"What are we going to do with it?" Aleksander was staring at the Grand Palace with distaste.

"I don't know. I certainly have no wish to move into it. Do you?"

"Absolutely not. We could tear it down and start over."

"That seems wasteful, especially after all the country's been through. The war orphaned and beggared so many."

"The Little Palace is getting overcrowded with all the Grisha from other countries, we could simply expand into it."

"Part of it, perhaps, but let's designate a wing as an orphanage and place for the destitute to…get back on their feet. Like Keramzin, but more."

Aleksander considered. "Will that make you happy, my love?"

"Very happy."

He smiled at me. "Then consider it done. We'll move the throne room to the domed hall. The Grisha can dine in the Grand Palace."

"And our quarters?"

"I prefer them as they are."

"Me, too."

"Care to return to them and hide from our responsibilities for a bit?"

I took his hand. "That sounds perfect."

As we walked back through the grounds, we caught sight of Genya and David hand in hand strolling towards the lake. Aleksander tracked their progress for a moment. "So those two are finally together?"

"Yes, after we confronted the King, David, in perfect David style, told Genya she is made of metal.

"He…what?"

I laughed at his look of consternation. "He said finding out what Genya endured with the King showed him she is made of steel, which is something he can understand."

"I see. At least I think I do."

I shrugged. "Apparently it was good enough for Genya. She's never been happier."


Once we reached the solitude of our chambers, we sat down in front of the fire and I snuggled into Aleksander's side. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. The last few days had been a whirlwind of meetings to work out the details of the King's abdication and our regency.

We'd replaced a good portion of the King's council with Grisha. Since most of our time would be taken up with leading the country, we established a Triumvirate to lead the Second Army. The group was made up of representatives from each order: Zoya for the Etherealki, Genya for the Corporalki, and David for the Materialki. Aleksander had been surprised when I suggested Zoya. I just shrugged. "She's a strong Grisha and a good leader."

I was surprised when he suggested Genya. "David's right, " he explained, "she's made of steel."

In addition to leading the Grisha they–along with Ivan, Fedyor, and Mal–would be the most trusted members of our council. Having a commoner on the council was a first. I hoped it would lead to more equitable treatment for the common people.

Aleksander's voice pulled me from thinking over all the decisions we'd made so far and all the ones that still lay before us. "It's good to finally get some time alone, milaya."

"So good." I pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I suppose it will be hard to come by now."

"No, we'll make time. I need time with you, my queen, to keep me balanced."

"My queen?" I couldn't hide my grin. "I think I'll need you to call me that at least once a day."

He took my hand and pressed a kiss to the tips of my fingers. "My queen." Then my palm. "My queen." The inside of my wrist. "My queen." He kissed his way slowly up my arm to my neck, repeating the phrase with each kiss. When he reached my ear he breathed, "How I love you, my queen, moya Sol Koroleva. How I need you."

My toes curled in my shoes. "I love you, too. I need you, too, Aleksander."

"You are my heart, Alina. I thought I had lost it, that it had shriveled and died centuries ago, but you gave it back to me." I had no words adequate to respond to this, so I simply pulled him down to meet my lips and allowed a soft glow to encompass us.

We had brought Ravka peace, now we would bring healing, healing and prosperity for our people. Surely eternity would be long enough to accomplish that.


A/N: I'll post the Epilogue Saturday. :)