Cage had expected Ferrahs to let him fester in the dungeon for at least several hours. But he'd also thought the king would have him called to be humiliated and maybe sentenced to death.

He hadn't expected to be left to his own devices for what felt like forever. 

Without any natural light breaking through the bleak and humid air in the dungeon, it was hard to gauge the passing of time. His swirling thoughts added to the distortion effect, and he found himself constantly losing awareness of his surroundings.

His thoughts were circular, following a pattern he had come to know as well as his own heartbeat.

Kat and how he couldn't understand how everything had crumbled so quickly.

The magic flowing through him and through her and what it had done to them both.

How much he missed her and longed for her.

How much he loved her even if she was the heir of Endir.

Jazz, Jinx, and Trix, and whether they were alright.

What had Jazz seen? What could have been worse than what had happened? Why had he chosen to push Kat so hard that she ended up destroying the ship and almost killing them all?

Lucille... Lucille was still around, disguised as Leila. Why did she push him and Kat together like that? What was she after?

The frozen fields and the piles of burning corpses. Kat, and ice queen on her throne.

The images of the impending war came to him more often, tormenting him whenever he drifted to sleep. Every time, there seemed to be more details. Patterns of frost, the swirling colors of flames. The more real it became, the more he dreaded that he would soon see other things as well. Faces he remembered, people he loved.

Would Kat really raise Iride to the ground? Had the magic changed her enough to forget him and wage war on her own kingdom? Her father was there.

You can't escape your fate.

He'd heard that so often lately. But what was his fate? As it played out so far, he was going to die, executed by order of the man who had taken everything from him.

How had it all boiled down to Fherras when Cage had always tried to belittle his importance in his twisted, shitty life?

The maddening thought began to take over, only strengthening his vision of destruction and doom. Every time they came to his mind, the images were in sharper focus as if the more he thought about it, the more real this particular bit of future became.

He could feel the frost biting his skin, smell the burning meat, and the decay. After a time, it became all he could think about, everything else nothing more than a passing shadow.

Could he do anything to change this? Was it his fault? Had he made a terrible mistake when he'd revealed who he was? He'd only done it to save Jinx, Trix, and Alathea. Not for selfish reasons. It had been very long since he'd done anything for selfish reasons. His life had always been about control, ever since he was a child.

Don't show who you really are. Keep up the lie. Keep in your feelings. It was why he'd chosen to be at sea for most of his life. It was another world in which he could forget everything. Then, the curse hit, and it had been about a whole different kind of control. Don't snap. Don't murder anyone. And now...

His past and the probable future mixed into a jagged knot inside his chest, pushing him, tearing him apart.

Kat... He loved her with everything he was, but could he put his feelings for her above the loyalty to his kingdom?

A kingdom that shunned you. A kingdom that would have you dead if they learned what you've become.

It was still his kingdom. No matter what Fherras had done, he couldn't destroy the truth.

The thought was excruciatingly painful because it made what he had to do clear as day.

But he couldn't. He'd left that life behind.

Every time the thought came to mind, the images of the fall of Iride only intensified. He should have never drank that water. Cecile knew what she was doing. Jazz knew what he was doing. This wasn't accidental. Cage knew Jazz, and in spite of everything, he trusted him. This had to be the best outcome.

Except it would tear him to pieces.

Frozen leaves and burning flesh.

Blood and fire. Fire and ice. Ice and death.

"Cage!"

The images dissolved as weak light and a grey wall took their place. He wasn't asleep, he was sure, and yet he'd completely missed the light turning on.

Jazz stood outside the bars, looking clean and fresh. His clothes were still simple, though a lot better tailored than the ones he usually wore.

"Jazz, what's going on? How's--" He tried to stand, but his legs gave out, and he plummeted into the bars. "Oh, what the fuck?"

"Easy." Jazz took a step closer. "Give yourself time."

Cage guessed he looked awful, but the lack of feeling in his legs was a lot more troubling. Though, if he stopped to think about it, he couldn't remember the last time he'd stood.

"How are Trix and Jinx?"

Jazz winced, and Cage's chest filled with dread. But his friend smiled.

"Jinx is fine. All healed and hating this stationary life. There is no change for Trix. I've managed to get Allie back into the water, so she's fine, too."

Cage let out a breath of relief, even if the news about Trix was troubling.

