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I smile at him. “I do believe that’s what Caspian said to us the first time I invited him to dinner.”

Caspian wrinkles his nose. “I do believe that was the only time you invited me to dinner.”

Keldarion crosses to us in two steps, chuckling to himself. He grabs Caspian by the collar and kisses him firmly on the mouth. “Then I hereby invite the Prince of the Below to dinner tonight and every night forevermore.”

Caspian falls away, flushing deeply. “Well, I guess that’ll do. But I have plans on winter solstice.”

I give him a quizzical glance. “What plans?”

He shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Come on now. Would I really be the Prince of Thorns without some secrets? You’ll just have to wait and see.”

Keldarion affectionately ruffles his hair before slipping an arm around my waist and leaning down to place a kiss on my lips. “You look beautiful, my Rose.”

I rest my head on his chest, letting the protectiveness of his arms steady my nerves. It’s almost time to step out there, to look upon the Enchanted Vale and officially take my place as queen. What if nobody has shown up?

“They’ll be here,” Caspian says, reading my mind.

Keldarion huffs a breath. “Daytonales came to get me. Now he’s late?”

Just then, the door swings open, and Dayton enters, flanked by Ezryn and Farron.

“Were you insulting me, King Kel?” Dayton chimes. “I can tell when you are.”

“Of course not.” Keldarion gives a forced smile.

“Oh, I know you love me,” Dayton says in a singsong voice, “just like you love all of us.”

Kel shakes his head. “Unfortunately, I do.”

“Do what?” Dayton prances over and prods him in the chest with a pointed finger. “You’ve got to say it.”

Kel lets out a grumble more beast than man, then sighs. “Love you all…very much.”

“There it is.” Dayton throws an arm around his shoulders.

My heart surges with light and warmth, seeing them all here with me, feeling the love between all of us.

“Everyone’s waiting for you, sweetheart.” Farron cups my face before gliding a hand down my chest to rest over the maple leaf necklace.

I grin up at him, and then Dayton leans down to kiss my cheek. “Let’s not keep the Vale waiting any longer.”

“For their queen.” Ezryn steps forward, and I stare into the T of his helm, his presence as always giving me courage.

“One last thing.” I lift his helm so I can kiss his lips. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

Ezryn holds out his arm, and I take it. Keldarion claims my other arm, then loops his around Caspian. Hand in hand, Farron and Dayton move to Ezryn’s other side, and then together, the six of us walk out onto my balcony.

My room has always looked over Castletree’s gardens, to the briars and mountains beyond, where I once dreamed of a way home. But little did I know I had been standing in my home all along.

I am not the same girl who came to the Vale, and the Vale is not the same as when I arrived.

Now, instead of briars, there are rolling green fields, forests, new lakes, and rushing rivers. And the lands are not empty; every inch below my balcony is filled with fae and animals and wondrous creatures. The crowd spreads beyond where my eyes can see. Tents fill the hills, and boats dot the lakes and river.

I bring an arm up to block the sun, and the cheer begins. Softly, like the first drops of rain as they notice us on the balcony, then erupting into a storm.

“I didn’t think any sound could rival that of the arena,” Dayton says.

“They’re all here for us,” I breathe.