“By my right as ruler of Kichona, I hereby declare you a warrior.”

The empress placed the pendant softly around Sora’s neck.

Luna’s mark on the small of her back warmed, just a little. Sora smiled broadly, as Aki’s gesture meant more than just being inducted into the warrior ranks. It also meant that Kichona and the Society still existed, that Sora had succeeded in saving what she loved.

“Now I have a question for you,” Empress Aki said. “It isn’t what you expect.”

Sora looked blankly at the empress, then at Daemon, Fairy, and Broomstick. They all shrugged, just as clueless as Sora was.

Empress Aki faced the audience. “War has changed all of us, and what we’ve learned is that bravery is not measured in age or experience but in the spirit of the heart. It is a new era for Kichona and for the Society of Taigas. Which means it’s a new era for the Council as well.”

She turned to address Sora directly. “The Councilmembers and I agree that we want new ideas and new ways of thinking. And what we need now, more than ever, is formidable leaders. Therefore, it is my great honor to ask—will you, Spirit, be the fifth—and newest—member of the Council of the Society of Taigas?”

“What?” Sora’s jaw dropped in what was probably the most inelegant induction of a Councilmember in the history of Kichona. She stood on stage, unable to fully comprehend what the empress had said. For her friends to be invited to become Imperial Taigas was already unprecedented but this . . .

“M-me?” Sora asked. “On the Council?”

Empress Aki nodded. “If you say yes.”

“Yes! Yes yes yes! Thank you. I can’t believe . . . I’ll do you proud, I promise,” she said to the empress, the four Councilmembers, and, really, to the entire Society sitting in the amphitheater.

“I know you will,” Empress Aki said. “Hence, by my right as ruler of Kichona, I hereby declare you a member of the Council of the Society of Taigas.”

Sora’s breath caught in her throat. But her fellow Councilmembers—fellow Councilmembers!—began to clap. Fairy shrieked in delight, Broomstick pumped his fists and cheered, and Papa and Hana stood on their benches, whistling.

Daemon stood back, just watching Sora and smiling.

Is it real? She mouthed the words and sent the disbelief through their gemina bond, the same shock wave of emotion as the first time she saw him shift into a wolf.

He strode over, put his hands on either side of her face, and said, “Yes, Sora. All of this is real.”

Then he kissed her, right there on stage, and even though the amphitheater went wild with cheering, and even though they’d have to deal with his promise to live with the gods for half of each year, for that moment, it was only Sora and Daemon in the world.

Best friends.

Geminas.