Page 124 of The Arcane God

“Well, at least we have some time before we have to figure that one out, so thank you for warning us, I guess,” Ty said as he rubbed his eyes in exasperation.

“I can’t wait to tell Xena,” Turner said, laughing to himself. “She and the rest of the stryx will freak.”

“Why don’t you go get her?” Lara asked. “It’s late, but aren’t the stryx nocturnal anyway?”

“For the most part,” Turner said, standing up and readying himself. “Okay, I will. I’m sure she’ll want to meet you and Steig, officially.”

Ena absently wondered if she should fetch the witches too. Greya, Thyla, and Cris might want to meet Lara, and maybe Perse could play some music for them.

As wild as this revelation about Ladon was, she knew she could handle it. And like Ty said, they had time. Right now, she wanted nothing more in the world than to celebrate this new era with her friends, her family.

Because for the first time ever, everyone she loved was in the same place. And though she had lost much to be here—shed an entire life and identity, really—she’d never felt more herself or more hopeful about their future.

And that, too, was something to celebrate.

Epilogue

Ena

Twenty-seven years later…

Ena walked into the Great Antre, her footsteps echoing across the aged stone. Daemons passed by her, greeting her politely as she entered, but she only had eyes for one.

Ty sat upon the golden throne, his chin resting on his fist, and Ena didn’t even need her Knowing to tell how he was feeling—he looked incredibly grumpy. He was surrounded by daemons at the Convening table, and while the discussions seemed even-tempered, her husband seemed displeased.

But then he looked up, caught sight of her, and his eyes lit up.

“Let’s reconvene at another time,” he said to the daemons around him. “I need to speak to my wife for a minute.”

The daemons politely nodded their understanding and stood, making their way out of the chamber as they nodded and smiled at Ena on the way out.

One of them—Lara—stopped to whisper in her ear on the way out. “Good luck with that one today,” she said, nodding towards Ty. “He’s in a mood. Almost as bad as Steig,” she added, smiling teasingly. “Glad to have you home.”

“Glad to be home,” Ena agreed, wrapping her arm around her friend’s shoulder and giving her a squeeze.

Releasing her, she made her way over to the king.

“My love,” Ena said, a small smile on her lips. As soon as she approached, Ty reached out to grab her face, pulling her in for a kiss. He tasted the same as he always did—stone, cedar, woodsmoke, and honey. Like home, and safety, and she relished the feel of his lips against hers.

“Fuck, I missed you,” he said against her lips. “You were gone too long.”

She pulled back to study him, stroking her hand down his beard lovingly. It was streaked with gray now, giving him an air of maturity he’d never had before, and she not-so-secretly loved it.

“I know. I missed you too,” she said, standing before him and holding his hand. “But it was a successful visit with Greya. You know we’ve been working on Imbuing a few objects with witches’ Gifts to create useful combinations, and I think we figured out how to Imbue glacio directly into a clay jar. It kept milk cold for days!” Ena explained excitedly.

Ty smiled warmly at her. “That is quite impressive, viper,” he said.

“Thank you,” Ena said, warmed by his praise. She loved working with Greya too. Her sister had really grown into her role as matriarch, and despite her hidden stryx heritage—which she intended to avoid awakening at all costs—she was a powerful witch. Together, they were quite the team.

“But what’s going on with you? Lara hinted that something was up,” Ena asked, concerned about what it could be.

“Well, first of all, there was another mine collapse,” Ty said, his frustration evident. “It’s been great that our metal goods are in such demand with mortals, but we’re having trouble expanding the ways we want to.” He sighed. “I’ll figure it out, though. Just gotta sit down with Dev and look at the maps again.”

“Is that it?” Ena asked, knowing that his agitation over Underworld matters was usually second to…other concerns.

“No,” Ty said, looking at her with purpose. “That’s not it. It’s also your son.”

“My son?” she said, not missing the tone, but smiling slightly at the teasing. “What about him?”