Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Epilogue

Two years later.

Ivy's POV

"Good morning, Your Majesty!"

I smile at the line of children making their way into a classroom. The halls of the Hallowed Coven are full of bustling students chatting to friends, Elders ushing children into classrooms and the buzz of magic.

What once was silent is now brimming with noise, the sounds of laughter trickling out of various rooms. It's now rare to ever get a moment of silence and I spend as much time as I can making sure it never stops.

Even the decor seems brighter now, the flowers vibrant and blossoming in every corner. As you walk the halls, the place seems alive, like a dark cloud had been removed to allow the light back in.

It's been two years since Simon had been removed from the council and I'd become Queen. It's taken some getting used to, but I've managed to find my way, with the help of my mates. With each of them having specific roles in the realm, I decided I wanted to dedicate my time to managing the different covens, removing self-governing Elders and ensuring each coven took care of all of its members. For the most part, I was welcomed in but unsurprisingly, the Elders at Hallowed Coven seemed the most stubborn when it came to the change. Eventually, I managed to create a truce between them and eradicate many of their old barbaric views of running the coven.

I've spent the last two years trying to turn the coven into a place my parents would've loved to raise me in so that future children won't have the pressures they once did. In time, the Elders grew used to my changes, the younger ones in training eager to rise to the challenge. All Elders in training now teach the younger students, and there are no punishments for mistakes.

I make my way to Simon's old office, now entirely renovated as my own private sanctuary for when I spend my time here. Leo and Owen accompany me on occasion which the children love, climbing onto their laps and trying on their crowns. I never knew how great Leo could be with children, despite his grumpy exterior. Owen on the other hand acts like a child himself, creating a ruckus the Elders have to try to tame when it's time for him to leave.

I used to feel terrified walking into this room, but now as I gaze at the newly installed window overlooking the gardens and the portrait of the three of us hanging from the wall (a belated mating present from Scarlette and Isabella), I feel nothing but content.

I sit down at my desk to review the new curriculum that Willow has helped me implement across all covens. As Simon's replacement on the council (much to the rest of the council's dismay), we've worked closely to bring the covens together.

"Your majesty?" A young girl takes a small step inside the open room, curtseying.

I tut, shaking my head disapprovingly even as a smile tugs at my lips.

"For the millionth time Lily, please just call me Ivy." She grins and nods her head, although we both know she won't.

"The kings are here and waiting in the garden for you. They've asked that you join them for lunch."

"Did they ask or demand it?"

She flushes, shrugging her shoulders as she avoids my gaze.

"Let them know I'll be down in a second." Lily nods and rushes off to relay the message. I sigh, heading over to the window to watch her approach my mates. When she leaves, Owen turns and looks up at the window, meeting my gaze with a wink. I roll my eyes, gathering the papers I'd been working on to go and meet them.

People smile and bow as I pass and I make sure to acknowledge them all as I make my way outside.

"I thought you two were going to be busy all day."

"We missed you." I grin as Owen kisses my cheek, Leo pulling me onto his lap.

"We were going to see each other in a few hours for dinner."

"That is too far away." I shiver when I feel Leo's lips graze my neck, biting down playfully. I swat his arm laughing, wrapping his arms around me tighter as I lean back to stare up at the sky.

In this moment, as I listen to my mates bicker while children run across the gardens shouting gleefully, I'm truly content. This is the life that my parents would've wanted for me, and the life I can't wait to give to our future children.

As if thinking the same thing, Leo and Owen catch my eye and share a soft knowing smile. Owen throws me over his shoulder and Leo guides us back to the car and I realise we're done being royals for the day, and it's time to be just us.