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Aedion had been quiet while Rowan had worked--quiet enough that Rowan had begun telling him the stories Story after story about the Lion The adventures they’d shared, the lands they’d seen, the wars they’d waged Aedion hadn’t spoken while Rowan had talked and worked, the scent of his grief conveying enough

It was a scent that would likely linger for h "Will you let me cry in bed for the rest of today like a pathetic woret to work on rebuilding toh hi as a strea you cakes and chocolate so your ing can be complete?"

"If you can find any"

"You destroyed the Wyrdkeys and slew Maeve I think I can e to find you soroup effort It ht also require one to acquire cakes and chocolate"

Rowan laughed, and kissed the top of her head And for a long moment, he just marveled that he could do it Could stand with her here, in this kingdom, this city, this castle, where they would make their home

He could see it now: the halls restored to their splendor, the plain and river sparkling beyond, the Staghorns beckoning He could hear the hter of the children in the streets In these halls In their royal suite

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, peering up at his face

Rowan brushed a kiss to her et to be here With you"

"There’s lots of work to be done So will ever be that bad"

She snorted "True"

He tucked her in closer "I arateful I am That we made it That I found you And how, even with all that work to be done, I will not mind a moment of it because you are withto have a terrible headache frohed, and kissed her again "Very queenly"

She hurace"

He chuckled against her et that"

"Oh yes," she said, winding her arreater than any force a god or Wyrdkey could suh to rest his brow against hers "Let’s get you to your cha"

She shook with laughter "I rowl, and nipped at her ear, her neck "Good I do, too"

"And tomorrow?" she asked breathlessly, and they both paused to look at each other To sdom, this world, with me tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, and every day after that" For every day of the thousand blessed years they were granted together And beyond

Aelin kissed hi him into the castle Into their home "To whatever end?" she breathed

Rowan followed her, as he had his entire life, long before they had ever met, before their souls had sparked into existence "To whatever end, Fireheart" He glanced sidelong at her "Can I give you a suggestion for e should rebuild first?"

Aelin slorious and lovely "Tell ave way to soft spring

Throughout the endless, snowyOrynth, on all those trade agreedoms no one had contacted in a hundred years The lost Fae of Terrasen had returned, many of the wolf-riders with theside the several dozen Fae from Doranelle who had opted to stay, even when Endymion and Sellene had returned to their lands

All across the continent, Aelin could have sworn the ringing of ha once more