Bliss. One word to describe my feelings after saying "I do" was bliss. After Malachi sealed our vows with a passionate kiss—before the priest even prompted him, I might add—I looked out into the crowd. Though there were many faces, only a few truly stood out. My friends, my family, the ones who had shaped my life, the ones who mattered most.

There was my father, the man who had loved me unconditionally my entire life. A man who once hoped I would forever remain his little girl. After the wedding, he lingered for weeks, working tirelessly to draft a peace treaty between Malachi and the remaining nobles. It was a delicate balance—one that did not undermine Malachi's vision for a just kingdom but also respected the wisdom and experience of the noblemen who had governed this land before his arrival. Without my father's cooperation, peace between Malachi and the existing nobles would have been impossible.

Next to him stood Gareth, my protective older brother. Despite his stern exterior, I saw the love in his eyes, love for me even if he had yet to fully accept Malachi. In the few months since the wedding, Gareth had remained at the castle as my father's representative after he returned to his own lands. Gareth intends to represent the Emberlyn family here at court until our father summons him back to refine his training and eventually take over the household. He will make a fine lord one day. Even now, he gives Malachi a hard time, challenging him at every turn, but a bit of opposition can be a good thing. It keeps Malachi sharp, reminds him that respect is earned, not just given.

By Gareth's side in the wedding audience was my ever-strong big sister, Maeve. Since the wedding, Malachi had begun to grow on her. She saw how he treated me—how he doted on me and respected me in ways she hadn't expected. More importantly, she saw how happy he made me. That alone was enough to start melting the ice between them.

Maeve had been struggling with her identity these past few months. For so long, she had put the family first, even willing to marry the prince—a man she did not love—for the sake of our family, and without even a whisper of protest. Now that I have married the king and the Emberlyn political alliances are secure, Maeve finds herself with something unfamiliar: choice. For the first time in her life, she can choose what she wants to do, who she wants to be.

I used to envy her, her importance to the family, the way she was always needed. But now I see that she was just as trapped as I was, maybe even more so. No one ever asked what Maeve truly wanted; they simply expected her to do as she was told. But now, with those expectations lifted, she's starting to discover new sides of herself, new desires, new dreams. She remains in the palace for now, by my side, as she embarks on this journey of self-discovery. Neither of us knows where her path will lead, but that uncertainty, that freedom, is thrilling.

Next among the faces that brought me joy was Caius, my silly yet endlessly supportive brother. He has always been a wildcard, and that hasn't changed since the wedding. Caius got along with Malachi and everyone at the palace remarkably well—so much so that he managed to convince them to send him to other territories as an ambassador. Traveling has always been his passion, and now he plans to spend the rest of his life exploring different lands, meeting new people, and immersing himself in diverse cultures. I can't wait to hear the stories and knowledge he'll bring back with him. His letters are already filled with tales of his adventures, and I know that, despite the distance, he will always be close to my heart.

Rounding out my family were my little sisters, Gwen and Arya, standing with my stepmother. Their faces lit up with joy, delighted to be included in the wedding—a rare honor for children, especially at a public ceremony like this one. But I had insisted. Their wide-eyed excitement reminded me of the boundless possibilities ahead of them. Their futures are so bright, and although they returned to the estate with Father, they have an open invitation to the palace. I can't wait to see the fiery, spirited young women they'll grow into. They are the future of our family, and I'm determined to help them realize their potential in any way I can.

After my family, my eyes found my friends in the crowd—my chosen family. There was Leif, my childhood friend who had always stood by me. A loyal knight to my family, yes, but an even more loyal friend. He risked everything, going against my father's orders and his own interests, to reunite me with the man I love. I will always love Leif; he means more to me than words can express. In these past few months, he has blended seamlessly into Malachi's circle. His deep knowledge of this country and his unwavering passion for justice have made him an undeniable asset to the kingdom. And, dare I say, he and Malachi are becoming true friends—a bond that warms my heart.

As for Leif's personal life, well, there was also the woman standing next to him in the crowd. Fearsome and resolute, there stood Minerva—my unlikely but cherished friend. She's a woman to behold, commanding any room she enters with a presence that's impossible to ignore. While she's one of Malachi's closest confidantes, she's also become one of mine. She's taken to feeding me ammunition in marital spats, regaling me with embarrassing stories about Malachi that I eagerly use to my advantage. Despite her formidable nature, she has a playful side, and it shows in her interactions with Leif.

