The journey home felt different.
Not because the path had changed.
Because they had.
The Shore of Lost Things no longer felt like a prison at the edge of existence.
It felt like a harbor.
A place ships visited before continuing onward.
A place stories rested before beginning again.
The silver bridge stretched behind them as they walked toward the doorway back to Black Hollow.
Midnight glanced over her shoulder one last time.
The silver lake shimmered peacefully beneath the restored stars.
The tree of starlight stood tall at the center of the island.
And beneath its branches—
the First Queen and Seraphine sat together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Living.
The sight made something warm settle in Midnight's chest.
They deserved that.
After everything.
They deserved ordinary moments.