"How are you holding out?" Jazz asked, his tone weary.

"I hate waiting. I..." He bit his lower lip. Idle conversation couldn't distract him from his obsession. "The things I see. The fire and the ice and all that death... Is that what you saw, too?"

Jazz hesitated for a moment before nodding. "No use hiding it. Cecile wanted to show you the gravity of the situation."

Of course she did. Cage didn't even want to think about her. "So that is what will happen if I don't get involved?"

Jazz nodded again.

"And that's why you did everything? Enraged Kat, allowed Jinx and Trix to be hurt, tortured me with magic?"

"I'm really sorry about all of that." Jazz's voice broke and it took him a moment to regain his bearing. "You have to understand that the moment Ferdinand died, everything shifted. Your future has always been subject to change, except now, your options are tied to the fate of the kingdom. You can, of course, still do whatever you want. But if you choose to abandon everything... Well, you saw what happens."

Cage nodded and leaned against the opposite wall. It felt good to have someone to speak to about the mess inside his head, someone who knew exactly what he was seeing.

"Everything... The ice, the death... Is that Kat?"

Jazz took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yes. I don't think telling you this will influence fate in any way. Yours or hers."

"How could that be Kat? You know her. She would never do something like that."

"I don't know the hows and the whys, Cage. But I don't underestimate Lucille. The way those voices drove her mad enough to blow up my ship, they can make her do so much more."

Yes, there was that. Lucille. More fairies, more magic coming between them. It still hurt, but maybe not as much as it did before. Not with all the pain and death she could bring upon his people.

"What am I supposed to do? I mean, what are my options?"

Jazz shook his head. "I'm at a knot again. I don't know what your choices would bring. I just know you need to make one."

Of course. Except he'd already made one. He glanced around the cell. "What if Fherras makes the choice for me?"

"Could he really? If you let him kill you, that would still be your choice when you can stop it. Easily."

That was also true. The more he stared around, the more reality seemed to sink into his bones. There was an empty tray at his feet that he couldn't remember. Had it been filled with food? Had he eaten anything?

"I'll take that," Jazz said, following his gaze. "You should have been left to starve. Malcom has been sneaking you food."

"Really?" He couldn't remember seeing anyone after being thrown into the dungeon. It suddenly became very problematic, because he'd apparently been surviving without being aware of it.

Another terrifying thought came to mind. "Jazz, how long have I been in here?"

"Two weeks."

"Two weeks? What the fuck? Was Fherras expecting to throw my carcass over the walls after I starved to death? Does he even know I'm still alive?"

"Oh, yes. And his patience is running out." Jazz hesitated again for a few moments. "Edmund has been here. He's very worried about you."

"Have you spoken to him? What exactly is your status?"

"Oh, I'm a prisoner, too. We all are, except we're being held in rooms."

"Why? Don't get ne wrong, I'm glad you're not keeping me company in this shithole, but we came in together, so I thought Fherras would immediately throw you in the enemies category."

"Oh, he would have." Jazz shifted his weight from one foot to the other, sinking his hands deep into his pockets. "I haven't been exactly honest with you. Which is why I was a little upset when you outed yourself."

Cage narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"

"I could've invoked political privilege over you and kept you hidden. Though, without the veil, someone would've surely recognized you and ratted you out to the king."

Cage faltered for a moment, staring at Jazz. A lot of details that had bothered him about the captain suddenly came together, and he realized what had been the source in the first place. Jazz was much too good at swordsmanship, at planning and sailing. And when he'd asked, Jazz had been very evasive.

"Am I about to learn that you're a lost Talian Prince?"

Jazz grinned. "I always liked how intelligent you are. I'm not a prince because Talia doesn't have royalty. But my father is the governor of Napoletta."

Yes, of course. Except the son of the governor was not supposed to be a smuggler.

"Are you still the heir, though?"

Jazz huffed, a half smile lifting the corner of his lips. "Of course not. There's a reward on my head back home. But your king doesn't know that. He cut off all ties to the outside kingdoms after all, didn't he?"

"Come to think about it, you coming out with this would have been a lot more intelligent."

"I would've mentioned this sooner if I thought you'd turn all noble and self-sacrificing." He hummed. "But then again, that makes you worthy of being king."

Cage drew air through his teeth. "Don't say those words within these walls. Heir of Napoletta or not, they will get you killed."

