Athena moved slowly across the center of the garden, her fingers laced securely with Ewan’s. Their wedding bands caught the warm lantern-light whenever they spun, glinting like quiet promises.
Music drifted around them, the kind that seed written solely for their steps.
Her gown, Areso’s masterpiece, shimred with each turn, the silk catching the light in pale waves that made her look as though she were dancing inside a gentle moonbeam.
Peace. That was the first thing she felt.
Not the stunned, fragile peace that ca after surviving disaster, but the deep, settling kind that soaked into her bones. It was as if every wound, every chase, every fear had finally loosened its grip on her.
Ewan leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the tip of her nose, making her chuckle despite the lump rising in her throat.
His eyes sparkled—that warm blue she had loved since childhood—and she followed his gaze toward Kathleen and Nathaniel, who were tearing across the garden after Kendra and Cairo, their laughter floating into the night.
Hours ago, this sa garden—Old Mr. Thorne’s treasured space—had looked completely different. Only white ribbons had hung from the trees, simple floral strands trailing down like snow-filled vines.
Chairs had been arranged neatly in a small circle, the priest standing in the middle waiting for them. Only their closest family had been present, and the vows... oh, the vows had undone them all.
Florence had cried so hard that Old Mr. Thorne had needed to steady her. Even Ewan had choked up mid-sentence, his voice trembling faintly as he slid the ring onto her finger.
Athena had cried too. She hadn’t even tried to hide it.
It had felt like a lifeti coming—this union, this mont, this sealing of hearts long torn apart by tragedy, ti, and secrets. She was grateful they had earned their way back to one another. Grateful that battle after battle had failed to crush what was ant to bloom.
Now the garden had been transford entirely. Rows of lanterns floated overhead, suspended on nearly invisible threads, glowing like captured fireflies. The pathways shimred with golden dust that Areso and Chelsea had sprinkled earlier.
Tables wrapped in fine lace stood beneath blossom-heavy trees, their branches tangled with ribbons and soft lights. The whole yard looked like a fairytale night co to life.
Glasses clinked from all corners. Laughter rippled beneath the music. Sandro cheered as Ewan spun her gently, making the skirt of her dress bloom in a slow, graceful arc. She felt weightless. Beautiful. Alive.
Old Mr. Thorne and his wife danced near one of the lamp posts. Both were smiling through glistening eyes, probably reliving their own vows ages ago.
Athena sighed softly, leaning her head against Ewan’s chest as they glided. It was true that evil never slept for long, she knew that. But for tonight—tonight was theirs.
Ewan’s hand stroked the back of her waist. "What are you thinking about?" he murmured, his voice low, velvety, pulling her eyes back to him.
A slow smile curved her lips. "Everything. And nothing," she whispered. "Mostly just... this. Us."
He studied her like she was a miracle that had stepped down to dance only with him. His heart swelled, pressed tight against his ribs. He still couldn’t fully grasp that she was here, standing before him as his wife.
His wife.
The little boy who had fallen hopelessly in love with her had known sothing he hadn’t been old enough to understand.
If anything, he could count falling into the tub a blessing, as it had restored mories of this fiery woman that was his now, when she was younger.
Oh, how wild she had been! Dragging him through bushes, telling him nas of flowers.
She nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Stop looking at like that."
"How am I supposed to stop?" he murmured, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. "Look at you."
She tried and failed not to blush, so she stuck her tongue out at him before he caught her waist and gave her a slow, dramatic twirl.
Her laughter rose bright and clear, a sound that made his lungs feel too full, made the world seem too gentle. For once in his life, peace didn’t feel like sothing that would slip away at the first hint of dawn.
John had known what he was doing, gifting them that seaside house, he realized now.
Athena’s gaze wandered as Ewan held her close again, slowing their movents. Her eyes drifted toward the tallest tree in the garden—the one strung with cascading lights—just in ti to catch Gianna gesturing wildly at Zane.
The two seed to be in a fierce whisper-argunt. Gianna’s brows furrowed deeply before she huffed, spun on her heel, and stord away.
Athena snorted. "Will those two ever talk about what happened between them?"
"I’m not getting involved," Ewan replied imdiately, not even looking. "Whatever they’re doing is their problem. I’m only interested in you tonight."
She felt laughter bubbling up, but before she could reply, his hand curled under her jaw and he kissed her. Cheers erupted around them.
Ewan pulled away just enough to rest his forehead against hers. "Are you ready for our honeymoon, wife?"
Athena smiled and traced her thumb across his cheek. "Of course, my husband. I can’t wait. Let’s get out of here."
And for the first ti since she could rember, everything felt exactly as it should be.
The End.
_______
******AUTHOR’S NOTE*******
GUYYYSSSSSSS!!! 💃🔥
We. Are. FINALLY. At. The. End. Of. This. Book!!!
I’m actually screaming because—HELLO?! I just finished a whole book for the first ti in my life! ?? The queen of "I’ll update tomorrow"?? 😭😂
Thank you. Truly.
Thank you for reading, for staying, for loving these chaotic characters as much as I do. I swear they’re grateful too... sowhere in their fictional hearts.
Thank you for your patience when I took breaks, when life happened, when I uploaded Chapters that were fighting for their lives grammar-wise, wrong Chapters too. You guys stayed. You kept reading. You kept believing. I’m so, so grateful.
And listen... Don’t pack your bags yet. The ride isn’t really over.
Because BOOK 2 in the Dark Revenge Series is OUT! (Dark Revenge Of A Jilted Bride)
Yesss!! Co and follow Gianna and Zane, those two stubborn, explosive, gorgeous disasters. Their story is also going to give: romance, cri, mystery, revenge, pain, healing, tension, and premium troubles. Another full course al. 🍷✨
Please co along. Read, scream, cry, theorize.
And of course... gift your girl. 👀✨
Creating is HARD, my loves. Gift , cheer up, hug with your golden tickets . 😌
I love you all. Thank you for making this journey unforgettable.
See you in Book 2! 💜📚🔥
And please drop a review on this completed read!
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