Minerva still remains in Stelara, but she plans to return to Frosthelm soon. Well, as soon as she's sure Leif is fully under her spell. The two of them are entangled in a will-they, won't-they romance that's as amusing as it is inevitable. It's clear they're meant to be, and both of them know it. But they seem to enjoy the dance, keeping things interesting between them. Watching their relationship unfold brings me no small amount of joy.

Last but not least, amidst the sea of faces on my wedding day, I spotted Felicity. She had been the kind maid who cared for me after Malachi's attack. From the very beginning, I was fond of her, but the friendship that blossomed between us was so genuine and pure. She was always there for me, and I wanted to offer her the same unwavering support.

My wedding was barely over when Felicity and Torin, Malachi's stoic right-hand man, had their own turn at the altar. Their wedding was a sight to behold. Torin, who was known for his unshakable composure, couldn't seem to keep the smile off his face for even a second. Felicity, radiant and joyful, matched his happiness perfectly.

Felicity would go on for hours about her and Torin's future together. Apparently, she dreams of having seven children. I chuckle at the thought, imagining their bustling, lively home. Whatever the final count of their offspring, it's clear they are destined to be exceptional parents. The joy they radiate when they're together is truly infectious, and I'm thrilled to see them so blissfully happy.

As for looking to my future, I need only to gaze upon the man I love, my warrior king, my husband. Together, we dedicate our days to making the continent of Aetheria a better place for all its citizens, tackling each effort one step at a time. I finally feel as though I am making a significant impact, as though my life is truly contributing to something meaningful. The work is demanding, and there is still so much for me to learn, but my passion drives me forward. Whenever I need encouragement, all I have to do is look to Malachi.

After long days of meetings, documents, and the intricate dance of politics, Malachi and I retreat to our private world. Our nights are filled with shared dreams of the future—both the future of Aetheria and our own. We find solace and strength in each other's embrace, reminding ourselves that, through it all, we always have one another. Our love is our anchor, grounding us amidst the storms of leadership, and our shared vision lights the path forward.

The cool night air brushed against my skin as I stepped out onto the balcony, the lights of Stella twinkling like distant stars below. The day had been long, filled with meetings and discussions that seemed to have no end, but now it was just us—me and Malachi, in the quiet of our private world.

I felt his presence before I heard him, the familiar warmth of his body as he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. I leaned back into him, sighing contentedly as his chin rested on my shoulder.

"Long day, my queen?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Long but rewarding," I replied, tilting my head to brush my cheek against his. "But I'm glad it's over. I've been looking forward to this moment all day."

"Just this moment?" He teased, his lips brushing the curve of my neck. "I thought you were supposed to be focused on more important things."

"Oh, I was focused," I said, smiling as I turned in his arms to face him. "But you've been distracting me, even from a distance."

"Good," he said, his eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and affection. "I'd hate to think you were too busy ruling the world to think about your husband."

I laughed softly, tracing a finger along his jaw. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"So I've been told," he replied, pulling me closer. "But I've also been told I'm worth the trouble."

"Lucky for you, I agree," I said, leaning up to press a kiss to his lips, lingering just long enough to feel the smile that spread across his face.

When I pulled back, we both turned to look out at the city, the weight of the day lifting as we stood there together, wrapped in each other's warmth.

"What do you think the future holds for us?" I asked softly, more to myself than to him.

He was quiet for a moment, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. I'm not worried about the future as long as I have you by my side."

I smiled, feeling the truth of his words settle deep in my heart. "I like the sound of that."

We stood there in comfortable silence for a while, the night wrapping around us like a comforting blanket. I felt at peace, knowing that whatever the future held, we'd tackle it together.

"To us," Malachi said suddenly, his voice soft but full of promise.

"To us," I echoed, leaning into him, knowing that as long as we had each other, the future was bright—full of hope, love, and the endless possibilities that lay ahead.

A/N: The end! Thanks for sticking with me during Elara and Malachi's journey; I loved reading your reactions and forever appreciate your support. I started writing on a whim a little less than a year ago, thinking, why not? I have really enjoyed it as a form of creative release and I am well aware that I am still getting the hang of it so bear with me if I am not always perfect. I would love to hear what you all thought of this book though!

I am wondering what to do for my next work and have a couple of thoughts. I have started a sequel to my book "The Alpha King's Human." Right now it is following a "fated mates" and "enemies to lovers" trope (without being as dark as the first book and having more likable characters). I need to think through that one a bit more before I post anything and make sure I have a storyline that I really like. I am also considering re-publishing the first book that I started on here a year ago called, "Elemental Awakening." I would be able to get that out pretty fast since I already wrote a version of it but I feel as though my writing has improved so I would want to take another try at it and edit deeply. That one is a fantasy with a dark romance in it.

Let me know your thoughts!