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“There is nothing to fear if your heart is pure,” Fen said in a jovial tone. “Who wants to sample some fae wine?”
The party got a bit wild after that. Rain produced a strange flute and played a tune so haunting that squirrels and raccoons came up on the porch and scratched to get inside. That amused the shit out of Eli because he truly had fallen in love with a woman who was like a damn Disney princess. Susan must be so pissed after putting her perfect house up for sale and all. But her petty disfavor didn’t matter, not when he had everything right here. Happiness to infinity and beyond.
During a quiet moment, Iris slipped away, towing Eli to the kitchen for a private word. “I’m so sorry about the weirdness and the cursed kisses. Rain and Fen can be so extra. I’ll see what I can—”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll take that double-edged sword because I’ll never hurt you. I don’t know what life has in store for us, but with you at the center of my world, I know it’ll be beautiful. Magical, even. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“Me either,” she said in a tender tone. “You’reeverything. Thank you for finding me.”
“Thank you for waiting. Somebody else might’ve swept you off your feet while I was getting my courage up.”
She shook her head. “Never. We’re meant to be, you and I.”
“Along with everyone we met, the family we found here.”
“Violet Gables is pretty great,” she said, smiling.
Eli followed her back to the party because he’d meant it when he said she was the center of his life. While he might fly off in different directions, she was the heart of him, a glorious fae queen who ruled all she surveyed with a lovely, chaotic flair.
Iris, don’t worry about your last name anymore. One day, you can have mine if you want it. Or anything else your heart desires.
Together, here or in the Otherworld, they’d make everyone’s dreams come true.
EPILOGUE
CHRISTMAS
Violet gables was full tothe brim.
When Iris had set out to have a holiday party and invited everyone, she hadn’t imagined that they would all come. But the old Victorian house was full of candles and pine boughs and visitors in every room. Ethel’s whole coven was here along with the usual residents of the house, plus Liz, who had made the move to St. Claire just a week ago.
Hazel was here—without her cat—and Sally had agreed that Howard could come as Hazel’s date. Really, Howard and Sally were learning how to be friends who had divorced instead of a former couple who disliked each other. Bruce and Mitch came because Sally was here, and Kim would be stopping by later with Megan. Iris made the rounds, chatting with small groups of people, unable to believe this was her life.
Eli kept a watchful eye on Iris from across the room, ever attentive in case she needed to be extricated from an awkward conversation. But he never pushed. And she loved that about him.
Eli’s grandmother was drinking with Rain and Fen, and someone rapped on the door as Iris was about to make a toast.When she answered, she found Olive on the front porch with a suitcase and a bag of presents. Iris’s mortal dad waited in her shadow, none too sure of his welcome, but the fact that he’d shown up meant everything. Iris let out a little scream and hugged them both. It was dark, and a light snow had just started, bespangling the trees in winter white. The outside of her house was still covered in violets, and they didn’t die, regardless of what the weather was like. In the distance, she heard carolers.
She urged Olive inside with one hand, grabbing Dad with the other. He went in uncertainly, and his eyes widened when he saw the crowd. “I didn’t realize you already knew so many people. You’re so happy, flower. It does my heart good seeing you like this. Have you…talked to your mother?”
“We email sometimes. We’re both processing.”
“That’s good.” He wandered off in search of snacks and drinks, leaving Iris with Olive.
“You said you might bring someone.”
“It…didn’t work out,” Olive said in a careful tone. “Let’s not talk about me. It seems like everything’s come up Iris?”
“Finally feels that way, yeah. Let me introduce you to everyone!”
Since there were so many guests, it took quite a while for Iris to make the full circuit with her sister in tow. She ended her jaunt with Rain and Fen, who were chatting with Eli. “These are my fae folks. And this is my boyfriend, Eli Reese.”
“I’ve heard of you,” Olive said. “You’re the app mogul, right?”
Iris groaned and covered her face with her hands. “Am I the only one who hadn’t seen news about him online? I still feel like such a—”
Eli pressed a quick kiss to her mouth, likely to stop her from saying something derogatory about herself. It was cute when he did that. “Let’s not think about that tonight.”
“Fair enough,” Olive said.
