Chapter 114 Chapter One Hundred Fourteen

Chapter 114 Chapter One Hundred Fourteen
Kaelani sat cross-legged at a table, Unseelie warriors gathered in a loose circle around her. She held a fan of enchanted cards etched with shifting sigils, their symbols glimmering faintly as though alive. She studied the other players with an unreadable expression, her storm-dark eyes giving nothing away.

Across from her sat Tharion, undefeated in this particular Fae game for centuries, or so he liked to remind everyone.

He laid one final card face down and leaned back.

“Very well,” he said. “Your riddle.”

The circle grew quiet.

Tharion’s voice lowered, deliberate and melodic.

“I am a hunger that owns no stomach.
I am a voice that leaves no echo.
I am born from friction and die from abundance.
I carve my name into bone and branch alike,
yet I possess no hands.
I travel faster than the wind that carries me,
and I vanish the moment I am drowned.
What am I?”

A murmur rippled through the watching Unseelie.

Kaelani’s lips curved faintly.

She lowered her gaze to the cards in her hands, and with a flick of her wrist, sent them spinning upward into the air. They hovered above her palm, rotating in a graceful circle of magic that threaded between them.

With another subtle motion, the cards folded inward, merging into a small, flickering creature that beat its wings once.

A bird formed entirely of living flame perched lightly on her fingertips.

The crowd leaned forward.

Kaelani looked directly at Tharion.

“The answer,” she said calmly, “is fire.”

The tiny bird chirped once before bursting outward into a controlled sphere of flame. It shot toward Tharion’s hand of cards and circled them once before splitting into multiple tongues of fire. In an instant, his cards multiplied—doubling, then tripling—until they spilled from his grip and scattered across the table.

The circle erupted.

“Oooooh!”

Tharion stared at the avalanche of cards in disbelief before throwing the entire hand down dramatically.

Kaelani shot to her feet, laughter bright in her voice. “What? Did I just beat the undefeated Tharion?”

Tharion barked a laugh, pushing back from the table. “You were fortunate.”

She crossed her arms with a grin. “Fortunate?”

He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “I demand a rematch.”

Just then, a stir at the edge of the gathering drew Kaelani’s attention. Two Unseelie guards stepped forward through the circle, and between them toddled a little boy no more than three years old. His sandy hair fell in soft, loose waves around his forehead, and his gray eyes shone brightly beneath the twin moons overhead.

One of the guards bowed his head respectfully. “We found him in the meadow again, my queen. He was chasing the fairies.”

A ripple of quiet amusement moved through the watching warriors.

Kaelani crossed her arms slowly. “Kaelen Julian Hale.”

The boy looked up at her with wide innocence.

She walked over and knelt in front of him. “You cannot keep teleporting here whenever you feel like it. You are going to give your grandmother a heart attack.”

The little boy shifted his weight. “Sorry, Mommy.”

She raised a brow. “Sorry doesn’t cut it.”

Her tone turned mock-serious. “If you disobey again, I am going to have Tharion throw you in the dungeon. Do you want that?”

Tharion stepped forward with theatrical gravity. “Oh yes. One night in the dungeon ought to straighten you up. There are vermin larger than you down there, boy.”

The child gave him a tiny, defiant growl.

The surrounding Unseelie burst into laughter.

Kaelani shook her head, unable to keep from smiling. “Do not growl at people, you little menace.”

She scooped him into her arms, pressing a quick kiss to his temple. “Say goodbye, Kaelen.”

The little boy waved enthusiastically. “Bye!”

Tharion pointed at Kaelani with mock accusation. “I will have my rematch.”

She laughed brightly. “All right, tough guy.”

A swirl of violet mist rose around her feet, curling upward like living smoke. In the next breath, mother and son vanished, leaving only a fading shimmer of magic and the lingering sound of laughter in the moonlit air.

Julian sat behind the broad oak desk in his office, a detailed survey of Blackthorn’s western territory spread between him and Jace. Several parcels of land were circled in ink, notes written neatly in the margins.

“The Davenport family is willing to sell,” Jace said, resting a hand on the map. “They’ve held that stretch near the northern ridge for three generations, but the sons moved east. They do not have the numbers to maintain it.”

Julian studied the marked acreage. “It would give us direct access to the high pass.”

