Page 92 of Crowned

“Malia,” he says, his voice soft but filled with conviction. “You’ve brought so much light into my life. Even in the darkest moments, you’ve been my hope, my anchor. You’ve made me believe in a future worth fighting for. And I want you to know, I will always fight for you. For us. For the family we’re building together.”

He pauses, his smile growing softer. “You’re not just my queen, Malia. You’re my heart. My home. And I will spend every day of my life making sure you know how much you mean to me.”

I can’t hold back the tears anymore as I pull him into a gentle hug, careful not to hurt him. “Cove, you’ve given me more love than I ever thought I deserved. Thank you for being you.”

As I pull back, I look at the four of them, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “You’ve all given me so much. Your love, your strength, your trust. I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I promise you this – I will love you, fight for you, and stand with you for the rest of my life. You’re my family. My everything.”

We stand together on the balcony, the stars above us and the kingdom below. The air is quiet, peaceful, as if the universe itself is holding its breath, watching this moment unfold.

I place my hand over my stomach, feeling the faint movements of the triplets within me. “This is just the beginning,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else. “Together, we’re going to build something beautiful.”

Vance steps closer, his hand resting over mine. “We already have,” he says softly.

As the stars shine above and the sounds of Aerwyna’s recovery drift up to us, I know one thing for certain: the worst is behind us, and the future is bright. Together, we will make it brighter still.

Aerwyna is now thriving.

The kingdom that once lay in ruins is alive again. The streets, once silent and shattered, now hum with life. Children’s laughter echoes through the market squares, merchants call out their wares, and the air carries the scent of fresh bread, blooming flowers, and the faint tang of salt from the sea.

I stand on the balcony of the restored palace, gazing out over the kingdom. The golden glow of the sunrise washes over Aerwyna, painting the buildings and cobblestone streets in warm hues. The land is healing, and so are its people. The scars of war will never fully fade, but in their place, resilience and unity have taken root.

The gardens below are in full bloom, the vibrant colours of jasmine, wild mint, and honeysuckle blending together in a fragrant symphony. The palace itself, once battered and broken, stands proud again, its polished stone and intricate carvings a testament to the strength of those who rebuilt it.

Behind me, the sound of tiny, giggling footsteps draws my attention. I turn just in time to see three small figures race into the garden, their bright laughter filling the air. My daughters. Swiftly followed by their Aunty Summer. She loves those girls more than life itself and we wouldn’t be without her.

Rhea, the eldest by just a few minutes, is already leading the way, her dark curls bouncing as she runs ahead, her little fists clutching a wooden sword. She’s bold and fearless, her spirit so fierce it takes my breath away sometimes. Even now, she’s pretending to defend the palace, her determined cries of “For Aerwyna!” making me laugh softly.

Lyra follows close behind, her quieter nature evident even now. Her movements are graceful, her wide, observant eyes taking in everything around her. She stops to look at a flower growing in one of the pots, examining it carefully before picking it and tucking it into her curls. Lyra may not speak as loudly as Rhea, but her presence is just as powerful – like a steady, grounding force.

And then there’s Artemis, my youngest, her wild energy as untamed as the goddess she’s named after. She’s chasing after a butterfly now, her silvery laughter carrying up to me. Artemis is always a kind of joy I never thought I’d experience.

They are my everything – my daughters, my legacy, my hope for the future. Each of them carries a piece of me, of us, and of Aerwyna itself. They are the embodiment of what we’ve fought for, what we’ve built from the ashes.

A deep voice breaks through my thoughts. “Rhea’s going to lead an army before she’s ten.”

I glance to my left and find Vance standing beside me, his arms crossed as he watches the girls. His sharp features soften as a rare smile tugs at his lips. “She’s relentless,” he adds, his tone filled with pride. “I see so much of you in her.”

“She’s bold,” I reply, leaning into his warmth as his arm slips around my waist. “But I think she gets her tactical mind from you.”

His smile grows as he presses a kiss to my temple. “We’ll call it a joint effort.”

Behind us, Bhodi strolls out onto the balcony, an apple in his hand and his grin as wide as ever. “I think Artemis is the troublemaker to watch,” he says, taking a bite and nodding toward the youngest, who has now climbed onto a low garden wall and is yelling about slaying dragons. “She’s got that wild streak, like someone else I know.”

I shake my head, but I can’t help laughing. “She’s curious. That’s not the same as wild.”

Bhodi winks. “Keep telling yourself that, Queenie. Give it a few years, and she’ll be sneaking off into the woods to ‘explore.’ Mark my words.”

“She’ll have a guard detail if she tries,” Vance mutters, though there’s no real edge to his words. These men of mine take being overprotective to a whole new level when it comes to the girls in their lives, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Reef joins us next, quieter but no less present. He leans against the railing, his eyes fixed on Lyra, who is still carefully collecting flowers. “She’s going to be a healer,” he says softly, a hint of awe in his voice. “I can see it already. The way she notices everything, how gentle she is with the world around her. She’s special, Malia. They all are.”

“They are,” I whisper, my chest tightening with emotion. “And they’re ours.”

Cove’s laughter echoes as he kneels to catch Artemis, who launches herself into his arms without hesitation. Cove is as attentive and kind as ever, his patience endless when it comes to the girls. Rhea rushes over to him next, waving her wooden sword, and he pretends to surrender, making them both dissolve into giggles.

“I don’t know how he does it,” I say, watching him with a smile as Cove rounds them up ready to lead them off to the garden.

Bhodi smirks. “Pure charm, obviously. He’s everyone’s favourite.”

---