Chapter 84 Epilogue — The Day the Storm Became Home

Chapter 84 Epilogue — The Day the Storm Became Home
Alexandria POV 
The courtyard had never looked like this before. 
Lanterns hung from the wooden beams and the old stone walls were draped with long strands of greenery gathered from the forest. Wildflowers had been woven through everything—across tables, around doorways, even braided through the railings of the training yard. 
The same training yard where I had first proven I belonged. 
Now it had been transformed. 
Benches lined the space where fighters once sparred. Villagers, soldiers, and travelers crowded together, laughing and talking like this place had always been meant for celebration instead of steel. 
I stood just inside the doorway of the hall, staring at it all. 
My hands trembled slightly. 
“Ye look like ye’re bout tae march into battle” a voice said beside me. 
I turned to see Ailis leaning against the wall beside me, arms folded and a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. 
“Are ye nervous, lass?” 
“Of course I’m nervous.” 
Ailis snorted softly. 
“Ye fought three grown men in this very courtyard an’ sent ‘em runnin’.  Don’t tell me a weddin’ has ye shakin’.” 
“That was easier.” 
She laughed outright. 
“Aye, now that’s the most foolish thing I’ve heard all week.” 
Maybe it was. 
But stepping into a fight was simple. 
This… this mattered in a way that made my heart feel too large for my chest. 
I smoothed my hands down the simple white dress. It wasn’t silk or lace like the gowns noblewomen wore. 
Just soft linen, stitched carefully by the women in the village. 
But it felt perfect. 
Ailis nudged my shoulder. 
“Ye should probably stop hidin’ in here.” 
“I’m not hiding.” 
“Aye, ye are.” 
From outside, a cheer erupted suddenly. 
My stomach flipped. 
“What was that?” 
Ailis leaned toward the doorway and peaked out before chuckling to herself. 
“That would be yer husband losin’ patience.” 
I groaned. 
“He is not my husband yet.” 
“Give it two minutes.” 
Another cheer rose outside. 
I took a steadying breath.  
Then stepped out into the sunlight. 
The courtyard fell almost completely silent as I walked forward. 
Faces turned. 
Some smiling. 
Some curious. 
Some openly emotional. 
These people had watched everything. 
The fights. 
The arguments. 
The slow, stubborn way Killian and I had circled each other before finally admitting what had always been there. 
At the far end of the courtyard stood Killian. 
And suddenly nothing else mattered. 
He looked… different. 
Still broad-shouldered and intimidating as ever, dressed in dark trousers and a clean tunic—but there was something softer in the way he stood. 
Like the weight he carried had shifted. 
His eyes found mine immediately. 
And the corner of his mouth lifted. 
My heart nearly stopped. 
Someone gently guided me forward, but I barely noticed who. 
All I could see was him. 
By the time I reached the center of the courtyard, Killian’s gaze had softened into something almost disbelieving. 
“You’re late,” he murmured quietly as I reached him. 
“I was deciding if I should run.” 
His eyebrow lifted. 
“And?” 
“I decided you’d probably chase me.” 
A ripple of laughter moved through the gathered crowd. 
Killian’s voice dropped lower so only I could hear. 
“I would have.” 
The village elder cleared his throat loudly behind us. 
“If the two of you are quite finished,” he said dryly, “there are a great many people here who would like to see this wedding happen before sunset.” 
More laughter. 
Killian didn’t take his eyes off me as he reached for my hands. 
His fingers wrapped around mine. 
Warm. 
Steady. 
Real. 
The elder began speaking, but the words faded into the background. 
Because all I could think about was the path that had led here. 
The first fight. 
The first argument. 
The first moment I realized that the hard, stubborn man standing in front of me was the only place I had ever truly felt safe. 
“Alexandria,” the elder said gently. 
I blinked, realizing everyone was looking at me. 
“Yes?” 
“Do you take Killian to be your husband?” 
My grip on his hands tightened. 
Killian’s thumb brushed slowly across my knuckles. 
“Yes,” I said. 
The answer came easily. 
The elder turned. 
“Killian. Do you take Alexandria to be your wife?” 
Killian didn’t hesitate. 
“Yes.” 
The certainty in his voice sent a warmth through my chest that felt almost overwhelming. 
The elder smiled. 
“Then by the authority given to me by this village, I pronounce you husband and wife.” 
He barely finished the sentence before Killian pulled me forward. 
His kiss was deep and certain, drawing cheers and whistles from the entire courtyard. 
When he finally pulled back, I was breathless. 
“You did chase me,” I murmured. 
His grin was slow and dangerous. 
“I told you I would.” 
Someone shoved mugs into our hands. 
Music started. 
People laughed, clapped, and pulled us toward the center of the courtyard. 
The training yard that had once been filled with the sound of swords now echoed with music and dancing. 
Killian pulled me closer as we turned slowly together. 
His voice was low near my ear. 
“So,” he murmured. 
“So?” 
“You’re stuck with me now.” 
I smiled up at him. 
“Good.” 
His arm tightened around my waist. 
And for the first time since the day I arrived here— 
The storm inside me was quiet. 
Because I had finally found the one place I belonged. 
Home. 
With him.