“Then I would love to come to Valandria. Zayne, I love you. I’ll go wherever you lead. Well, this time. I can’t promise I’ll always let you lead.”
He smirks. “I love you too. I’ve always loved you. I tried to forget, but you were always in my heart.”
He lowers his head to kiss me just as something hits me on the shoulder.
I look down. I think I’ve just been attacked by a chocolate truffle.
Another one hits Zayne on the head.
Grimlet is sitting under the Christmas tree, surrounded by empty chocolate wrappers.
“Ugh,” he mutters. “Kissing again. Disgusting. Mouths are better used for eating chocolate.”
“I disagree,” Zayne says—and lowers his mouth to mine.
Epilogue: Best Christmas Ever.
Josh
Everything has changed.
I’ve never had a proper Christmas before. Though I’m not sure this counts. Most Christmases don’t include monsters, and missing children, and gargoyles who eat too much chocolate. Grimlet is on my shoulder—he weighs way more than he did when we arrived. Tansy—my sister (I like saying that)—has my other hand in a death grip.
It’s Boxing Day morning, and we’re in an empty upstairs room—the soon-to-be “mirror room” at the manor. All our goodbyeshave been said, though I don’t think it will be long before we see Holly’s family again.
Holly stares up at Zayne as she whispers the spell, and a mirror shimmers into life in front of us.
And I realize I saw this moment before we ever came to Earth. Tansy’s small hand in mine. The mirror waking like an eye. Holly’s hair catching the light. Zayne half-turned toward us.
It’s not the first time I’ve seen things that come to pass. And I know it won’t be the last. The seeing is getting easier. Also…hungrier. Sometimes it feels like the stars aren’t just showing me paths—they’re asking for something in return. And one day soon, the payment will come due. All magic has a price. Amber told me that. It should scare me. It doesn’t. Not yet.
The mirror pulses, a glow rolling over my skin like a warm breath. Tansy squeaks and clutches my arm. “Is it safe through the mirror?” she whispers.
“Safe? No,” I tell her, grinning. “Better. Yes.”
Zayne glances back, silver eyes catching the light, and says, “Ready?”
This Christmas was amazing. All the same, I’m glad we’re going home. I nod.
And together, we all step through into the starlight.
The End.
