4: Darken War

Epilogue: Alexander

Epilogue: Alexander

Our wedding had gone off without a hitch.

Of course, Alexandria couldn't let it be a simple affair—no, she had to make it grand. A royal event, broadcast to every corner of every realm she ruled. Gold banners bearing our family crest had flown high, fireworks had painted the sky, and she even managed to sneak in a speech that made half the guests cry and the other half stand and cheer.

But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. That was Alexandria—larger than life. And truthfully, it meant the world that she had gone to such lengths. That she was happy for me, for us. That after everything—centuries of war, loss, and distance—I finally had her back, not just as my sister... but as my other half.

Six months had passed since that day.

Alana and I now lived between two places: my newly rebuilt palace in Drakaria and her ancestral home here in Ignisfatia. Thankfully, one of the gifts hold is the ability to make portals.... somthing our brother Alec left me—not nearly as vast or powerful as Alexandria's, but enough to step from one palace to the other with a thought. It made life immeasurably easier.

This morning, the air in Ignisfatia felt lighter somehow. Brighter.

The doctor had just left the royal chambers, smiling politely as he closed the door behind him.

"Congratulations," he said, bowing his head before he walked away.

The words didn't fully register until I turned and saw the look on his face—calm, pleased, expectant.

I froze for a second.

Then the meaning hit me.

My heart felt like it skipped a beat. I was across the hall and pushing open the bedroom doors before the sound of the doctor's boots had faded down the corridor.

Alana was half-dressed, fastening the last buttons on her silk robe. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, her blue eyes wide with amusement as I rushed in and scooped her up into my arms without a word.

"Alexander!" she laughed, the sound lighting up the room.

I kissed her—fiercely, deeply, with every ounce of love I had in me.

"Careful now," she murmured against my lips. "The doctor says I'm to take it easy. First pregnancy and all that. Not that it's that big of a deal. I mean, the child won't inherit the throne..."

I pulled back just enough to meet her gaze.

"What are you talking about?" I said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It is a big deal. You are a big deal. They—our child—are a miracle. I don't care if they ever wear a crown. They're ours. And that's enough."

Her expression softened, her hands rising to frame my face. The joy in her eyes made my chest ache in the best way.

"You're right," she whispered. "For once. I love you."

"Hey now," I smirked. "I'm right more often than that."

"Sure you are, dear," she said sweetly, patting my cheek in mock sympathy as I set her gently back on her feet.

I crossed my arms, feigning offense. "Why did I marry someone as rude as James?"

She leaned in with a grin. "I guess you Darkens just have terrible taste in spouses."

I narrowed my eyes. "You got that wrong."

"Oh?" She blinked innocently.

"I feel very lucky right now," I said, pulling her close again, feeling the swell of her stomach between us—the tiny life already changing everything. I kissed her one more time, slow and lingering.

She let out a breath and leaned into me. "Let's go tell that sister of yours before she decides she already knows."

"She probably does know," I muttered as she walked out of the room ahead of me.

Still, I lingered behind.

My hand reached for the nightstand, fingers curling around the violet gem that rested there—the one Alexandria had returned to me. The one that had once bound her. The one that had held the memories of lifetimes.

I turned it over in my hand.

So much had changed.

Not just kingdoms or alliances or titles.

Me.

For the first time in more lives than I could count, I felt whole. Not just because my memories had returned. Not just because I had my sister back. Not even because I had a kingdom to call my own.

But because I had a home.

A family.

A future.

I looked toward the door where Alana had gone, smiling to myself.

And for once, I wasn't afraid of what came next.

I was grateful.

Truly, overwhelmingly grateful—just to be alive... and in my own skin.