by Chanda Hahn
It knew, just like Teague knew, they were meant to be together.
Mina felt no pain, only joy, as the Fae world slowly changed, grew and blossomed before her. The two suns brightened, the grass turned green, and the land healed itself. Water filled the lake again, but the magic wasn’t done. The palace rebuilt itself, and the magnificent structure returned to its former glory.
But it didn’t look the same. There were fewer towers, more rounded glass domes like observatories, and the river-paths flowed through the grounds.
Teague shifted into a black griffin as he turned toward Mina. This one had specks of white on the tips of his feathers, and his eyes stayed the same white as Teague’s. Mina climbed onto his back as he jumped from the tower and flew across the palace and over the lake. For hours they flew, watching as the Fae world reknit itself and became even more beautiful. It was everything she ever dreamed of.
When everything seemed to be in order, they flew back to the palace and alit on the steps. Mina slipped off, and Teague shifted back. He stood by her side as hundreds of Fae pressed close, crying out in tears of joy and thankfulness.
Teague’s face turned down, and she recognized his frustration. “What’s the matter?” she whispered.
“I’ve only just got you, and I’m not in the mood to share,” he grumbled as a Fae child ran up and hugged Mina around the waist. His frown turned to one of bewilderment as the same child, in turn, hugged him. He looked at a loss, and then his hand came down and gently patted the girl’s head. “She can see me, and she’s not scared of me.”
“I think people can see you if they don’t fear Death.”
The little girl whispered, “Thank you.”
At that moment, Teague must’ve appeared to others. They began to understand that it took two to save the world.
“All hail the Fates,” Adrith called out from the crowd. “King of Darkness, Queen of Light.”
“Alright!” Ever whooped.
Nix clapped eagerly. The Fae cheered on relentlessly, and the sound became deafening.
“Fate?” Mina asked as she looked to Teague.
He seemed a little confused. “What did you think I meant when I asked you to stay with me? It was a marriage proposal.” He shrugged. “So maybe it wasn’t the best one. Don’t worry, the title of Queen won’t come into effect until after the ceremony, but your fate’s already tied to mine. We became the Fates when we saved the Fae plane.”
“I guess I didn’t expect to marry a Fate worse than Death.”
Teague’s eyes lit up as he picked Mina up and twirled her around to the encore of the crowd’s cheers.
“I promise to love you forever,” Teague said when he put her back down on the ground. He reached down and kissed her knuckles.
Mina smiled and spoke softly, “Forever isn’t long enough.”
Epilogue
The next few weeks were a whirlwind as the Fae planned her wedding to Teague and the coronation soon after. Teague kept his promise and returned to the In Between to help Ferah cross over. He also found her mother’s soul, but he didn’t just help her to the other side. He was able to do one better.
It seemed no one knew what to expect when a rogue prince who hardly played by the rules became the official Death Reaper. He was a Fate, and a Royal, and more powerful than any before him, so the rules became guidelines, and he bent them all.
Mina cried a river of tears when her father’s spirit appeared to her in the Royal gardens. James was smiling, his short mustache wiggling over his teeth. A second later, her mother appeared by his side in her full siren glory, and her father didn’t seem to mind. They both waved, and she watched as her father wrapped his arms around her mother before they slowly faded out. It was the best gift anyone could have given to her.
Her grandparents and brother finally made it back to the Fae plane, and Charlie seemed to be loving the siren life. He was wholly acclimated to the Fae world and customs. His clothes were covered in nets and shells, and he preferred to run around barefoot. He had even made friends with a younger siren boy.
Kino, Genni, and Reef frequently swam up the new networks of smaller streams in and around the new palace grounds, and Mina saw the reason the streams had been created. Because of her—for her family and friends. Nix loved to swim the streams too, and he would frequently pop out of the water and place shells and rocks along the sidewalks that lined the streams. Charlie planted his mother’s remembrance seed in the palace gardens, and it sprouted into a beautiful and fitting red orchid, aptly named a ruby siren.