"I'm going to get killed anyway. How long do you think it would take my father to answer Fherras and demand my release to them? I'm not better off than you, honestly."

"You have magic, too."

The answer made Jazz smile. "I don't think you're supposed to say those words within these walls either."

Any potential answer Cage had died on his lips once the sound of footsteps reverberated off the walls. Jazz drew back, his hand moving to his waist, but he had no sword there. Cage clenched his fingers around the bars, but relaxed once he noticed it was Malcom coming towards them.

"Your Highness." He tapped his heels together shortly. "The king wishes to see you."

"Was about damn time," Cage muttered.

"I don't like this," Jazz said. His gaze moved to Malcom, and he winced. "Seriously?"

Cage then noticed the heavy cuffs his commander was holding.

"I don't like this either," Malcom mumbled, "but it's the king's orders. He expects you to be nearly dead." The last words were said on a pleading tone, and Cage understood who'd made sure he didn't starve.

"I'm sorry he'll be disappointed," he said, reaching out his wrists.

This was more humiliating than anything, because he knew the cuffs weren't iron but steel. They wouldn't suppress his magic so they were merely for décor. Fherras didn't know that, so it compensated for the annoyance.

Malcom unlocked the gate and cuffed him before turning to Jazz. "You shouldn't be here."

Jazz's eyes flashed white, and Malcom flinched. When his eyes returned to their usual black, Jazz grinned.

"Oh, there's no way I'm missing this."

Malcom didn't comment, obviously uncomfortable with magic, and he started town the hall. Cage followed, ordering his numb limbs to move. It hurt a little, but more like the muted pain he felt when Kat got injured. The thought of her hurt more than the actual physical pain, but he pushed it back. Now was not the time to dwell on her.

"Cage," Jazz whispered from behind, sounding a bit nervous. "What are you going to do?"

"What did you see me do?" he retorted.

"I didn't see you do anything. I told you there's a knot there. Your decision will shape fate."

Cage had nothing to say to that. The images of the looming war still haunted him, but he hadn't gotten to the part where he decided what he was going to do about it. He hadn't even decided if he'd let Fherras execute him or not.

"Kale," Jazz hissed. "Don't do anything stupid. I'm talking about the fate of two kingdoms."

Cage glanced at him over his shoulder. "Two kingdoms?"

Jazz didn't say anything, but Cage understood. His friend had hope that he'd reach an understanding with Kat, that the war wouldn't take place at all. That was true. It was something only he could achieve. But he still had no idea how to convince Fherras to let him try.

They exited the dungeon and strode down the very familiar halls of the Grand Palace with their tapestries and shining wooden panels. The closer they got to the throne room, guards appeared, keeping watch over their sad procession.

Cage kept his gaze in front, his mind whirling, trying to come up with a strategy that would allow him to fix this. He wished he were back in his cell and had more time. All he'd done there was hallucinate over what would happen if he did nothing. The further into the palace he walked, the more he realized that he couldn't turn his back on these people. Some were his. They watched him with sorrow or hope. They were worth it.

The large mahogany door came into view, and much too soon, they were entering the throne room. It was long and decorated with gold and precious stones. The walls were filled with portraits now covered by black cloth. Decorative weapons filled the space between portraits. In the back of the room, Fherras sat tall on his golden throne. Right above his head, in a twist of heavy irony, Cage could recognize his father's long sword with its iron blade and ruby-encrusted pommel, now nothing more than a displayed relic.

The queen's throne was placed on step lower, and next to it was Ferdinand's throne. It was still empty, and the thought of it reignited the pain and rage inside Cage. Edmund sat on a much smaller chair at the foot of their mother's. He looked paler and more frail than ever. His mother's dark eyes were filled with tears.

Fheras himself sneered at him as he approached, his beady eyes filled with hatred. There was something off about him, something Cage couldn't identify, but had his skin crawling.

"Well, well," the king said. "Look who suddenly decided to return from the dead."

✨️✨️✨️

The Steward was the fattest man Kat had ever seen in her life.

His stringy blond hair looked like the roof of a thatched hut, and his pale eyes were watery in the folds of fat on his cheeks. She was unpleasantly reminded of Erin, the town gossip.

The man shifted in his throne as Keith led Kat and Leila towards him, and she was sure he wanted to stand but was too fat to manage it.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. His voice was comically high. "Captain, I ordered you to detain these frauds and put an end to the meaningless rumors."

