Cursed by Darkness (Once Upon A Curse)

Epilogue

BODIN

2.5 years later…

O pening the portal door, Bodin took a deep breath. He’d wanted to come earlier with Juniper and the others, but one of the noblemen had cornered him to ask about crop taxes, which led to concerns about prices and food shortages this winter. What should have been a few minutes of conversation lasted for hours as he walked through Kehlir to ensure his people everything would be fine.

Now, he was exhausted and just wanted to fall into bed. He’d promised this day to June though. It meant too much to her—and to him—to change their plans.

When he and June realized Ronna had let him keep his portal magic, June came to him with a brilliant idea. She had suggested creating healthy fields within one of the portals that could supply people with what they needed if there wasn’t enough. He immediately went to work on it. If he could help their people in this way, he would. He wasn’t going to waste this gift.

He still wanted to keep it a secret for the most part. Because he could feel when people were in them, he didn’t want to simply open them to everyone. It was overwhelming with too many at once. Plus, he wasn’t sure what would happen if he were to die or suddenly lose his magic. There was no way of knowing if these places would stay, and he didn’t want to risk anyone winking out of existence or getting trapped.

In the end, he’d shared the truth with only his advisors and other trusted staff so that they could help share the resources across the kingdom. They had even sent goods to Forosse and Gilarn a few times. It was exhausting to recreate and regrow everything, but Bodin could manage it enough to make a difference.

Sounds of laughter and music welcomed him as he made his way down the fictitious streets of Nortussa. As soon as he found his family, the weariness fled his body, replaced with wonder. He paused on the corner, in the shadows of an empty building, to watch. June twirled under Hugo’s arm. He tugged her around, laughing and moving along with the upbeat melody coming from enchanted, invisible instruments. They had invited their family, closest friends, and trusted staff to celebrate with them today. A handful of people danced in the street while more chatted near the tables covered in delicious foods that were popular in Forosse. Bodin crept closer, using his own dark magic to stay concealed, wanting to surprise his wife and friends.

He stopped by one of the dessert tables. From the other side, little fingers blindly reached up, searching for sweets. Bodin had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. Laurent appeared and scooped up Elias, tickling the little boy’s stomach. “What are you doing over here?”

Elias screeched in laughter, his cheeks turning red as he tried to squirm away from his uncle. Laurent stopped and narrowed his eyes. “Hmmm…” He shifted the boy to hold in one arm as he glanced around. It became clear a moment later that he was checking to make sure he wasn’t caught when he grabbed a chocolate, bit off half, and then gave the rest to the toddler. “Don’t tell.”

Stepping out of the shadows, Bodin cleared his throat.

Laurent merely grinned with a shrug. “I knew you were there.”

“Liar.” He rounded the table.

Elias grinned and held out his arms toward him. “Papa.”

“Hi.” Bodin took his son then grabbed a cloth napkin from the table. Cleaning his chocolate-covered mouth, he asked, “Are you having fun?”

The young prince nodded before pointing to the table. “More.”

Sighing, he said, “Fine, one more.”

As Bodin reached for a small square piece of cake, another voice said, “You didn’t even try to tell him no.”

Bodin gave a bite to Elias then held the rest so he wouldn’t shove the whole thing in his mouth at once. Grinning, he turned to face his wife. “It’s a celebration. Let him have the good stuff.”

Shaking her head, Juniper stepped closer, clearly fighting a smile of her own. “Fine, but when he’s running up and down the street from the sugar, you’re in charge of chasing him.”

“Laurent started it, so I think he’s on baby duty tonight.” Bodin leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Happy Unity Day and anniversary, Sunshine.”

Laurent laughed. “You know Uncle Laurent would love to, but…” He glanced toward their family and friends huddled across the street. A few of them were splitting off to join the dancers. Including a certain prince. “I think I’m being summoned to dance, so I can’t.”

Apparently, they were talking again this week. Bodin couldn’t keep up with their back and forth. It had been a long couple of years.

