Page 338 of Relics & Thrones

“Never,” she vowed, holding him close.

“Then tell me,” he prompted. “How has your ‘more’ changed?”

Taking a moment to reflect on her feelings, Evylin paused. “I suppose it hasn’t changed so much as it has grown,” she corrected herself. “Now, I see that what matters most to me in this world—what is worth living for—it’s still you, but it’s also Ryen. And now, it includes our other child as well. No matter what challenges life throws at us, life is enough because I have each of you.”

The purest smile tugged at Deckard’s lips, lighting up his green-blue eyes, which sparkled with joy. “Evylin,” he uttered her name as if it were the most beautiful word in existence.

“Yes, Jonn?”

“I love you.”

“I love you.”

Together on the dry grass plain of Nettershire, Evylin rested her head against Deckard’s shoulder. She closed her eyes, feeling his contentment pulse through her along with the shared sentiment from the Space Relic he wore around his neck. The Relic had begun to convey its emotions to them both in subtle waves of energy, no matter which of them was wearing it. It was something all the Bonded couples experienced, as they’d learned from their discussions with their fellow chancellors and commanders.

Evylin smiled, the gentle cool of her magic fluttering across her skin as Deckard traced circles over her arm. After five years, her love for him had only grown, and she couldn’t fathom how it would expand in the wake of the centuries ahead of them. As always, her heart panged at the thought that their Ryen and this new life burgeoning inside her might not be part of their prolonged existence. Her world felt so full with the “more” of her children. She couldn’t bear a day without them.

Yet, after everything they’d endured, the truth Hewitt taught her remained ever certain: It was up to her to choose what “more” looked like for her life. Death and heartbreak were inevitable, but along the way, new family and hope could be found. She’d lost her cousin, her uncle, and many dear friends throughout their journey. And she’d found a husband, a brother, a vast family, two children, and so many more companions who made her life even more complete.

In her heart, Evylin could almost feel Hewitt’s presence as he surely smiled down at her from the Heavens.

Life was enough because of the people at Evylin’s side, those who remained and those who’d departed. And she would never forget their love, so long as she lived.