A soft breeze tugs at our hair, but our Aurora magic keeps us warm. We’ve spent the last three days doing nothing but lying in bed and enjoying each other, just like I dreamed during that night in the cave in Herric’s arena. It’s been even more perfect than I imagined.

But it’s a clear night, and Nadir decided we needed to get some air.

I stare up into the sky at the aurora lights rippling overhead. They seem even more brilliant than usual, their colors so vibrant it’s hard to believe they’re real. I remember those nights I sat in the Hollow when this sight was the only thing keeping me together.

How far we’ve all come since.

I look at Nadir and smile, the edges soft.

He takes my breath away every single time.

“This was a good suggestion,” I admit.

“I’m full of them,” he replies with a smirk.

We continue walking a bit further until we ascend to another high ridge. The snow sparkles like a million diamonds, and the breeze tugs at the strands of my hair. I inhale a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp scent of this place that is now one half of my home. I stare up at the stars, thinking of Tyr watching over us, so grateful he gave me this life.

Nadir wraps his arms around me, and we stand together, two people who almost lost everything and then found the world.

“I love you, Lor,” he says, and I nod as my throat swells with the threat of tears. It feels like they’re always at the surface lately. I used to hide them and stuff them away. I spent so many years pretending they didn’t exist, knowing they would only be used to hurt me, but now I understand how much they’ve helped me heal.

These are tears of joy, not sorrow. These are tears that prove how strong I had to be.

These tears remind me that I finally learned how to trust. The lies and the secrets are no more. Finally, I can be everything I’ve wanted without the burdens of my past defining me.

And now I am free.

“Every time I think of how close we came to losing everything . . .” I say, looking up, and he nods.

“I know. But we’re here. And we’re together.”

“Forever,” I add.

He captures my chin in his fingers. “If I have to follow you into the very depths of the Underworld.”

I laugh. “Let’s hope we never have to do that again.”

We both turn to look at the sky and watch the lights. My eyes flutter closed as peace spreads over me, slipping between my ribs and settling into my heart with a steady, constant beat that will carry me anywhere.