Everything seemed to be in place, except that she couldn’t help but worry over her friends—the Godmothers, Nan, and Brody. The natural gates were still open, and there were hundreds of Fae that roamed the human plane—many evil ones who had been released when the Grimoire was destroyed the first time. She had some contact with the GMs, and it seemed like they had moved to a new location and were rebuilding, but no one was handling the rampant Fae.
Mina had wanted to go initially, but Teague said that was too dangerous for them all. If something happened to her, the Fae world would collapse again. She now understood the Fates’ dilemma and the reason for sending the Grimm brothers after the Fae.
They’d done it out of desperation, and Mina was about to do the same.
Mina and Teague spent hours discussing it, and they agreed. Teague sent for Ever and Nix and had them brought to the throne room. They stood in front of the thrones on the floor, so they would be on the same level when Ever and Nix approached.
Their dear friends—and now subjects—looked nervous, because things had changed. Especially now that Mina wore royal Fae robes of gold and white, and Teague wore his own in shades of gray and black. Behind the two thrones, on the wall, mysteriously appeared the betrothal picture of her and Teague that she had been looking for in the storage room. Mina had a suspicion that Teague was the one who hid it and was also the one who made it reappear.
Teague and Mina laughed when Nix curtsied and Ever bowed.
When everyone’s laughter died down, Mina asked them, “What are your plans for the future?”
Ever ran her fingers over her skirt and looked wary. “We’re going to stay with you. Remember, I’m your Godmother,” Ever answered.
Mina shook her head. “There’s no need anymore. The curse is broken.”
“Oh, yeah.” Ever’s wings slowly dipped in sadness.
Nix threw his arm over her shoulders and nudged her gently. “You can always be my guardian.”
Ever gave a wry smile, but she was still sad. “I just thought that we make such a good team. It can’t be over.”
Mina turned and picked up the Grimoire from the throne behind her. “It’s not. There are still hundreds of rogue Fae that can’t be left to roam free on the human plane.” She handed the book to Ever.
Ever’s hands trembled as she held the book. “I can’t take this. I’m not a Grimm.”
“Grimm is just a title. Think of it as a job description,” Teague said. “And as I’ve proven, those can be loosely followed. I think you’ll do just fine. You’ll make a phenomenal keeper of the Grimoire.”
Ever ran her fingers over the gold lettering and opened up the pages. Her wings fluttered in anticipation. “I’m in, as long as you’re sure you don’t need me.”
Mina smiled. “I’ve got my very own Reaper to protect me.” She nudged Teague, who placed his arm around her waist in affirmation. “Although as a Grimm with the Grimoire, you may need a Godmother.” Mina looked at Nix who seemed to balk at the idea.
“Nope, huh uh. I’m not going to do it if I have to be called a Godmother.” He puffed out his cheeks and drawled in a thick accent. “You can call me the Godfather.”
Ever rolled her eyes.
He grinned and winked.
Mina smiled. Her best friends were up for the challenge. She knew that Ever and Nix would look after Nan and Brody. The Godmothers, once they were reestablished, would help Ever as well. She hated that she
was unable to help over there in the world she loved so much, but the Grimoire would be in very capable hands.
Mina let out a deep breath. “I’ve waited so long to be free of the curse. And now that I am, I can’t continue the quest. My story is done, but your story, Ever… is just beginning.”
The End.
About the Author
Chanda Hahn is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. She uses her experience as a children's pastor, children's librarian, and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for young teens. She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and their twins.
Visit Chanda Hahn’s website to learn more about her other forthcoming books.
Other Books by Chanda Hahn
UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 1)
Fairest (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 2)
Fable (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 3)
Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 4)
Forever (Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 5)
The Iron Butterfly
The Steele Wolf
The Silver Siren
Connect with Me Online at:
Web: www.chandahahn.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chandahahn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChandaHahnAuthor
Connect with Me Online at:
Web site: www.chandahahn.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chandahahn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChandaHahnAuthor