fairy Queen."
"And Baltimore," Scarlette added, her voice tightening. "He twisted devotion into obedience. Turned love into blind allegiance. Made an emerald to rewrite reality—and erased me from the memories of everyone I ever knew."
I pulled her closer. "Love isn’t supposed to be erasure. What he did to you... you didn’t deserve that. None of it."