Laurent whirled around before either could stop them. They stared after him, both shaking their heads. Bodin gave Elias the other half of his cake bite and then draped an arm over June’s shoulders.

“How are they doing?” he asked, pointing a finger to where Iliana completely ignored Delroy with her back angled to him while talking to Nadine. The official betrothal agreement had been signed, but she had managed to convince her father not to make them wed right away. King Dag had agreed on three years to give them time to get to know one another and grow used to the idea.

But that time was almost up, and they had spent most of it avoiding each other as much as possible. The two visited here often, sometimes in the same duration, but they managed to ignore each other a lot. And when they didn’t, they were arguing. Bodin didn’t even fully understand what caused their hatred.

“She doesn’t want to get married to him,” June said when he asked her about it. “She thinks that he’ll smother her, trap her into a life she has no desire for—where she’s the dutiful wife who sits by and only takes care of the children, despite being the heir to the throne. She thinks Del will be named king instead of consort, and then all the power will go to him.”

Ah , that made sense. Iliana was a warrior, a fighter. That was why she’d been out on that battlefield so long ago. It was no surprise that she didn’t want a calmer lifestyle with a man raised in a kingdom that thought so little of women. In the years since that final battle, Bodin had come to know Del better, however, and he didn’t think the prince would treat her the same. None of June’s brothers seemed to agree with their kingdom’s ways—likely because of how their own mother’s life had gone before her death. Not to mention their sister’s imprisonment before she moved here.

“I think there’s also some sort of pissing contest going on,” Juniper went on. “He’s always been the best swordsman around. She claims to be better, which he hates, but he won’t spar with her to find out.”

“Stubborn a?—”

“Butt.” Juniper smacked his stomach playfully with a pointed look at their son.

“More,” Elias said, oblivious as he looked at the desserts.

“No more,” she said, laughing.

Richard joined them at the table just when the toddler started to cry. Seeing his grandfather, Elias all but jumped out of Bodin’s arms toward the man.

Laughing, Richard lifted his hands to take him. “What’s the matter, little prince?”

Their son pointed at the table and mumbled, “More chocolate.”

Though, he was missing a couple of letters there in the middle, so it sounded like, “Mow choc-yet.”

To his credit, Richard nodded and went along with it. Since finding out the truth of their relationship, he’d really stepped up as a father for June. And when Elias was born, he was there, standing at the head of the bed, next to Bodin. He’d cried seeing the baby. Everyone had.

Bodin had been terrified, and he knew his father-in-law had been there for him just as much as June and the baby. They really had become a family. One filled with both blood relatives and friends. Hugo lived with them now, he and Juni more than making up for the time they’d lost. They were now closer than ever. Rafe visited more often than not, staying for as long as he could get away with. A few of June’s other brothers had come to visit as well.

But most importantly, her mother had been here. She came after they returned from the final battle and things settled a little. They had sat together in June’s favorite nook on the river for an entire day, talking, crying, and holding each other. Her mother had apologized countless times, explaining her reasons for it all, but Juniper already knew the truth. Everything had been done out of love. And for that, June had forgiven her before she even uttered a word.

She even made for the birth of Elias.

Her reunion with Richard had been bittersweet; it seemed neither knew how to act now that everyone knew the truth. They were cordial but distant. Her mother had returned multiple times, and each time, things got a little easier between everyone. Though, Bodin didn’t think the tension between her and Richard would ever fade.

The King of Forosse hadn’t addressed it at all. Even when they went to Nortussa two years ago for the real festival, he barely spoke to them beyond a greeting that was undoubtedly for show. All forms of communication went through her brothers and mother. And everyone was fine with that. June had been more afraid of what he would do to her mother than anything, but he had carried on as normal, as if it didn’t bother him in the slightest.

That hurt June, but she could pretend nearly as well as the man she once called father. It broke Bodin’s heart that she felt the need to though.

“I’ve got him,” Richard said, snapping Bodin back into the present. He gave June a look that Bodin couldn’t decipher. “You two go have fun. It’s your anniversary.”