"Apologies, Steward," Keith said, his tone clipped. "But I came to find the rumors are not unfounded."

A sheen of sweat covered the Steward's forehead, and all Kat could think about was how disgusting this man was. His people starved, and he looked like a wheelbarrow filled with lard. It ignited the flames inside her, the magic in her veins.

"How dare you?" she said, her voice low. "How dare you stuff yourself like a pig when your people... our people... my people are starving?"

The man shifted in his seat again, as if he wanted to pull further back. "Who are you to demand these answers?"

Throughout her journey, Kat had refused to acknowledge her role. She'd believed Lucille and Leila, but that didn't mean that she had any place leading a country she knew very little about. But as she stared at the man before her, she realized that neither did he.

He is not fit to sit on that throne.

On her grandfather's throne.

Your throne.

"Step away from my throne," she said, keeping her voice even.

Leila gave a delighted squeal. Keith straightened next to her. The Steward just stared, obviously frightened by her mere presence. And yet, he forced a laugh.

"Your throne, Iridian girl? Oh yes, I know who you are."

Kat wasn't surprised, nor did she care. "Then you must know you're in my seat."

The Steward huffed. "Please. What does a lowly peasant girl from Iride know about running Endir?"

"How dare you?" Leila hissed.

Kat didn't care about the insult because it was true. "More than you, apparently. I know locking myself in a castle and hoarding riches won't help my people. I know they need hope and guidance, not fear and oppression. I've learned from the best Iride has to offer about what a kingdom needs." She lifted her hand and sent swirls of ice flying in a circular dance. "So get out of my seat."

For a moment, Kat was sure the Steward would put up a fight. But the moment his eyes moved to Keith and found no support there, the pig chose to scurry away with an appropriate squeal. Kat watched him exit through a door to her left and knew it wasn't over. He was a general and had many people by his side. He'd come back. But at that time, he was more afraid for his life than losing the throne.

A throne which now stood empty. Kat's heart tightened as she glanced at it. Everything had made sense until now. But from here on out, it wasn't as clear.

A gasp from Keith drew her attention to him, but he was looking past her, towards Leila, his eyes wide and his hands covering his mouth. Kat turned to her friend as well and jumped back. Leila wasn't there anymore. Lucille took her place, her magical aura lightening the room.

"Wha--?"

"Now that you are here, what is your decision, my child?" she asked.

"I..." Kat glanced past her shoulder, trying to see where Leila had gone, but she was nowhere in sight. "I don't know what to do."

"Don't look into your mind. Look into your heart. You know this is your destiny. To give your people what they deserve."

"But there is so much to ruling a kingdom, and I know only so much in general, not to mention my ignorance about Endir..."

"I told you I would help you with this."

Panic settled in the pit of Kat's stomach as she realized what she was about to do, what they were discussing. This was about her leaving her old life behind and becoming the queen of a kingdom she'd been taught to fear. She'd left more than just Cage back in Iride.

Papa, Keleigh.

And yet their memory had all but faded. Cage was still a painful thorn in her heart, as much as she tried not to think about him, but everything else was like a long-forgotten dream. A beautiful dream that had ended.

"Oh, I see..." Lucille placed her hand on Kat's cheek. "I can help you with that, too, my child."

Tears slid down Kat's face. "Can you make it go away? Can you make it stop feeling like I'm going to suffocate without him?"

"Yes, of course. But you'll have to seize your destiny."

"I'm scared."

"It's only natural to be frightened. But I will be with you every step of the way." Her features morphed into younger, very familiar ones. "Just like I've always been."

Kat stared, unable to believe her eyes. "Leila?"

The fairy morphed back into her ethereal version and gave her a kind smile. "You can do this."

And the moment she said it, Kat knew it was true. Her fear and her doubt seemed to vanish, and all that mattered was the sound of Lucille's voice, the kindness in it. She wanted this. To seize her destiny and leave the pain behind.

"Yes, I want to do this."

"Good." Lucille reached out and pressed her index finger against Kat's forehead.

Her touch was cold, and the freezing sensation spread out through her, paralyzing her mind and her heart. The pain inside her began to fade, and endless streams of information assaulted her.

"Now bow down before your queen," Lucille ordered.

Keith complied and bent the knee, lowering his head.