“And more grazing land,” Jace added. “Plus room for expansion if the pack continues to grow.”

Julian’s mouth curved faintly. “Which it will.”

He tapped the parchment lightly. “Offer them fair market value. No pressure tactics. If they choose to stay, we leave the door open for partnership instead of purchase.”

Jace nodded once. “Kaelani has already expressed interest in a shared trade route through that corridor. If we secure it, it strengthens both our territories.”

Julian leaned back in his chair, satisfied. “Then let’s build something that lasts.”

A knock sounded at the door before it opened without waiting for permission.

Kaelani stepped inside with Kaelen perched comfortably on her hip, his small hand tangled in the fabric of her sleeve.

Julian looked up from the map, one brow arching. “Did he follow you to the Fae realm again?”

Kaelani gave him a look that was both amused and mildly exasperated. “He certainly did.”

Little Kaelen grinned proudly.

“Your mother thought he was down for a nap,” Kaelani continued. “She looked very displeased to see me appear with him.”

Julian exhaled through his nose. “What have we told you about your little Houdini acts? And you know you’re not supposed to disturb your mother while she’s working.”

Kaelen frowned slightly. “She wasn’t working. She was playing games.”

Julian slowly lifted his gaze to Kaelani.

“Oh, really?” he said dryly. “Good to know she’s enjoying herself while I’m buried in pack business.”

Kaelani laughed and set Kaelen down on his feet. He immediately ran over to Julian. “It was one game,” she said lightly. “One game, and then I was coming back. I finally beat Tharion at Veilcast.”

Julian’s brows lifted as Kaelen reached him. “Oh?” A slow grin spread across his face as he lifted his son onto his lap. “And how did he take it?”

Kaelani smirked. “Exactly how you would expect. He threw his cards down and demanded a rematch.”

Julian leaned back in his chair, Kaelen settled securely on his lap. “So what are we going to do about him, Kae?” he asked, the amusement in his voice tempered by something more serious beneath it. “Right now it’s the Fae realm. Next time he could blink himself into rogue territory or the middle of some human war zone. Have you thought about what we discussed the other night?”

Kaelani stepped closer to the desk, her expression shifting from playful to thoughtful. “Yes, I’ve thought about it,” she admitted. “But I don’t know. It feels wrong to use binding magic on him. He is only a child.”

Julian’s gaze gentled, but he did not waver. “It’s not a punishment. It’s for his safety. You will never forgive yourself if he slips somewhere we cannot reach in time.”

Kaelani sighed softly. “I know. Believe me, I know.” Her gaze dropped to Kaelen, her expression gentling despite the worry in her eyes. “Lyressa said he is the youngest Fae in recorded history to have his powers awaken. He is going to be very powerful one day.” Her jaw tightened slightly. “And that is exactly what worries me. What if he breaks the binding?”

“Then you reinforce it. You’re powerful, Kae,” he said firmly. “But we have to try. It’s time.”

Kaelen’s head popped up at that. “It’s baking time?”

Kaelani shook her head. “No baking for you today.”

His shoulders slumped, and he puckered his bottom lip dramatically.

“Uh-uh,” Kaelani warned, placing her hands on her hips. “Don’t give me that look. Mommy is not happy.”

Kaelen blinked up at her. “Will some honey cakes make Mommy happy?”

Kaelani shook her head gently. “I’m afraid not. And you better not teleport to Auntie Tessa’s again either. She won’t give you any treats. And no fishing trip with Grandpa Garrick this week.”

Kaelen slouched dramatically, arms folding across his tiny chest as he let out a long, exaggerated sigh.

Julian rested a hand on his son’s back. “This is serious business, buddy. You can’t just disappear on us like that.”

Jace, who had been quietly observing the exchange, cleared his throat and stood. Reading the room perfectly, he gave Julian a subtle look.

“Lilah is about to finish at the pack learning hall,” he said casually, his attention falling on the boy. “Want to go see if she’s still there and play for a bit?”

Kaelen’s head snapped up. “Lilah?” He scrambled off Julian’s lap without hesitation. “I go play!”

Jace chuckled as he reached for the boy’s hand. “Maddie had to speak with her instructor. Lilah turned another child’s lunch into frogs. Apparently she was upset he took her apple slices.”

Julian leaned forward in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Nice.”

