Chapter 23 (Final)

"Sunsets are proof that endings can often be beautiful, too." - Beau Taplin

Warm showers and warm food made everyone settle in relaxation. Dorian and Seraphina were resting together in his room, laid together, and soft breaths were the only thing that could be heard between the two.

"How are you feeling, Dorian?"

"I'm alright. Still shaken up from it all. I just want to rest now. It's been a long day."

Seraphina smiled, her head resting on his chest to listen to his heartbeat. Rushed. Heavy. His heart was still in fight mode.

Seraphina hummed softly. Dorian's body flexed underneath her as it settled into a relaxed state. He was listening to her hummed lullaby. Seraphina giggled to herself.

"Rest now. Everything else can be handled later."

"Sleep as well with me, please. You were just as much affected. Elvina hurt you too much."

Seraphina nodded and closed her eyes. She didn't realize how exhausted she really was once sleep came in and claimed her.

~~~

The next day was a little better. Everyone was able to get better rest. Some were still of course shaken up.

"How's my father?" Dorian asked some of the medical fairies. They smiled telling him that he would be alright and that he was much better now. Dorian smiled and made his way to his father's room.

The King lay in his bed awake and looked much better now. He was smiling at his wife and baby girl. Dorian knocked.

"Come in."

"Father, I heard you're feeling better."

"That I am. I heard what you did yesterday as well. I'm sorry you had to do such a thing and felt as though you had to take it over, but I'm very proud of you."

Dorian gave a reassuring smile and shook his head.

"It had to be done," he nodded. "Nothing else to it. What happened yesterday had to be handled in only one way."

The three of them talked about the disaster and what could be done to fix the homes and stores. The townspeople will be on shaky grounds for a while, but they know it was not the royal family's fault and heed no blame. But the royal family still holds guilty feelings for not being able to save so many.

"Dorian," The Queen looked at her son. "There's something we must talk about. It's about Seraphina and her friends."

He nodded, ready to listen to whatever it is.

"Seraphina and her friends must choose now. They must choose if they want to stay here or leave here."

Dorian grew anxious hearing that. He knew it would come to this. But he had hoped Seraphina wouldn't have to choose and would just stay here with him. They are fated after all.

"I'll get them." Dorian smiled and left the room. The anxiety grew stronger now as he made his way to find her.

Seraphina was in the library lost in a book with her friends. They were studying more about the world.

"Can you all come with me to my father's room, please? My parents wish to talk to you."

~~~

"We'll stay!"

Dorian, his parents, and some guards, were all shocked to hear how fast Seraphina and her friends answered.

"Seraphina," The Queen gave a soft look. "You realize you'll not be able to see your family or your other friends and classmates. That goes for all of you as well if you do stay here. You won't be able to for a very long time."

"We know. But that's fine. Being here is actually a lot nicer and more interesting than back out where we came from," Charlotte piped up with a smile.

"I can go without seeing my parents for a long time." Seraphina shook her head. She'd finally get a break and be able to be herself with it all.

"And I can't leave Dorian behind. Not after all this travel here, the challenges I've faced alone and with him in the span of a few days. I love Dorian very much. I want to stay."

A smile came across the King's face as he glanced over at his son. Dorian was smiling as well, happy and bright at Seraphina's words about her staying.

Nova nodded in an aggressive agreement, "If Seraphina is staying, I'm staying too."

"Count me in as well." Samuel gave a thumbs up, "Could use a change of pace and new sights too!"

"Then it's settled. Seraphina, you and your friends will stay here from here on out now. You and Dorian are fated together nonetheless so I expected nothing less as well. You are a brave and bold woman, and that is good. We welcome you into our world and home warmly."