VIOLENT TIDES (gxg - editing)

epilogue

The party was in its full, riotous glory when Ainsley arrived, one hand clutching the gilded banister as she carefully walked down the carpeted steps to the ballroom. The simple skirt she had allowed her handmaids to dress her in rustled around her ankles. Music made the old stone walls hum, and the sound of hundreds of dancing feet against the floor tumbled against her ears. It was almost too much.

Almost.

It couldn't quite dampen the feeling of joy that had stayed wrapped around her heart like a blanket all day. And it couldn't ease the unfamiliar weight of the heavy golden crown that rested on her hair—grown out even more in the last few weeks since she had come home. Now, even in honour of her coronation, it had been left loose and wavy, hanging choppy and not quite to her shoulders.

Ainsley paused several steps above the main floor, searching the sea of faces for one in particular.

Luca was there, smiling and raising a glass of champagne to her. There was a chorus of hearty applause and a wave of drinks raised after his, which she accepted with a smile and a wave.

Ed was fully preoccupied with a pretty nobleman, but even he gave her a cocky wave and a smirk from where he stood, swaying slightly against a backdrop of tapestries and ceremonial weapons hung against the walls.

If she searched, she would find Nathe, too, and most of the crew. Many of them, however, had already started their training as royal guards to the castle. All of the pirates had been offered legitimate work in the city, and all had accepted, though several had been unable to give up the adventure of sea life and had taken to working with Ellay's navy. Nathe himself would be overseeing the city's fastest battleships.

But none of these were the people she searched for.

Until, finally, a dark pair of eyes met her own.

Ainsley felt herself break into a wide smile, a smile that hurt her cheeks, as she hurried down the final few steps to be swept into Gael's arms.

Gael was dressed in an elaborate ball gown composed of layers and layers of glittering red fabric. Even so, she moved gracefully, lithe and beautiful under the light of the stained glass windows. Her hand found Ainsley's.

"Give me one moment," she called over the sound of the celebration. "My father will kill me if I don't let him have the first dance."

Ainsley laughed and relinquished her grip, letting Gael be swirled into Nicchols' grasp. Off to the side, Gael's mother sat in a chair, swaddled in heavy blankets but beaming, a healthy flush on her cheeks. The court's best physician stood next to her, keeping a watchful eye on his patient.

Gael returned with the sound of her skirts rustling against each other, so similar to the way the surf dragged against the sand. Ainsley met her with a smile and opened arms, which she swept into to pull Ainsley to the center of the floor. There, Ainsley let herself lean against Gael, their fingers tangling together, resting her head against her collarbone. The sound of Gael's heartbeat echoed in her ears as they swayed to the music, feet planted, content to stay where they were.

"And how has the dreaded coronation day been so far?" There was a note of humour in Gael's voice that prompted Ainsley to smile.

"Better now that you're here. Although—" Ainsley cut herself off, closing her eyes. The memories were all so fresh. Ackerley's body hung before her whenever she slept, his footsteps filled the empty corridors. Ainsley swallowed. "He was still my father. I didn't want to kill him."

Gael's hand untangled from hers, reaching up to bury itself in her hair. Her nose pressed against the top of her head.

"I know," she murmured into her hair. "I know."

A few moments passed. Ainsley kept her eyes closed, trying to memorize the feeling of Gael's hand in hers and the way her breath made her chest rise and fall.

Gael was the one who spoke again. "What now?"

Ainsley thought, head resting on her shoulder. "I'd still like to sail to the ends of the world with you."

Gael laughed. "What about your new queenly duties?"

"Oh, Luca will be here. He won't mind if we make the occasional trip. I know you could never leave behind the sea." Ainsley out a soft, slow breath. "Besides, I'll be sharing those duties before long, won't I?"

Gael's voice held a suppressed laugh. "Ainsley, don't you think you should ask my father first?"

"Oh, I haven't asked you yet, either. Not officially. I'll wait a while before I do that."

"Well, I'll be waiting."

Ainsley's chest seemed to vibrate with warmth. This was hardly the end—she had a kingdom to run, laws to dismantle, people to care for. Her dynasty would arise from the ashes of her father's, and it would take work. But for now, she was happy. Happy to be in Gael's arms, swaying to the music. If she closed her eyes and let herself drift away, she could imagine they were on the Finch, rocked by the tide, surrounded by the smell of saltwater and the sound of the boat creaking around them.

here it is! the final chapter in this story that has taken up so much space in my head for the longest time. thank you all so, so much for taking this journey with me! each and every one of my readers means the world to me—thank you for your votes and comments. the support i've received is honestly crazy to me, and probably the only thing that kept me going. i hope their story means as much to you as it does to me!

don't go yet, though! the next chapter will be a few final notes, as well as an announcement or two. thank you all for brightening my life <3