Epilogue.

                                    

                                          
I stretched my sore back gingerly as I walked through the Edenian forest. It had been an uncomfortable night sleeping on the forest floor. Getting used to living in the forest again was proving more difficult than I initially suspected which resulted in fitful slumber and a sore back in the morning. My time in the castle massaged away most of the roughness I had gained from the life I was used to.
                          
I spotted a rabbit caught in one of my traps and made it into breakfast. As I ate, I contemplated what I would do that day. 
My daily activities ranged from hunting to building means to stay alive after leaving Axen. It wasn't a big change from my life before Axen, the only difference was that I made a living trading what I caught for other necessities and that I did far away from Axen.
                          
I travelled all the the way to Edenus which was on the other side of the Airiva. Far far away from the past. I would have to go back eventually, duty demanded it as I had to be there when my husband was coronated. The memory awakened past pain.
                          
When I got Dilan back to his aunt's, she wasn't there so I had to double back to the castle. It was there I found her and by that time Dilan was on his last breaths.
                          
Nothing could be done by normal physicians or his aunt  and I couldn't even try because I was drained from the fight, so all I felt was despair. Then his aunt told me there was a way I could save him myself. To marry him.
                          
I didn't understand how marriage could help till she explained the power of a royal marriage. If I did marry him a bond would be made that made us share our lives hence we would live as one.
                          
I remembered Dilan looking like a half dead man lying in front of me and that I held his hands in mine. He had heard his aunt. He looked at me and nodded ever so slightly. The bond was made and Dilan's life restored.
                          
Nothing was the same between us after that to the point where I decided it would be best for me to leave for a while. The farther I went, the more painful the tugging on my heart was. I loved him most definitely but the marriage was a necessary action that tore us apart. 
                          
I finished my breakfast and shook away my thoughts. New days had just begun and I would enjoy them all till it was time to handle the business I had left unfinished. With the darkness still alive, nothing was over yet.