Kat watched him from the height of her throne, no longer a slave to her feelings. She now knew exactly what she had to do to give her people what they deserved.

Iride had to fall.

✨️✨️✨️

The hatred in Fherras' eyes was something Cage had expected. So was the pain and defeat in his mother's and the concern on Edmund's face. However, he was a little shocked by how much they annoyed him. Useless emotions from people who had never made a right decision in their lives.

"Your Majesty," he said, giving him a light nod.

Fherras sneered. "I'm surprised you've decided to show your face."

You're more surprised I'm not dead, you asshole. But he kept silent, trying to be more productive than throwing insults at a king who already hated him.

"I come with bad news," he said instead.

"Oh? Worse than the news I have for you?" Fherras leaned forward in his seat. His limbs looked so spindly, Cage half-expected him to break. "Because you do know deserters get hanged, don't you, Admiral?"

His mother took in a sharp breath while Edmund whispered, "Father, please!"

"Silence," Fherras spat out. "So tell me, is your news worse than mine?"

"Why yes, it is." It was hard to keep the anger in, but he did his best. Jazz was right. Getting executed wouldn't help the kingdom. He took in a deep breath as he prepared for the news he'd dreaded to deliver. "Ferdinand is dead. He was murdered by Wolfbane."

There was a sharp intake of breath in the entire room. Cage kept his gaze on the king, but he could feel the burning eyes of everyone in the room upon himself. His mother burst into hysterical tears while Edmund just stared. Fherras himself seemed lost for words at the news that the heir to his throne had perished. Then, his eyes narrowed.

"You lie!"

"Why would I lie? This is why I'm here. To let you know."

"Oh, you lie. It's some twisted game of yours to get your hands on the throne."

His words had the magic in Cage's veins burn to the surface, and a tiny tendril of lightning slithered around his fist. He pushed it back, hoping no one had noticed.

"I don't need to get my hands on the throne, and you know that better than anyone," he said between his teeth.

Ferrah looked ready to explode with rage. "You have no right to anything, you bastard." He glared at everyone in the room and waved his hand in a dismissive manner. The sound of footsteps rang in the cavernous room as most of the courtiers made their way out.

It was a wise move. No one needed to know what would be said next. Some of the guards were still in the room, though, including Malcom, and he had counted on it. He would need support for what came next.

"I don't care about the throne, I never have. I wanted Fer on there even more than you did."

"No, he can't be dead," Edmund said, his voice raising above the desperate cries of his mother. "You promised! Kale, you promised you'd bring him home!"

The words of his baby brother broke Cage's heart and ignited the shame and guilt inside him. His shoulders slumped, and for a moment, the exhaustion overcame him.

"I'm sorry, Ed. I did my best, but it wasn't good enough."

"What is the meaning of this?" Fherras demanded. "Edmund, did you have anything to do with this?"

"No, he didn't," Cage snapped. "I set out after Ferdinand because your army is too busy getting drunk in Yarik to do their damn jobs. But I couldn't save him. Wolfbane had mutilated him even before I got there. I..." He turned to Edmund again. The prince had tears in his eyes. "I avenged him the best I could. Wolfbane is dead."

Silence greeted his words. Cage felt exhausted saying that out loud. He could still feel the taste of blood on his tongue, remember the screaming and the carnage. He'd lost control. He never wanted that to happen again. As if to remind him what was important, the frozen field flashed before his eyes again, burning bodies included. He shook his head, trying to drive it back.

"You need to call your men back from the search, Your Majesty," he said, his voice even. "I have more bad news. The heir of Endir has been found, and she will wage war on Iride. We must gather our armies and plan a defense of the borders."

His words were once again greeted with silence as everyone in the room seemed to process the news. The king blinked and shook his head, as if trying to make it all disappear.

"Are you insane?" Fherras let out a forced laugh. "I don't believe any of this. Ferdinand dead. The heir of Endir. A woman waging war on us? You are obviously here to stir trouble."

Cage clenched his jaw so tight, it hurt. The king's reaction wasn't completely unexpected, but it was still enraging.

"We don't have time for you not to believe me. Endir has magic again. Unless we start planning a strategy right away, their army will tear through ours just like it did last time."

"Nonsense! We won the war, and our victory was glorious!"

