Brahm leaned forward, obviously intrigued. “And how will these representatives be chosen?”
“By a popular election. I’ve been studying in my spare time—”
Gideon snorted at that statement, and Evie shot him a wry look.
“And I’ve devised a system.” She pointed at Malita. “I’m hoping you’ll help me implement it. It’s not designing and installing a village water system, but it’s not exactly herding goats, either.”
Malita stiffened. She turned to Niffin and searched his face.
He knew Malita almost as well as he knew himself. “You can handle it,” he said. “It is the perfect job for you.”
A tentative smile played on her lips. “You believe so?”
“I do.”
Malita faced Evie again. “Then I would be... honored.”
Evie turned to Brahm and Hannah. “I haven’t forgotten my promise to you two, either. Neither have I forgotten the conditions of that promise. I will not wage open war against Aeolus Daeg, but I will sign a contract to purchase goods from your foundry. I’ll encourage other Inselgrish businesses to do the same, at least until the day Inselgrau builds a reliable foundry of its own. I’ll do whatever I can to promote business with the Schulzes, and I’ll openly shun the Daegs. I’ll do everything I can from here to destroy him financially and socially, but I won’t kill him.”
Hannah’s eyes gleamed. “I’d rather watch him die a poor and broken man, anyway.”
Evie turned her gaze to Niffin. “And you... I’ve already talked to Justina. I know the choice she gave you. Have you made a decision?”
Warmth rose from Niffin’s stomach into his cheeks. For once he had nothing clever to say. So instead, he offered the sweet, simple truth. “I’m staying. This is my home now.” He squeezed Malita’s hand. “You are my family.”
Evie exhaled, shoulders slumping with obvious relief. Had she really been worried he wouldn’t stay? Did she really want him that badly?
“You’re my family too,” she said. “All of you.”
Evie rose from her desk, and everyone else stood. She stopped as if surprised that they had all followed her cue. They had always followed her. Maybe someday that would stop surprising her.
“Um, that concludes our business. So... let’s get back to the party.”
As a unit, they all walked out of the room, out of the house, and into the brisk winter cold and sunshine. No clouds marred the bright-blue sky, but an unexpectedly balmy breeze blew up from the fairgrounds, encircling them like an embrace. A warm hug. The loving affection of an appreciative queen demonstrating her contentment and joy.
Her family was here, reunited as one.
At long last, they were all finally home.
—-THE END—-
But... don’t stop here. Please keep reading for more, including our Bonus Content—not just one, but two Special Sneak Previews:
ROTA FORTUNAE by Isu Yin & Fae Yang
and
IN THE COMPANY OF THE DEAD by Ciara Ballintyne
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Acknowledgements
A lot of people have given their time to the making of this series, and it’s an undertaking I couldn’t have accomplished alone.
First thanks go to God for making everything possible, not only the words, but the opportunity and privilege.
To my family who support and encourage me always, I love you.
To Dave Lane, I am grateful that you gave me this fabulous opportunity through Evolved Publishing—a wonderful home to an author who appreciates the efforts of a great team. Sue Fairchild, thank you for undertaking this long and arduous journey with me as my editor. Evie and her friends are better and stronger because of you, and so am I. Thanks for you editing insight as well as your quiet spiritual reassurances. And thanks to Richard Tran for developing a series of original and fantastical covers that truly illustrate Evie’s world.
Thanks to Red Adept Editing and Susie D. for adding the polish and shine.
Without Mary Fan, this series would have stuttered and stumbled many more times than it did. Thanks for reading early drafts. Thanks for letting me bounce ideas off you. Thanks for reassuring me that my concepts might actually work. Thanks for helping me refine them.
To the readers who took a chance on Evie from book one, I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey, and thanks for being here with me until the end.
~~~
Please keep reading for....
About the Author
Karissa lives in North Carolina with her kid, her husband, the occasional in-law, and a very hairy husky. Some of her favorite things are coffee, dark chocolate, super heroes and Star Wars. She can quote Princess Bride verbatim. She loves to read and has a sweet tooth for fantasy, sci-fi, and anything in between.
On the weekends, you'll find her at flea-markets looking for rusty things to reuse and repurpose. In the summer she's camping and kayaking at the lake, and in the winter, she's hopefully somewhere on a snowy ski slope.
