Technically we only got to your next five because @CestMaPetiteVie signed up twice...but I'm counting it ;) Here's the end!

*THREE MONTHS LATER*

Cleaning up Helena's mess--and Narissa's mess for that matter--would take time. Maverick, Bainon, and Gwen met with the governors already in Osha in the infirmary, and invitations were sent out to those who hadn't made it.

They created a city council for Osha out of the governors already there--men and women who would listen to the needs of the people and meet with Maverick once a month to discuss issues. Those from outlying cities were also invited to bi-monthly meetings, depending on how easy the ride to Osha would be. For the westernmost towns, Maverick, Gwen, and Bainon would make a trip twice a year to meet with the governors in a central location.

Accompanied by their Guardians, of course.

As for the Militia soldiers, Phoenix and Eric--with the help of Selene--interviewed them each one at a time, interrogating them. Most had joined the Militia out of the disillusion with Narissa, and hadn't been loyal to Helena, but to Maverick and Gwen. Under Aundreya's control, they'd done what they were told.

A few, like Mygel, were still hells-bent on seeing the Tremaines destroyed. They were given the option to swear fealty but refused. Maverick didn't want to begin his reign with executions, but Eric wouldn't allow the traitors to live in Braskey.

They were given the option of banishment--with provision--through the safest part of Fangralee forest. It wasn't saying much. Even the safest parts of Fangralee offered terrible dangers, but if they could reach Opea or Dellsby, they were welcome to start a new life.

It would be a long road, Phoenix knew, but seeing how far they'd come, from the children in Treywick who thought the world was black and white to adults who knew better, she felt the promise of hope.

On a sunny day in the middle of summer, Phoenix found her odd little family gathered around the table for lunch. Maverick and Noelle sat at the head and right hand of the table, hand in hand while discussing wedding plans with Gwen--she insisted on making the desserts. Roman chased Trey around the room while Audra watched.

Altair and Castor hadn't returned since the day Helix was defeated. Three months, and no word. Audra didn't show any concern, calm for the first time in her life. Her son was safe, and she'd been accepted into castle life without any pushback.

Eric sat on Maverick's left, bouncing Reed on his knee. The talks between Mr. Trusoe and Eric had been both bad and good. With their daughter gone, the Trusoes weren't eager to release their grandson into his father's hands. After all, as Mr. Trusoe continually pointed out, Eric had abandoned her.

Nothing Phoenix had said in mediation changed his opinion. It wasn't until Audra brought Trey by that the Trusoes softened. They'd cared for Trey when Abigail returned and hadn't seen him since the Militia coup. He told them of what Eric did, how he'd saved them all by destroying Helena. He also told them how Abigail felt about Eric--something he'd sensed in her presence. Audra confirmed it.

It wasn't enough to mend the bridge entirely, but it was a start. The Trusoes kept Reed two days a week and watched him when Eric was fulfilling his duties as the Commander of Maverick's new Army. The adults had stilted conversations during exchanges, but Reed was happy and cared for.

He let out a shrieking giggle and grabbed a tight hold of Eric, who boosted him up into a hug. Phoenix joined him, sitting down and making faces at Reed.

"You're doing a good job, you know," Phoenix said, elbowing Eric. "You're a good father for not really having one of your own. Now you have a family."

"I had a family before," Eric said, elbowing her back. "I have you." His smile faltered as his focus returned to his son. "It's strange to think of, raising him all by myself."

"You won't be by yourself. You have the Trusoes and all of us." She gestured around the room. Roman had finally given up the pretense and caught Trey, swinging him around. Quilla and Pollemius watched from where they'd perched, leaning against the wall behind Maverick. Pollemius's wife, Dara, gave a rich laugh.

"And I couldn't be more grateful, but you know what I meant."

Phoenix sobered, nodding. "This isn't helpful, but maybe it's the way it was meant to happen. Would it have hurt more to lose her after fifty years together, when you will live for several hundred more?"

"I think it would hurt the same no matter what." Eric brought his face close to Reed's and brushed his nose against his son's. "I'm alone. That's just how it is."

Phoenix's gaze traveled to just beyond Eric, spotting Quilla watching father and son with growing affection. "Maybe for now. But maybe not forever. Time can heal all wounds."

"Maybe." Eric kissed Reed's cheek and bounced him up and down again, not noticing what Phoenix saw.

Her own heart twinged, and she glanced back at Audra. She'd spent years without Altair--years without Trey--and while it had nearly destroyed her, she sat strong now. But she had to know, more even than Phoenix did, what it felt like right now.

She'd only just remembered Samson when Castor left, and they couldn't even have been considered "together." She'd died shortly after their first kiss. Still, she'd loved him since she was young, and even when she thought she might waver in favor of Castor's open attention, she hadn't betrayed him.

Sometimes she remembered Maverick's anger with Altair for having lied about being Youlden, and she'd heard of Eric's cold dismissal of Castor when he'd discovered he wasn't just Samson. In the three months of his absence, she'd considered his misdirection. He'd warned her to avoid Samson, encouraging her to keep her distance, and then he'd kissed her the very next time she saw him.

Knowing they were the same person didn't make his behavior less confusing, but she found her initial anger ebbed each day as the ache of missing him grew. Did any of it really matter? Really?

The only thing that mattered was his absence--why did they stay away? Surely it wouldn't have taken this long for Finny to pass. They'd seen a star shower in the night sky the night after the battle, and they were certain it was Finny's light. They'd held a funeral pyre for her before the celebration.

