He turned her in his arms, and his expression?—
She’d never seen him look that way before. Open. Vulnerable. Completely, terrifyingly happy.
“Again,” he said roughly.
“I love you.” She meant every syllable. “Every day. For the rest of our lives.”
His mouth found hers.
“That can be arranged.”
They kissed until Delos wolf-whistled from somewhere above, until Junie’s laughing voice demanded they get a room, until the community’s joy pressed in around them and gave the moment a purpose greater than just two people.
Haven Shores had won.
And Narla Wright—candle witch, survivor, claimed mate of the most suspicious sheriff on the West Coast—had finally found her way home.
After the wounded were tended,the dead were mourned, and the community began the long work of processing what had happened—Narla found a quiet moment on the rebuilt seawall.
The harbor cleanup had already begun. Junie’s potions were dissolving construct remains into harmless ash. The wolves were patrolling the perimeter, ensuring no stray constructs had escaped the battle. Aero was consulting with the Elder Council about how to report a Devourer sighting to the Continental Council. Avine was back at the Siren’s Rest, recovering from the drain of calling that much from the sea in a single morning.
Wyatt found Narla there, two cups of coffee in his hands.
“Thought you might need this.”
She took the cup, wrapped her fingers around its warmth. He settled beside her on the wall.
“My parents called,” she said. “They never even knew anything was happening.”
He didn’t say anything. Just shifted closer, let her lean into his warmth.
“I’ll need to tell them eventually. The truth about Niccolas. About Clara.” She stared out at the water. “They deserve to know it wasn’t accidents. That their daughter was murdered.”
“When you’re ready.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.” She turned to look at him. “But I’m done hiding. Done protecting everyone from truths they have a right to know.”
“Even if it hurts?”
“Especially then.” She leaned up and kissed his jaw. “Truth-telling witch, remember? It’s kind of my thing now.”
He huffed a laugh. “I remember. You set Derren on fire with it.”
“Technically, Aero and Avine set him on fire. I just made sure he couldn’t hide from it.”
“Semantics.” He turned his head, caught her mouth in a proper kiss.
When they broke apart, his expression had softened into something tender.
“I meant what I said. Every day. For the rest of our lives.”
“I know.” She smiled. “I’m counting on it.”
The sun climbed higher over Haven Shores, painting the water in shades of gold and rose.
Haven Shores had survived. Would continue surviving the way it always had.
And Narla would be here to watch it. Home at last.
