The Warrior’s Broken Mate novel Chapter 131

The morning sun filtered gently through the trees as Elias and I stood before the Ash Queen, both of us cleaned and clothed in simple garments that still carried a faint shimmer from the heart’s power. It felt strange to be so ordinary again, after everything we’d been through, yet the weight of what we carried–our bond with the realm, the heart itself–made us feel stronger than ever.

The Ash Queen’s presence was calm but commanding. She looked at us with her piercing eyes, though there was no longer any shadow in them. “You have done well.” She said softly. “The realm is safe again, because of you. Because of the choices you made, the courage you showed.”

I reached out instinctively, but she didn’t take my hand. Instead, she bowed her head slightly, a gesture of quiet respect. “Remember.” She said, her voice like a low hum, “this peace is yours to protect. Darkness may rise again, as it always does, but the heart is with you. It beats through you both now.”

Elias stepped closer, his hand brushing mine. I could feel the warmth of his touch, steady and grounding, just as the heart pulsed in my own chest. “We’ll keep it safe.” He said, his voice sure. “We understand. We won’t let it fall into the wrong hands. Not ever.”

The Ash Queen nodded once, almost imperceptibly, and a faint smile curved her lips. “I believe you.” Then, after a long moment, she turned and began walking away, her robes swaying around her as she disappeared among the regrowing trees. The sunlight danced on her crown, a soft glow that seemed to echo the rhythm of the world itself.

Elias exhaled, a laugh escaping him. “Well.” He said, “that’s that. Realm saved, world intact, Ash Queen impressed. Not bad for a day’s work, huh?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Not bad at all.” But there was no laughter long enough to mask the awe settling over us. The land stretched before us, forests regrown, rivers sparkling in the morning light, animals wandering freely again as if nothing had ever happened. This was what we had fought for. This was home–both for the realm and, somehow, for us.

We left the clearing hand in hand, walking in silence at first, listening to the soft hum of life all around us. It felt unreal, and yet more real than anything we had ever known. The bond with the heart made everything sharper, brighter, alive. It was as though the world itself was breathing alongside us.

When we finally returned home, the first thing we did was run. Run straight to the castle, our feet pounding across the familiar paths that seemed to recognize us, carrying us forward with a sense of urgency and joy we hadn’t felt in months.

The castle doors burst open as soon as we reached them, and there was a collective gasp followed by cheers. Friends, guards, and pack members all followed us towards the castle, their faces alight with joy and disbelief. “You’re back! You’re really back!” Someone shouted, and I felt tears sting my eyes at the sound of their voices.

Elias and I slowed to a walk, taking in the smiles, the hugs, the laughter. It was overwhelming, and yet it felt like the most natural thing in the world. After everything, after the darkness and the battles, after the heart and the Ash Queen, this–this was what we had fought for.

And then I saw him. Grayson. Our little boy.

He was sitting in the courtyard with Stephanie, his tiny hands clutching at a blanket, his eyes wide as he stared up at us. He hadn’t grown very much at all, just a small, perfect bundle of curiosity and light. It was strange, almost uncanny, until Luke walked over.

“When you locked the portal.” He said, his voice quiet but cheerful, “time synced up with the other realm. You haven’t missed any milestones here. Grayson’s grown just as he should, even while you were away. You can see him now, and everything is as it should be.”

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