"Finally, we can actually spend some real time together- without being in the middle of a war, huh, Foster?" Keefe said, twirling a strand of Sophie's hair around his paint-smudged fingers, his eyes locked on hers with that signature Keefe smirk softened by something gentler.

The ocean stretched out behind them, turquoise and glassy, catching the fading light of a sunset that looked like it had been painted just for them. With the warm breeze, the scent of salt and wildflowers, and Keefe right beside her, everything felt right. Like maybe- just maybe- they had finally reached the happily ever after.

Sophie smiled, her heart full. "Yeah. I agree."

And as she laid her head on Keefe's shoulder, watching the sun dip behind the horizon, she thought, Everything is finally perfect.

xxx

After the final fall of the Neverseen, peace settled over the Lost Cities like a long-overdue sigh of relief. Sophie and her friends- no longer rebels or fugitives, just teenagers- began figuring out how to live again.

Though they drifted into smaller groups, they always found time to gather as one big, chaotic, loveable gang at Foxfire. And for once, it wasn't about strategy or missions- it was about lunch tables, inside jokes, and who had the best taste in dessert.

Grady and Edaline, after some gentle nudging, convinced Sophie to take time off from school and just... breathe. She spent her days in the pastures, helping care for the animals, soaking in the quiet. That is- when Keefe wasn't dropping by. Which, frankly, was often.

Eventually, Keefe even charmed his way into Grady's good graces (something Sophie had privately believed impossible). From then on, he was welcomed at Havenfield anytime, which he took full advantage of, naturally.

Over in Everglen, Dex and Biana had become practically inseparable. Dex whipped up custom gadgets- lip gloss that changed color with mood, foundation that shimmered like starlight- and Biana returned the favor with fashion advice and full-scale makeovers. Alden and Della treated Dex like one of their own, and even though no one had said anything officially, nobody objected when people referred to them as a couple. Not even Dex.

Tam and Rayni, to everyone's surprise (including their own), became the ultimate besties. Combining shadow and light, they created illusions so convincing even Elwin once walked into a wall. Their chaos was unmatched- and weirdly wholesome.

Wylie and Linh had dated for a while, but eventually went their separate ways- gracefully, amicably, and with zero drama. (More on that another time.)

In the meantime, Linh found new companionship with Stina, Maruca, and Marella. Together, the four formed a tight-knit coven they proudly called The Elementals. With fire, water, empathy, and psionipathy in the mix, their group was as intense as it was unstoppable. (What exactly psionipathy contributes to the "elements" is unclear. Ask them. They'll have answers. Probably.)

But not everything was perfectly paired.

Fitz was the last one standing- drifting a little, watching from the sidelines. He was still Fitz. Still loyal. Still kind. Still finding his way in a world that had changed faster than he had expected.

And who knows? Maybe his story was only just beginning.