Here is the final chapter of my Sofia the First trilogy. I'm sad that it's over. I might have another idea later, but there's no promises I'm afraid. Many thanks to bellechat for so faithfully following the stories, and to any others out there who have done so, too! I write such a wide variety of categories, so you all should check them out. I do everything from Care Bears to 9 to Alice in Wonderland (2010). So go on. You know you want to! :)

After several days in the Isles, they woke up to find themselves sore and disoriented. They were lying in medical beds, side by side, in a room at Sofia's school. Roland was speaking with a doctor and the headmistresses, while Miranda was dozing. When Sofia shifted to touch her with her bandaged hands, Miranda looked up.

"Oh! Sofia! They're awake!"

They were given water, which they drank down in seconds. After settling back, they were given slices of turkey and stuffing with gravy.

"It's from the feast," Miss Flora said. "The show was postponed, but we didn't want to waste the food. And we had a lot to talk about."

"Such as?" Cedric asked cautiously.

There was silence as everybody glanced at each other. Roland finally stepped forward.

"Cedric? What is your relationship to my daughter?"

~I guess we're caught.~ Sofia said.

They both realized at the same moment that they were linked again in this world, and they relaxed even further. The sorcerer met Roland's eyes as he replied.

"I am her best friend. However, what you want to know is this: I am linked to her being because of my own magic, and she is linked to me with her own magic. We can share thoughts and feelings and dreams and memories. But, your majesty, I promise you just as I promised Baileywick, she and I are just friends. We have no romantic interest in each other. This I swear to you."

"And how long have you had this link?" Miranda asked.

"Since I was eleven," Sofia said. "When we got really sick that one time. The magic linked us then."

"And you didn't share it, why?" Roland asked seriously.

Sofia shrugged. "At first, we didn't understand it, so we figured you wouldn't either. You and Cedric weren't as friendly as you are now. You would have accused him of inappropriate behavior. Then we just didn't mention it."

"Do you remember when I asked if you were alright?" Miss Flora asked softly. "When you started using magic without a wand?"

"Yes. And I'll admit I lied. I didn't like how everybody was staring at me and talking about me. Wands honestly do nothing for us. We're too powerful. I still learn things here, like how to apply my magic to different situations, but the chanting of spells doesn't improve anything, for me or for Cedric."

"So, what would you call yourselves?" Miss Fauna asked.

"We are Mystiques," Cedric answered.

The fairies nodded then held up their wands. "Do you think you could repower these? The other sorcerers already went home to get spare wands, but we have been here making sure you two were alright."

"I believe so."

Sofia and Cedric linked hands then reconnected the wands to the Mystic Isles. That done, they settled back as the fairies tried them out. When they were shown to work properly, they nodded.

"You two are clearly Mystiques," Miss Merryweather said solemnly. "And we have many questions, much to go over. But we can do that when you feel better. For now, we suggest you go back to Enchancia and rest for a few days."

On the carriage ride home, Sofia and Cedric dozed against each other. When they got back, Roland himself helped the sorcerer up the stairs and into his room. Cedric sighed as he was settled into his own bed.

"Cedric?"

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Thank you for taking care of my Sofia. I'm glad she has a friend like you."

"She understands me in a way nobody else ever did, not even Ambretta."

Roland looked guilty and uncomfortable, glancing away before solidifying his resolve. "You know something? The only reason I wanted her was because you did. When our parents arranged our marriage, I was pleased only because it meant you wouldn't get her. But that day, the day after Amber and James were born, when she…died." He swallowed hard. "You were her last request, and I realized what I had done. I hadn't loved her properly, though I did love her. I was so angry at myself, but it was easier to be angry at you. I'm sorry, Cedric. I'm so sorry for taking her away from you."

Cedric considered this carefully. "As I learned when I brought us here from the past, what's done is done, and there is nothing we can do to change it. I loved her so much, and I know she loved me, too. But Ambretta was the kind of girl to bend to pressure if it was strong enough. We actually considered running away together at first, but she finally decided to listen to her parents." The man paused as the king looked away. "But, your union brought forth two beautiful children, who have grown into a wonderful man and a beautiful, smart woman."

The monarch nodded slowly. "Yes, that's true. Without Ambretta, there would be no Amber and James. And probably no Sofia. After the queen died, I swore to love the next woman I married with nothing held back. When I met Miranda, I knew. She happened to have a daughter, and I promised myself that I would love her as one of my own children."

"She certainly feels loved, your majesty. And she loves you very much. You are a wonderful husband and father. And thank you for understanding. I really was reluctant to tell you in case you thought I was doing inappropriate things with her. We are the best of friends and can share practically everything with each other, but I will never love another as I loved Ambretta."

"I trust you," the king said simply. "You've never hurt her before, and you've saved her life more times than I can count. Thank you. Now, you'd better rest. I'm going to go check on Sofia. She should be bathed and in bed by now. Goodnight, Cedric."

"Goodnight, your majesty."

Cedric relaxed back into the softness of his bed and reached over to touch Sofia's consciousness. ~Your father is on his way.~

~I'm glad you two talked.~ she replied. ~I think you needed that.~

~Indeed. I must bid you goodnight. I'm falling asleep.~

~I know.~

And that was a comforting thought. As she bid him goodnight, he couldn't help but note that their lives were going to be a little different from then on. He wasn't exactly sure how, but it would start with the discussion with the fairies. Then there would probably be a Royal Sorcerer's meeting called, or maybe even a meeting of everybody magical, like witches and wizards and fairies. Where would it go from there? He didn't know, and he mused for a few minutes on the possibilities.

~Stop thinking and get to sleep.~ Sofia teased. ~We'll think about it tomorrow.~

Cedric couldn't help but smile fondly. ~Yes, Sofia. Goodnight.~

~ Goodnight, Cedric.~

As he snuggled into his bed, Wormwood flapped over and perched on the headboard. "I'm hungry."

"Ugh, stupid bird!"

Sofia laughed heartily over the link as Cedric forced himself up to feed his pet. He smiled again.

~Get to sleep, Sofia. He said playfully.

She laughed again, and he laughed with her. Oh, life was good, and they would face what the new day brought together, not just because they had to, but because they wanted to. And that was the best part, Cedric decided.

Years ago, he had stolen her amulet to take over Enchancia, but even then, he had melted before the girl's kindness toward somebody like him and had been reluctant to do it without prompting. After her monumental act of compassion toward him, he had been a changed man. Their bond had further changed him, and definitely for the better. As Sofia drifted off to sleep, he stroked her mind as if he were stroking her face.

~Thank you. For everything.~

She smiled and didn't answer. She didn't need to, though. He knew how she felt. He could sense it. And it was, by far, the best feeling in the world. And that was the truth.