He carried Elias over to where her mother and Rafe now stood with Nadine, Iliana, and Delroy. As soon as he neared, the little boy reached for his grandmother with a grin. Richard handed him over with a smile of his own, always happy to share his time with their grandson when she was there.

When June had asked about naming him after Bodin’s brother, Bodin had broken down in tears. It meant so much to him—to both of them.

Elias had started showing signs of light magic like June, but she also saw shadows swirling around him one night after he’d fallen asleep. It seemed he had both of their powers. They didn’t quite know what that meant, but they would help him learn to control both to the best of their ability.

He was a part of all three kingdoms. He was the future of this realm, and he would serve as proof that light and dark could co-exist in peace. And Bodin couldn’t wait to see what he did with it all.

Laurent’s laughter caught Bodin’s attention. The first time Bodin had brought his wife here, he promised they’d return some day with more people to truly celebrate. Each year since, they’d invited more and more to join them. Bodin had never expected to share his secret portals with anyone beyond his closest friends, but without the Ombrete haunting one, he didn’t mind letting others enjoy the spaces from time to time.

“I know this is your favorite day and celebration…” Bodin pulled Juniper into his arms. “But will you come with me?”

She smiled. “Always.”

Taking her hand, he led her away from the revelry and back to the palace. They walked out the door and to another. He paused outside the place he’d feared for so long. The place where he had almost lost June. He reached into his pocket and withdrew the twelfth key. Without hesitation, he handed it to her.

“What did you do?” She raised a brow but moved to unlock the door, not a shred of hesitation. Her trust in him never ceased to amaze him. He pushed it open and waited for her response.

Her loud gasp followed by her running inside made him chuckle. He trailed after her, closing the door and locking it so no one would disturb them. In their three years of marriage, they had learned to take these moments when they could. June had taken her past love of sneaking off to explore and turned it into sneaking off with him. She had a penchant for getting him riled up at the worst times, and he loved it. It had led to them having sex in several places around the palace. He could still perfectly remember when he got caught fucking her on his throne. She’d laughed until she cried.

Bodin wasn’t one to share, but she seemed to thrive on the risk of someone catching them. And who was he to say no to her? He would do anything his wife asked.

Juniper spun around over and over as she looked in every direction. It was like she couldn’t see everything in the cave fast enough. There was too much to take in at once.

“Bodin,” she breathed. She took another step then yanked her foot back quickly. The soft, mossy floor glowed when she put her foot down again. With each step, it lit up beneath her in a brilliant shade of purple. It was another cave, but she seemed to love the other one so much that he wanted to create an even more magical one. He’d started working on it months ago to surprise her with it today.

Along one side of the tunnel, the crystal wall glittered from the various colors of bioluminescence. Across from it, a stream trickled by. Bodin grabbed her by the waist to guide her to it, knowing she hadn’t grasped what was in the water yet. Juniper sucked in another breath and knelt near the rocky ledge that served as a small barrier between the path and equally bioluminescent fish swimming beyond.

“I want to bring Elias next time, so I thought a little railing would be good,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

When she didn’t say anything, he briefly worried if he’d done something wrong. Perhaps it wasn’t high enough or she didn’t like it after all. Then, he heard her quiet sniffling.

“June?” He squatted next to her, unsure what to do.

She turned toward him, the glowing cavern lighting up her smile. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she said, “It’s perfect.”

“There’s more.” Bodin pulled her to her feet but didn’t let go. Nor did he move. He would wait here in this spot as long as she needed.

“More?”

“Mmhmm.” He smoothed a hand down her hair, kissing her temple. “Want to see?”

Before she could answer, the sound of splashing reached them. Juniper pulled away to look down the tunnel, but she wouldn’t be able to see the rest from here. Entwining their fingers, he led her farther into the cave.

They rounded the natural curve in the path, similar to the other cave, and she froze on the spot.

“Bodin,” she repeated, her voice full of glee as she stared at the underground pond and its surroundings. The banks to the right spanned into the cave more, allowing space for furniture. He’d created a sitting area, but there were also two beds dotting the wall, along with a fireplace and table. They could live in here if they wanted.