Where were they?

As if in answer to her thoughts, Trey wriggled out of Roman's grasp, a squeal of glee escaping his lips as he pelted across the room. Phoenix turned in time to see him fly into Altair's arms. Father spun son around, laughing with delight at the embrace. Audra was on her feet within the second, marching to them. Altair set Trey down and opened his arms to allow her in, but she smacked him upside the head.

"Too long," she snapped. "Pay attention."

Before Altair could respond Audra wrapped her arms around him, pulling Trey in with her. Phoenix watched the reunion with high hopes, searching behind Altair for Castor.

He wasn't there.

Turning, she saw Maverick, Gwen, Noelle, and Eric looking at her. Three of them had pitying expressions, but Eric offered a small smile of understanding. He jerked his head toward the hall, and Phoenix nodded.

She wanted a moment to recompose herself. The pressure of tears behind her eyelids overwhelmed her. Eric excused himself and she followed, passing Altair, Audra, and Trey on their way out.

"I just need a minute," Phoenix said, brushing a tear away when they stepped out of the dining room.

"No you don't." Eric held Reed with his right arm, supporting him with his hip. With a jerk of his thumb of his free hand, Eric turned her attention to a bench down the hall.

Castor sat bent double, his head in his hands. He looked up at the sound of Eric's voice, startled to see them.

"How--" Phoenix began, but Eric cut her off.

"No one knows him better than I do. Reunions in front of a group of people aren't really his thing. Go on." Without another word, Eric kissed Phoenix on the cheek and left her.

For a long moment, they just stared at each other, Castor not rising from the bench. Anger at his absence flared, and Phoenix's expression hardened.

"It's not easy to tell time up there," Castor said, lamely, pointing toward the ceiling. "Phoenix I--I'm sorry. I'm sorry I brought your memories back. I'm sorry I misled you--lied to you, without you knowing it. I'm sorry I got involved. I shouldn't have put you through that. You're just so--and I thought..." he trailed off, splaying his hands before him. He dropped his gaze down to the floor.

She didn't say anything, standing her ground, wondering how long she could keep it up. She studied him, looking for a change. His hair had grown, no longer quite as shorn as the Army usually preferred. His square jaw tensed as he sat, his straight nose just one of his many adorable sharp angles. He lifted his clear green eyes back to her, sucking in a breath.

"Look, I understand if you don't want to see me for awhile, or ever. I just didn't want to anger you enough to start a fire in front of everyone. I know I've done wrong, and I'm sorry--"

Phoenix crossed to the bench in two quick strides, cutting off his sentence by grabbing his face and pressing her lips against his. He stiffened in surprise, but he didn't pull away--not that Phoenix would have let him. He opened his mouth beneath hers and she followed suit, kissing him with pent-up passion she'd held in her since she was fifteen. He pulled her into his arms, bringing her onto his lap.

They spent several long moments together without saying another word.

#

The sun had nearly set, tinging the sky with rosy light. Phoenix found Maverick on the balcony of the proclamation room, leaning his forearms against the railing. She came up beside him, staring out over Osha.

"So did I hear wedding bells this afternoon?" he asked, grinning at her. She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but another voice cut across her.

"Phoenix and Castor sitting in a tree," Eric stepped out onto the balcony, grinning as he joined them on her other side. "K-I-S-S-I--"

"Yes, we all know how to spell," Phoenix said, cutting him off as she blushed. "And no. No wedding bells. Don't you think you and your future queen need to focus on your own first?"

Maverick gave a wave of dismissal. "It's sort of planned. I don't know. I don't really care about the wedding--I care about the person I'm marrying."

"Ooooh," Eric and Phoenix said together. It was Maverick's turn to roll his eyes. Eric faced forward, staring out at Osha.

"I'll be honest," he said, heaving a heavy sigh. "When I looked forward and imagined what my life would be, standing here in this spot with the two of you wasn't in the picture."

"Mine either," said Maverick. "But now that I'm here, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Do you think we can do it?" Phoenix asked, glancing from left to right at her brothers. "Do you think we can lead this country to a time of peace and prosperity?"

"We can try," Maverick said, taking her left hand. "We'll do our best."

"And if we hit a few bumps in the road," Eric said, taking her right hand. "We'll do it together."

Phoenix squeezed their hands, her heart swelling. "I think this is going to be our greatest adventure yet."

They stood in silence, ready for whatever came next.

The End.

Awwwwww the feels! All the things came together. Eric is raising Reed, Phoenix and Castor are together, Mav and Noelle are planning a wedding - everyone is together. Good wrap up, right?

I mean, I totally know how everyone else ends up, so if you have any questions about YOUR favorite characters or just the story in general, put them below and I'll let you know how it all goes.

Love you all. Thank you for making my journey with Wattpad exciting and enjoyable. Keep being amazing, and if you're on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, look me up. Or you can sign up for my newsletter at www.swanitude.com if you haven't already.

This is my last Wattpad novel. You might see excerpts of future published novels here in the future, but my time writing for Wattpad has come to an end. I hope to see you on other social media sites so we can stay connected. I also hope you continue to enjoy the books I have here on Wattpad, as they will be staying put for the foreseeable future.

Keep being awesome. Keep up the good fight. Love yourself and embrace your #swanitude.

Sincerely,
Kelsey