Estefania didn't get much sleep after the ball. There were many things to consider. Her betrothal was broken. Her sister was the empress of the fairies. Fletcher was the king of Cyra. Nathaniel was no longer a wolf, and that was just the things that had happened that day. 

Solomon had insisted she retire to her room once the ball was over. She'd forgotten their desperate need to return to Sahar until he'd reminded her after the ball. Her grandmother was dying. She, Bastien, and Avangelique had been asked to come to her bedside as soon as the Cyran balls had concluded.

Her sister reassured her that their curses were gone. Fletcher had ordered Mona escorted to the dungeons where she would live out the remainder of her days. Bastien was free. Estefania had to give it to Elowen. The lady from Nene had succeeded where she could not. 

The next morning, she found her brother trying to reassure Wryn at the breakfast table that he would return to her as soon as he could. The newly titled marquess was tearful and clutched Bastien's hand like a rope at sea. Not even her mother, the Dowager Duchess who sat beside her, could push aside her fears. 

Nathaniel sat at the other end of the table in deep conversation with Fletcher. Neither looked like they'd slept at all. The new king was calling for strong tea and nearly dunked his hand in the cup when it was set before him. Nathaniel didn't look much better because he kept missing the sausages on his plate, and he attempted to spear them with his utensil. 

Neither brother acknowledged her as she sat beside them. It wasn't like Nathaniel owed her anything, but she hoped they could talk before she left. The last time they'd spoken directly was before her failure in the trial.

Avangelique skipped into the breakfast room with a chirpy grin. Estefania thought her sister must have used magic on herself because there was no way she'd been able to sleep enough to procure this amount of energy. 

"Last night was exciting," she grabbed a pastry from the middle of the table and began tearing it apart with her fingers. I suppose you'll have to have a formal crowning soon, Fletcher."

"A less dramatic ceremony might bring some peace to the people," Fletcher said. "I dread having to plan the funeral for our father."

Lorenzo scoffed from his place at the table. "Put Mother in charge of it and wash your hands of that monster. He intentionally let us suffer our entire lives. He deserves to rot in an unmarked grave."

Estefania didn't blame them. They'd been scarred by their father, and he'd made their lives physically unbearable. Now, the brothers were free of pain, and Nathaniel could actually express his emotions. If only he would look her in the eye. 

"When are we leaving, Steffie?" Bastien asked.

That brought her back to reality. They needed to leave. Sahar needed them. Avangelique was the fairy empress, so perhaps she could save Sahar's land. They didn't need the Cyrans for that. She was already so grateful to Fletcher for publicly dissolving their betrothal.

"As soon as we can," she said. "Grandmother is dying after all."

The table mood sobered. Estefania wasn't hungry and pushed food around her plate. Finally, she stood and went back to her room. The servants had already packed her things, and she sank onto the bed with a hollow pit in her stomach. 

A knock sounded on her door, and she looked up as Nathaniel opened it. He walked inside the room, sat down beside her on the bed, and pushed her hair back to look her in the eye. He smiled softly, but there was something sad in his eyes. 

"I made a decision," he said. "I'm coming with you to Sahar."

She looked at him in shock. "What?"

He cupped her face. "We started this journey, Nia. It's only fair that I finish it at your side, love."

Her heart beat faster at the sound of his voice. She'd missed talking to Nathaniel. She'd be able to be with him unafraid he'd transform. It was a blessing and a comfort. 

"I love you," she said. 

There was a brief surprise that crossed his face before it settled into relief. He leaned in close and kissed her. Her lips curved up as she took in the marquis. He was here, and for the first time, she allowed herself a moment to imagine a future with Nathaniel. 

They broke apart, and Estefania was breathless. She loved Nathaniel. There was no longer any denying that fact. He was the only man she'd ever want. 

"I love you too," he said. 

She took his hand, and he leaned in close. Estefania never wanted to leave this moment, and she clung to him desperately because if she let go, she was afraid that he might disappear. She just wanted to live in this moment forever. 

In the two days it took to travel home, Estefania held Nathaniel's hand for the entire ride. He hadn't left her side when they stopped for the night in Nene at the earl's house. They slept side by side, much to Solomon's chagrin, but Estefania didn't care. 

The second day as they rode across the hills and into the warm climate of her homeland, she let him point out landmarks and towns through the window. He made jokes and talked more about his travels with the rangers and by the time they reached the capital of Sahar she realized she loved an emoting Nathaniel even more than the cursed man. 

Estefania almost cried as the Saharite Palace came into view. This was home. Her people gawked on their streets, trying to get a view of the banished heirs. The palace gates opened for them like a hug, drawing them in and tucking them close. 