The left-hand side was made up of a waterfall and several large boulders, and the stream turned into a river that flowed out the rear of the cave… allowing for the beautiful creatures currently lying on the boulders to swim in to visit.

“Mermaids?” June whispered, covering her mouth.

Bodin moved to stand behind her, enveloping her in a hug as he leaned down to rest his chin on her shoulder. “You said growing up you loved that fairy tale with the mermaids. So, I read it, looked at the sketches and paintings, and brought them to life for you.”

“I casually mentioned that once, years ago,” she said.

He squeezed her a little tighter. “I remember everything you tell me.”

Juniper spun in his arms, making him straighten, and put her palms on his chest. “Do you think they can leave for a little while? Because I need to tell you something now.”

“You don’t like them anymore?” His heart broke a little, but then she tilted her head with a furrowed brow.

“Of course I do; they’re mermaids .” She laughed. “It’s not that. But there is a huge bed over there that we’re probably going to make good use of after I tell you this, and I don’t want an audience.”

A million thoughts rushed through his mind in every direction. Closing his eyes, he reached for his magic. Because they were created by his imagination, he could communicate to them without speaking out loud. It was difficult, but he could do it. A splash sounded, followed by another and another, and soon, they were alone.

“Where are they going?” June asked.

He opened his eyes and glanced around to make sure he didn’t miss one. “The river leads out to an ocean. They have a home beyond this cave.”

Juniper looked at him in awe. “You created a home for them? Bodin, the details of this world…”

“I’ve been working on it for a while. I wanted it to be perfect. And creating living beings is tricky because I don’t want to need to control their every move. They need minds of their own.” He bent to kiss her. “At least with the basic skills to take care of themselves.”

June shook her head before tugging him back down into another kiss.

After a couple moments, she pulled away and headed toward the sitting area and makeshift bedroom. She went to the large bed against the cavern wall and then faced him, leaning back on her hands on the edge of the mattress. The soft mattress that was a replication of the one they usually shared in Gilarn when they visited Iliana.

Bodin slowly walked toward his wife, loving the way her lips curved up as she continued examining everything. When he neared, she said, “It’s pretty close to perfect.”

“Pretty close?” he asked with a deep chuckle. “What’s missing?”

She turned her head this way and that with a finger on her chin, as if considering as she looked around. Settling her gaze on the smaller bed nearby, she shrugged. “Well, we’re going to need another bed.”

He nearly tripped on his way to her. Was she saying what he thought she was?

Juniper met his gaze and put a hand on her stomach. “Not for a while though. We’ll need a cradle first.”

In two long strides, he was there, covering her mouth with his. He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her against him. Setting her on their bed, he speared his fingers through her long blond locks and deepened the kiss.

He pulled back, a smile breaking out across his face as he slid a hand to her cheek, a feeling of awe overtaking him. “You’re pregnant?”

Juniper nodded with tears in her eyes and a grin to match his. “And I had a dream that it was a little girl this time.”

His breath caught in his throat. He wanted more children, especially after seeing how close June was with her brothers and how well she’d done giving birth the first time. Elias needed siblings to play with, grow up with. But a little princess to spoil and protect… Bodin hadn’t even realized just how much he wanted that until now.

He hadn’t realized a lot of things before Juniper entered his life. As he kissed her once again, guiding her farther onto the bed and climbing up with her, he sent a silent thank you to the goddess for always watching over them.

A familiar warm breeze caressed the back of his neck in response.

Juniper had felt a connection to Ronna throughout her entire life, and after what happened that day on the battlefield so long ago, they knew it to be true. For some reason they may never know, Ronna had taken a special liking to Juniper. She’d set them on their paths toward one another, changing their fates.

But then again, it was impossible not to love this incredible woman, even without divine intervention. She lit up his entire world, bringing it to life after they’d both spent so long in the shadows.

And together, they had found love and happiness. Together, they had stopped a war, saved their kingdom, and brought new life into this world.

Together, they would live happily ever after.

The End