VOLUME 4: ETERNAL ECLIPSE
Twenty Years After Victory
Kieran watched Finn spar with his own students—his son was thirty-four now, head combat instructor at the academy. Confident, skilled, everything they'd hoped he'd become.
"He's good," Rhydian said, joining him. Silver threaded through his husband's dark hair now. Mortal aging, slow but visible. Kieran had it too—lines around his eyes, silver at his temples.
They were aging together. Beautifully.
"He's better than good," Kieran said proudly. "He's a legend in his own right."
Mira was now thirty-five, a diplomat traveling between kingdoms. Elara was thirty-one, a scholar researching moon fae history with Serina. The twins were twenty-five, both warriors in the Shadowlands army.
Their children had grown. Had lives, purposes, futures.
"I miss when they were small," Rhydian admitted. "When they needed us constantly."
"They still need us. Just differently." Kieran took his hand. "And we have—" He paused as shouting came from inside the castle. "—that."
A small child ran out—maybe four years old, wolf ears visible, laughing as Finn chased him.
"GRANDFATHER!" The boy launched himself at Rhydian. "Save me from Papa! He says I can't have cookies before dinner!"
Grandfather. The word still made Kieran's heart swell.
Finn had adopted three years ago—a werewolf orphan named River. Their first grandchild.
"Your Papa is right," Rhydian said, but he was smiling. "But maybe one cookie. If you promise to eat all your vegetables."
"I promise!"
Finn shook his head, amused. "You're terrible at being the stern grandfather."
"I'm excellent at being the fun grandfather. There's a difference." Rhydian handed River a cookie, watching the boy run off happily. "Besides, I earned the right to spoil grandchildren."
Kieran laughed. They'd survived godhood, war, mortality. Now they were grandfathers. Life was strange and wonderful.
"Mira sent word," Finn said. "She's coming home next month. And she's bringing someone. A partner."
"Really?" Kieran's eyebrows rose. Mira had always been private about relationships.
"A fae noble from the Eastern Territories. Apparently it's serious." Finn grinned. "You two might have more grandchildren soon."
Through the bond, Kieran felt Rhydian's joy. Their family growing, expanding, thriving.
"Twenty years of peace," Rhydian said. "Think we get another twenty?"
"I think we get as many as we want," Kieran replied. "We've earned it."
They stood together, watching their grandson play, their son teach, their kingdom flourish.
Twenty years down. Four hundred eighty to go.
And every moment perfect.