A Court of Mortal Love (ACOTAR Fanfic)

Epilogue

Ma and I soon found out about Hybern retreating from that silly fortress, though not entirely, after Anathema's temporary defeat and the death of a thousand soldiers by Rhysand alone. Aren, who was released to the sunshine every morning with Vela, had taken Ma and I to the edge of the forest, Tamlin and Lucien on their own mounts, to see the few straggling tents that remained firmly situated on my fathers grounds. I didn't think they would fully leave—if anything, I was confident that they would pour back until one day, it ended in an even greater battle.
    Until then, there was much time spent in the kitchens with Elain, trying to perfect the dish I would offer Tamlin after the ceremony on our wedding day. Feyre and Nesta had come one day, apparently to visit Elain, yet while they were there, insisted on helping me find the perfect gown. Feyre was quiet and pleasant that day, yet Nesta thought it her duty to mention Tamlin's past grievances of "forcing" Feyre to wear a hideous pouffe of a gown on their own failed wedding day; in response, I decided to take only my mother, Lucien and Elain with me to one of the Spring Court towns, still on its way to building towards something better since Feyre had destroyed it. I was glad to see Nesta leave in all her fury when I refused the abundant providence of the Night Court's gowns.
    When the day came, my nerves nearly had me flee—I won't lie about this. I dare not. I have had much time to think about my guilt over this. I have concluded that my fear only made sense.
    I trembled when they put the white gown on me, the handmade lace in the shapes of flowers spilling down my arms in delicate sleeves that blew softly in the spring breeze. Flowers were grown into the fabric of my dress that day by Fae magic, and when I peered out of my bedroom windows onto the lawn where the ceremony would take place, one could see thousands of Fae. I had no idea that many would attend. It was a secret hope I had, now fulfilled—I had many of those now.
    All of it was very grand, and on that day, I could feel it with each pound of my heart. Aren and Veela were tethered nearby, and I wished, for a moment, that I would be able to take Aren and race away, back to the mortal world, to seclude myself in one of the forests, wishing to never be found.
    I felt how mortal I was the most as I descended the stairs and made my way toward him, surrounded as I was with magic and immortal Fae.
    He stood at the front in a golden suit, a pink flower in his chest pocket, his hair soft and spilling around his shoulders like the first day I saw him, standing in the bedroom doorway. I felt entirely incapable, entirely unworthy as the Spring Court Fae turned their widened, respectful eyes on me. Flowers bloomed beside me as I walked, and when I looked up, I saw Tamlin was watching this magic with amazement. I had thought he'd been the one doing it.
    It truly astounds me what magic mortal love is capable of.
    When I reached him, and felt the simple touch of his hand on mine, all doubts fled, and I knew that no cauldron that could give me immortality—or give mortality—no power that could rush through my veins could make me any more worthy to be the High Lady of his court.
    The High Lady of Spring, of flowers, of growth... of hope and love reborn. That's what they called me after that day, before Tamlin left in search of the cauldron, to see if he could perhaps use it for himself in a way it never had been before.
    And new life we have brought—growing the towns, growing the people to what much resembles the Night Court now. And I know those little ones out in the garden, all of them immortal, unlike both their parents, bedecking Aren and Vela in flowers, will continue bringing hope and life through the brightest days, and any dark ones that may come.