Cage stomped his foot. "Don't try to bullshit me! I'm not one of your subjects who you can brainwash. I know what really happened! I know we could push back on Endir only after they lost their magic. We need to take action now! We already lost enough time while you were trying to starve me to death in your dungeon."

Fherras let out a laugh. "I think you are forgetting the most important part. You are sentenced to death."

That was actually the least important part. What mattered was that the king didn't believe him and refused to do anything.

"You're not going to gather your armies, are you?"

Fherras huffed. "Based on your lies? Of course not!"

"Your Majesty," Edmund said, his voice pleading. "What if there is some truth in this?"

"Silence! I will deal with you later, my son."

Edmund shuddered, and Cage had had enough. It didn't help that at that very moment, the vision of the battlefield invaded his mind, more clear than ever. Just as he'd feared, this time, he could identify faces.

Jazz, Jinx, and Trix. Edmund and his mother, their eyes wide and lifeless, in a pile with other nameless people, the flames raising into the night.

He wouldn't lose everyone he loved. He knew what had to be done, and Fherras wouldn't stand in his way. As much as he'd avoided it, he finally understood what Jazz and Cecile meant. Fate was cruel. He could at least try to cushion its blow.

Cage took a step forward, drawing his shoulders back. "If you're not going to do anything about it, I will. I've let you rule for the past thirty years, watched you throw this kingdom into ignorance. No more."

"Kale, what are you doing?"

His mother's plea only fanned the anger inside him. This weak woman still wanted to keep up appearance, the peace, even with her son dead and her youngest terrorized by the asshole she'd chosen to marry days after her husband died.

"I claim my heritage," he said.

The color drained from Fherras' face. "Your what?"

"Oh, you know what." He strode to the nearest draped portrait and pulled the black cloth off it. An image of his grandfather became visible. Then he moved on to the next, which was his great grandfather.

"Guards, detain him!" the false king yelled.

The guards moved a few feet but stopped, as Cage continued revealing the portraits. They all had something in common. Black hair and dark blue eyes, light skin, and features that neither Fherras nor Edmund exhibited.

"There's a reason he had these covered. A reason history was rewritten." And as he glared at the king, he realized what felt off about him. "And a reason everyone was so quick to forget the truth. You're using magic."

There was a murmur among those left in the room. Fherras was white as a sheet now, her fingers curling and uncurling around the arms of his throne.

"How dare you?"

"Magic recognizes magic, Fherras." Cage lifted his cuffed hands and broke the chain between them. "If you're not going to do anything to save this kingdom, I will. Get off my throne."

"Madness! This is madness! Guards! Execute him now!"

But no one moved as all eyes seemed to move from the portraits of previous kings to the only person in that room who looked like them.

"I'm not going to say it again," Cage growled. "We can end this in a peaceful manner."

"Kale..." His mother couldn't produce a coherent sentence.

"Father, please," Edmund said. "We must do what is right for the kingdom!"

Fherras stood from the throne, but not to move out of the way. Instead, he drew his sword. "You will not have your way, you bastard. This kingdom is mine!" He threw a disgusted glance towards his guards. "And if you will not protect it, I will." And he charged forward.

The kingdom was doomed. Cage raised his hand. In a flash, his father's long sword flew off the wall and into his hands. He held it up and let Fherras impale himself upon it.

His brown eyes widened in surprise, and blood trickled out of his mouth. Cage lowered the sword, and the body slid off it. It slumped to the floor with a pathetic thud. The crown clattered off the head of the dead king and into a pool of blood.

The queen screamed and fainted in her seat. The rest of the room stayed deadly quiet as Cage watched the crown at his feet. Flames and frost still fluttered at the edge of his vision. Once he picked up the crown and placed it on his head, the images faded.

Nothing had ever felt so heavy.

But it appeared that the only way to save his kingdom was to put on a crown of blood.

TO BE CONTINUED

And here you have it! The final chapter. I hope the ending made up for the dwindling pace in the beginning and that everything came together in a satisfying way! I enjoyed writing this part and pushing both Kat and Cage into their roles. I also enjoyed the parallel of them both having to do the same thing at almost the same time.

Of course, war is now upon the kingdoms. And the fairies are getting involved in the conflict.

There will be an author note chapter at some point, but I just wanted to put this out there and complete the story. More details about what's next to come!

Thanks so much for sticking with me for this story. Any overall thoughts on it are greatly appreciated.