He glanced at Kaelani. “At this rate, our kids are going to have the entire pack in revolt before they’re five.”

Jace smirked. “Yeah… well, I always knew we’d raise legends.”

Kaelani shook her head, smiling as Jace disappeared down the hallway with Kaelen chattering excitedly beside him.

Once the door closed, she turned back toward Julian and crossed the room.

“And you’re ready to be a father again, you say?” she asked, amusement dancing in her voice as she approached his desk.

Julian’s eyes followed her every step.

“Absolutely.”

He caught her wrist the moment she came within reach and tugged her onto his lap. 

Kaelani laughed softly as his arms settled around her. “You answered that awfully fast.”

“Because I didn’t need to think about it.”

He brushed a kiss beneath her ear before trailing another along the curve of her neck.

“I would spend the rest of my life filling this packhouse, Silveredge, and the entire Fae Realm with our children if you’d let me.”

Kaelani laughed. “Of course you would.”

“I can’t help it. I’m obsessed with my mate.” His lips found her mark. “And I love making babies with you.”

“Mhm,” she said, brushing her fingers through his hair. “And you get to do the easy part.”

Julian looked genuinely offended.

“The easy part?”

“Yes. The easy part.”

Julian teased, “Oh, don’t act like you don’t love that part.”

Kaelani bit her bottom lip, fighting a smile.

“Of course I do,” she admitted. “But the nine months that follow are… challenging, to say the least.”

Her expression turned knowingly amused.

“Not to mention the powerful little masterminds I’m going to have to chase from this world to the next.”

Julian slid an arm tighter around her waist.

“Then we’ll chase them together.”

His gaze softened as it settled on her.

“And when they inevitably drive us insane, we’ll just make another.”

Kaelani shook her head and smiled.

“That sounds exhausting,” she said softly. “But also beautiful.”

“I can’t think of anything more beautiful than growing our family,” he said. “Big or small, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to experience it all with you.”

Kaelani lifted her hand and cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing gently across his skin.

“I want it all too, my love.”

For a moment, Julian simply looked at her.

The woman he had crossed realms for.

Fought for.

Died for.

The woman who had become his greatest love, his greatest challenge, and the greatest blessing the Goddess had ever given him.

His mate.

The mother of his child.

His home.

A smile touched his lips.

“The last five years,” his hand covered hers, “have been the best years of my life.”

“And no matter how many years we have left,” he whispered, “it will never be enough. I will always want one more day with you. One more laugh. One more dance in the kitchen. One more child running through the halls. One more chance to look at you and thank the Goddess that I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Kaelani leaned forward until their foreheads touched, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “As complicated as things were from the start, I would still choose you. In every life. In every world.”

Julian closed his eyes for a brief moment, his thumb running along the back of her hand.

“I love you, baby.” Emotion thickened his voice.

Kaelani smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.

“I love you, too.”

Then she kissed him.

And as she melted into his arms, Kaelani realized that for all the magic she had encountered, nothing compared to this.

Not the endless power at her fingertips.

Not the realms she had crossed into.

Not the wonders she had witnessed.

It was love.

It had always been love.

The End

—-

Author’s Note

To every reader who walked this journey with me—thank you.

Your support, your comments, your theories, your love for these characters… it has meant more to me than I could ever fully put into words. Stories like this don’t live and breathe without readers like you, and I’m endlessly grateful that you chose to spend your time in this world with Kaelani and Julian.

If you found yourself drawn to the darkness—the kind of love that burns down worlds—the deeper lore, the dragons, the mystery beyond the ice walls, or characters like Lazarus and Sebastian, you can explore their origins in my other novel, The Last Dragon’s Enslaved Lycan Mate.

And if you love powerful heroines who have to fight to earn their place in the world, and fate-bound romance, I think you’ll also enjoy, The First of Her Kind.

If you want more—behind-the-scenes, future projects, Q&As, and a closer look into the chaos inside my head—you can find me on the gram
@mfs_author

Yes, I’m a bit of a controversial author with a knack for dark fantasy/romance. My love stories are edgy, to say the least—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not even close to done writing them.

But if you’re still here with me…

That means you’re not done reading them.

Thank you again for being here, for believing in this story, and for letting it become a small part of your world.

With love,
Nicky Skye
(My Fantasy Stories)