- You do realize that now the line of wizards has been permanently interrupted, don’t you? - she asked, after Raphael had told her about Artemis’s fate.

At one point, Thea realized that she did not feel anger to Temi, but completely understood and justified her action. She just wanted to protect her, and if things had been different, Thea wouldn’t be able to lie next to Raphael and enjoy life right now.

Therefore, she was happy when she found out that Ivrim had found a way to give Artemis another chance at life.

Thea perfectly heard Artemis’s thoughts while she was suppressed by her consciousness, so her jealousy receded and there was only a place of great gratitude for the mercy that Artemis bestowed on Thea and Raphael so that they could be together.

There was only one small matter left - an official divorce as soon as she recovered.

- It was interrupted even at the moment when Lillian destroyed my people. - Rafael added sadly. - But you don’t have to worry about it, because we’ll still be able to have children.

- Yes, I remember you talking about it with Artemis.

- Were you eavesdropping? - He grinned, taking her at her word.

- You were talking too loudly. - She chuckled.

- Well, of course. Make excuses now. - He laughed. - Then what do you think about it?

- About what exactly?

- About becoming my wife and giving birth to a bunch of little vampire babies?

- Well ... – she put her index finger to her lips, stretching out the words and darting her eyes from side to side.

- What kind of "well" is that? Are you going to think when the answer is so obvious?

- Is it obvious to whom? - She raised herself a little on her elbow. – I don’t see an engagement ring. No romance.

- Oh, you mean that? - He put his hand under the pillow and when it seemed that he had found something there, an intriguing smile played on his face. – I’m sorry, baby, I’m not a romantic, here’s your ring.

He pulled out a box from under the pillow and quickly opened it, taking out a sparkling snow-white ring with a rather large, but not too huge diamond, which only emphasized the elegance of the future queen.

- So you’re going to marry me now, aren’t you? Although, what am I asking? Of course you will.

Raphael took Thea’s hand and didn’t even give her time to respond when he put the ring on her finger, causing her to purse her lips, either from surprise, admiration, or outrage.

In any case, she would not have had time to do anything, because the next moment he scooped her up in his arms, conquering her lips with another kiss.

- You just initially had no choice but to accept such an adorable me. - He whispered into her lips with a smug smile. – I love you too much to wait for your answer for too long, because I already know your answer.

- You’re just being cheeky. - She slapped him on the shoulder and leaned back on the pillow, laughing at his insolence and examining the adorable ring. - You’re right, I didn’t have a choice in the first place, ever since the day you stopped me from dying the first time.

She turned on her side to face him and gently ran her hand over his cheek, smoothly running her fingers until she touched his plump lower lip.

- Well, what is it? Would such a marriage proposal for the future queen of Abion from an uncouth lout like me do? - He caught up her laughter.

- I wouldn’t forgive you if you made me some stupid, sugary offer on one knee. But this is a marriage proposal, I will never forget and I will tell my grandchildren later how their grandfather did not even bother to take his head off the pillow to propose to his grandmother. - She laughed heartily at the very thought of it. - And yes, I will marry you.

Rafael planted a soft and sensual kiss on her lips after she wrapped her arms around his neck.

***

It took several days for the elves, magicians and vampires to work together to clear the territories surrounding Abion of dead bodies. It was a long and emotionally exhausting job, but no one was outraged, everyone did their duty in proud silence.

The faeries returned to their lands, but Thea managed to thank their queen personally. The Fairy Queen was a pleasant girl, very young, unlike what Thea herself had imagined her to be. It seemed as if time had no power over her and it really caused admiration.

But no matter how hard Thea tried to establish contact, the faeries flatly refused to open their borders, they preferred to remain true to their traditions and their own safety. It was their choice and their right, which no one disputed.

It took several days to sort out the bodies of the dead. Enemy bodies were burned to the magic fire without due respect for the deceased, the bodies of the allies were transferred to their relatives, and those who did not have any left, it was decided to cremate with all honors and funeral services.

Thea was still avoiding her father. Her heart couldn’t find its place when she heard his voice nearby.

Like a little guilty child, she ran from him around the palace and hid behind the columns. How was she going to look him in the eye after everything that had happened? She was still worried that he would not be able to love her as before, because in fact she died in front of his eyes.

- Honey, I know you’re here. - His voice echoed off the empty stone walls, resonating and making her squint. – Let’s just talk, you can’t run away from me forever.

Clutching the lace of the dress on her chest with her hand, she tried to calm the beating of her heart. Could she have pretended to be absent? Her father doesn’t have supersensitive hearing, does he? That’s right, she’s not ready yet.

And again the same feeling when she was running away from her father’s house on tiptoe, but this time a smile, seasoned with mischief, sprang up on her lips. What was that? It seemed like they were playing some kind of ridiculous game.

She picked up the hem of her dress so that it would not rustle, making unnecessary sounds and quietly slipped out on tiptoe from behind the column, slipping through the ajar door of the guest room. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

As her eyes darted from side to side, she noticed an open window. It was like deja vu. Stepping softly, she gracefully jumped onto the windowsill and was surprised at how easily she did it, as if she were a flexible cat.

But before jumping out of the window, having looked at the successful soft bushes in advance, she collided with an invisible barrier with her forehead, which even made her eyes sparkle for a moment.

The door creaked and opened a crack.