"I can't believe we're actually here," Bastien said as the carriage drew to a gentle stop. "I mean, what do we do now?"

It was a question that Estefania hadn't dared voice out loud. She didn't know her own people. Bastien had grown up in Nene, and Avangelique only knew Cyra as a home. 

Estefania turned to Solomon. Surely, her advisor knew what to do. He's been quiet most of the ride, but she trusted him because he's always been there for her. 

"It's been a long time since I've been here to see Queen Blythe," he said. "And I'd even distanced myself from her court before your grandmother asked me to take you into the desert."

"Was it because of your daughter?" Estefania asked. 

Solomon winced. "I didn't realize you learned that Monique was my daughter. Her mother died of shame after Monique disgraced herself in court trying to get Prince Hadrian to renew their betrothal. I thought that by allowing my daughter to be a fairy, I was allowing her to make her own decisions. I see now it turned a rather entitled young girl into a power-hungry monster who thought she deserved anything she set her hands on."

"You couldn't have known who she'd become," Nathaniel said. 

"As a father, I should have known better," Solomon said. "But I'd just closed off all thoughts of her after the fairies fell. I assumed she was dead like all the others who served the Fairy Empress."

"It isn't your fault," Avangelique said. "And Monique is secured in a cell for the rest of her days."

The door to the carriage opened, and a balding man in an ornate robe smiled down at them. It had been a good long while since Estefania had seen her father. He was thinner and more worn since last winter when he'd traveled the desert to see her for only two days. Hadrian de Sahar held out his hand to help her down from the carriage, and she stared at her father with a look of half anger and half exhaustion. 

She always thought he was a good man. She'd never imagined him as the villain in someone else's story. Still, he'd chosen another woman for comfort over his fiancee. He's ruined the future Monique thought she would have and caused her to unleash chaos over her family. 

She pushed his hand aside and rose from the carriage on her own. Nathaniel stepped out beside her and held her hand as she blinked in the Saharite sunlight. It wasn't the heat of the desert, but the sun was comforting. 

"Welcome home," her father said as he helped Avangelique down from the carriage. "We've missed you."

Her siblings were equally quiet. It was like no one knew what to say to the man who'd let them be sent away. Finally, Bastien broke the silence. 

"Where is Grandmother?" 

Estefania knew it was the question on all of their minds. They hadn't come here for a heartfelt family reunion. She wasn't sure she wanted that with her father. 

"I'll take you to her," her father said. "Follow me."

He led them into the palace. Estefania felt like she was in a dream. She half-remembered these halls and chambers, but here she was, a stranger in her ancestral home. It dazed her to realize how distant she was from the little girl who'd been a carefree princess here.

Nathaniel squeezed her hand as they walked. That pressure kept her grounded as they ascended a massive set of stairs, and her father led them down another hall. Finally, they reached a room where a dozen people milled about outside. 

"Prince Hadrian," a guard cleared his throat. "You've found your children?"

"They are here to see Her Majesty as requested," her father said. 

The guard bowed and moved aside. Estefania followed her father into the room, and Nathaniel waited outside to give the family privacy. There, she took in the massive bed and the frail elderly lady lying there. Her grandmother's eyes were glassy, and she looked like she could barely lift her arms. 

The room was dim, and only a physician was sitting in the corner of the room. Her grandmother looked first at her son, Prince Hadrian, and then she took in her three grandchildren. Estefania felt the old woman's piercing stare even though her eyes were milky. 

"Hello, grandmother," she said. 

"Estefania," her grandmother smiled. "Welcome home, my daughter."

"You called us home," Estefania said. 

Her grandmother coughed. "It was time. You are the future of Sahar. I could not trust the fate of our land to anyone else, Estefania. Bastien, my boy, Cyra owes you a great debt for finding their missing marquess, and you made many friends in Nene. Avangelique, you, too, surpassed my expectations. The Cyrans see you as a trusted sister, and the fairies will be your legacy."

"We didn't do this for you," Avangelique said. "We did it because it was the right thing."

"I know, little fairy," her grandmother wheezed. "And I am sorry. You shouldn't have had to suffer for our decisions."

Estefania knew there was no point in fighting with their grandmother. The old woman's breaths were labored. She's brought them home for a final goodbye. 

"What about your magic, Ava?" Bastien asked. "Could you help her?"

"I don't need more magic, child," her grandmother said. "I just want to know that my country is in the right hands. You three are the right hands."

Estefania actually smiled at that. She'd seen her family's mistakes in the mirror. She could be better and restore Sahar. 

Her grandmother took her last breath with a smile on her face. Avangelique was able to conform it before the physician. Queen Blythe de Sahar had passed into the realm below the sunset.