Forever (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale #5)

Epilogue

The next few weeks were a whirlwind as the Fae planned her wedding to Teague and the coronation soon after. Teague kept his promise and returned to the In Between to help Ferah cross over. He also found her mother’s soul, but he didn’t just help her to the other side. He was able to do one better.

It seemed no one knew what to expect when a rogue prince who hardly played by the rules became the official Death Reaper. He was a Fate, and a Royal, and more powerful than any before him, so the rules became guidelines, and he bent them all.

Mina cried a river of tears when her father’s spirit appeared to her in the Royal gardens. James was smiling, his short mustache wiggling over his teeth. A second later, her mother appeared by his side in her full siren glory, and her father didn’t seem to mind. They both waved, and she watched as her father wrapped his arms around her mother before they slowly faded out. It was the best gift anyone could have given to her.

Her grandparents and brother finally made it back to the Fae plane, and Charlie seemed to be loving the siren life. He was wholly acclimated to the Fae world and customs. His clothes were covered in nets and shells, and he preferred to run around barefoot. He had even made friends with a younger siren boy.

Kino, Genni, and Reef frequently swam up the new networks of smaller streams in and around the new palace grounds, and Mina saw the reason the streams had been created. Because of her—for her family and friends. Nix loved to swim the streams too, and he would frequently pop out of the water and place shells and rocks along the sidewalks that lined the streams. Charlie planted his mother’s remembrance seed in the palace gardens, and it sprouted into a beautiful and fitting red orchid, aptly named a ruby siren.

Everything seemed to be in place, except that she couldn’t help but worry over her friends—the Godmothers, Nan, and Brody. The natural gates were still open, and there were hundreds of Fae that roamed the human plane—many evil ones who had been released when the Grimoire was destroyed the first time. She had some contact with the GMs, and it seemed like they had moved to a new location and were rebuilding, but no one was handling the rampant Fae.

Mina had wanted to go initially, but Teague said that was too dangerous for them all. If something happened to her, the Fae world would collapse again. She now understood the Fates’ dilemma and the reason for sending the Grimm brothers after the Fae.

They’d done it out of desperation, and Mina was about to do the same.

Mina and Teague spent hours discussing it, and they agreed. Teague sent for Ever and Nix and had them brought to the throne room. They stood in front of the thrones on the floor, so they would be on the same level when Ever and Nix approached.

Their dear friends—and now subjects—looked nervous, because things had changed. Especially now that Mina wore royal Fae robes of gold and white, and Teague wore his own in shades of gray and black. Behind the two thrones, on the wall, mysteriously appeared the betrothal picture of her and Teague that she had been looking for in the storage room. Mina had a suspicion that Teague was the one who hid it and was also the one who made it reappear.

Teague and Mina laughed when Nix curtsied and Ever bowed.

When everyone’s laughter died down, Mina asked them, “What are your plans for the future?”

Ever ran her fingers over her skirt and looked wary. “We’re going to stay with you. Remember, I’m your Godmother,” Ever answered.

Mina shook her head. “There’s no need anymore. The curse is broken.”

“Oh, yeah.” Ever’s wings slowly dipped in sadness.

Nix threw his arm over her shoulders and nudged her gently. “You can always be my guardian.”

Ever gave a wry smile, but she was still sad. “I just thought that we make such a good team. It can’t be over.”

Mina turned and picked up the Grimoire from the throne behind her. “It’s not. There are still hundreds of rogue Fae that can’t be left to roam free on the human plane.” She handed the book to Ever.

Ever’s hands trembled as she held the book. “I can’t take this. I’m not a Grimm.”

“Grimm is just a title. Think of it as a job description,” Teague said. “And as I’ve proven, those can be loosely followed. I think you’ll do just fine. You’ll make a phenomenal keeper of the Grimoire.”

Ever ran her fingers over the gold lettering and opened up the pages. Her wings fluttered in anticipation. “I’m in, as long as you’re sure you don’t need me.”

Mina smiled. “I’ve got my very own Reaper to protect me.” She nudged Teague, who placed his arm around her waist in affirmation. “Although as a Grimm with the Grimoire, you may need a Godmother.” Mina looked at Nix who seemed to balk at the idea.

“Nope, huh uh. I’m not going to do it if I have to be called a Godmother.” He puffed out his cheeks and drawled in a thick accent. “You can call me the Godfather.”

Ever rolled her eyes.

He grinned and winked.

Mina smiled. Her best friends were up for the challenge. She knew that Ever and Nix would look after Nan and Brody. The Godmothers, once they were reestablished, would help Ever as well. She hated that she was unable to help over there in the world she loved so much, but the Grimoire would be in very capable hands.

Mina let out a deep breath. “I’ve waited so long to be free of the curse. And now that I am, I can’t continue the quest. My story is done, but your story, Ever… is just beginning.”

The End.