Chapter 85 Peace After the Storm

Chapter 85 Peace After the Storm
Coriander’s Point of View

“Everything is fine now, Coriander. We have drawn the poison completely out of his body,” Aunt Elmira said seriously after the ritual was finished. “But he still needs to rest here for a while so we can keep a close watch over him. Elder Mara’s ability to craft such deadly magic is truly unimaginable—this poison was far more dangerous than it first appeared. It is safest for him to stay here, where we can tend to him around the clock.”

I let out a long, deep breath I felt I had been holding since the moment I saw that violet glow seeping from his wound. My shoulders dropped, the tension finally leaving my body.

I nodded gratefully before glancing over at Mivron. He lay peacefully in the bed now, the color slowly returning to his face, the pain gone from his expression at last.

“Thank you,” I said softly, meeting her eyes. “Thank you for keeping your word. For saving him.”

A gentle, sad smile touched Elmira’s lips as she looked back at me.

“I have already interfered far too much in your life, Coriander. I do not wish to add another wrong to all the mistakes I have already made against you. We are family, after all. And I would never want to reach the day when I stand before Alice… and cannot look her in the eye. I could not bear to face her knowing I failed to protect her daughter or her grandson. She loved you so deeply. And it would break her heart all over again if she saw how I let you down.”

I could not find the words to speak. My throat felt tight and dry, for I had never imagined I would live to hear such honesty and remorse come from her.

I was not saying I had forgiven her completely—not yet. The hurt ran deep, and trust could not be rebuilt in a single moment. But the bitterness I had carried against her for so long no longer weighed as heavy as it once did. It had softened, just a little, into something that might one day heal.

I truly hoped she meant it. I hoped with all my heart that she would change for good, so she would never walk the same dark path Elder Mara had chosen—so she would not let greed and ambition turn her into someone who would hurt her own family. That was all I wanted now: for her to choose differently, while there was still time.

My day did not end with that conversation alone. I had called a gathering to formally announce our success—Elder Mara was in our custody once again. We were confident now that she would never simply escape, and she would never be able to use magic again, thanks to the ritual we had performed in the special chamber prepared for both her and Madame Tulfa.

“So tiring…” I whispered softly as I finally arrived at the home we were staying in within the Hundi Pack grounds.

The moment I stepped through the door, I heard it—loud, bright, unmistakeable laughter from Elo, the kind I had not heard in far too long, ringing through every room.

And there they were: my mate and my son, chasing each other around the living room, the whole place a delightful mess. Pillows lay everywhere, blankets were draped over chairs and strewn across the floor, and even some snacks had found their way into the chaos. They were both breathless, grinning wildly, and having the time of their lives.

Seriously?

I shook my head, but I was already smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. After everything—the war, the years apart—this was what victory truly looked like. Not crowns or power, just this, my boys, happy, whole, and utterly messy.

Elo spotted me first and shrieked, darting away from Mavros to throw himself into my arms. “Momma! Papa is so fast! But I am faster!”

Mavros stopped right behind him, panting softly, his hair tousled, a pillow still clutched in one hand, and the happiest, most peaceful smile I had ever seen on his face. He looked at me—really looked at me—and my heart felt so full I thought it might burst.

“He certainly is,” I laughed, hugging Elo tight before glancing up at Mavros with mock sternness. “And you two… have you turned the entire house upside down?”

Mavros grinned, unashamed. “It was his idea, but I helped.”

I winced and shook my head. Earlier, I had felt so worn out, all I wanted was to lie down and rest because truth be told, I still hadn’t had a proper moment to recover since the war ended. But then I saw the smiles of these two men in my life and felt their warmth beside me, and it was like magic: every bit of exhaustion I had been carrying just melted away.

“How is Mivron doing?” Mavros asked gently as we sat together on the sofa. Elo was fast asleep in his arms now, completely worn out from all the running and laughing, yet still clinging tightly to his father, unwilling to let go.

“According to Aunt Elmira, he is doing well,” I answered softly. “The poison is gone completely. His color has returned, his strength is coming back, and by tomorrow he should be awake and sitting up, ready to complain about being kept in bed.” I gave a small, tired but happy smile. “He just needs rest and time to fully heal. He is safe now.”

Mavros let out a long breath of relief, his hand rubbing slow, gentle circles on Elo’s back as he looked over at me with deep gratitude in his eyes.

“That is good,” he whispered. “More than good. It is everything I could have hoped for. We have him back. And we have you. And this little one…” He brushed a soft kiss to the top of Elo’s head. “We have each other. That is all that matters.”

He shifted a little, making space for me, and opened his free arm to draw me close so I could rest against his shoulder too. “Now you rest as well, my love. You have saved everyone else. Tonight, let me take care of you.”

I leaned into him, closing my eyes, listening to the steady beat of his heart and the quiet sound of Elo’s breathing. And for the first time in years, I did not have to be strong. I could just be home.

☾⊶✦⊷☾⊶✦⊷☾

King Mavros’ Point of View

I watched Coriander’s breathing grow soft and steady, deep and even—the sure sign that she had finally fallen into a true, peaceful sleep. After such a long, hard day, after all the battles and fear and loss, she was finally resting properly, safe in my arms.

Holding the two people I love most in this world—my mate and my son—close against my chest was the greatest birthday gift I could ever receive. Better than any crown, any victory, any power. I had never dared to hope we would reach this moment. For so long, I truly believed our paths had been torn apart forever, that the lies and treachery would keep us separated for the rest of our lives. I had thought I would spend every day knowing she was out there, but never with me.

But the Moon Goddess had not failed me. She had not let the lies that wrapped themselves around both our hearts win. She had given us the strength to see through the deceit, to find our way back to each other, and to finally be whole again.

The moon bond is truly powerful. It never breaks. It never lets what is meant to be fade into nothing. No matter how far apart we were, no matter how much darkness stood between us, that connection stayed—pulling, waiting, until we were together again.

I did not move an inch. I stayed perfectly still, just looking down at them with a quiet, full heart, a gentle smile on my face. I was afraid that even the smallest shift, the slightest movement, might wake them.

I wanted to freeze this moment in time—Coriander resting against my side, her hand curled over my heart, and Elo fast asleep between us, warm and safe and finally where he belonged. This was peace. This was home. And I would guard it with my life.

“Thank you… thank you for giving a second chance to a fool like me,” I whispered softly against their skin.

I leaned down and pressed a gentle, reverent kiss to Coriander’s forehead first, then to Elo’s, breathing in the scent of my family—my whole world.

I had made so many mistakes. I had been proud, stubborn, blind, and foolish, letting fear and lies stand between me and the people I loved most.

I had hurt her, doubted her, and missed out on years of my son’s life because I was too weak to see the truth. Yet here they were—safe in my arms, mine again. She had forgiven me. She had brought me home. And for that, I would spend every remaining day of my life proving that her trust had not been misplaced.

I rested my cheek lightly on top of Elo’s head, my arm tightening just enough to hold them close but not enough to disturb their sleep.

“I will spend every day making it up to you,” I promised them quietly, my heart swelling with a love so deep it brought tears to my eyes. “Both of you. Forever.”

And in the quiet of the night, with the moon shining softly through the window and the steady breathing of my loved ones beside me, I knew that no matter what came tomorrow, we would face it together. Nothing would ever tear us apart again.