He was so gentle with her. I was happy for them. There had been a lot of resentment sent her way, but I couldn’t fault her for wanting what I gained so easily. She’d heard the prophecy and orchestrated everything, watched me get so much more than she thought she had here. She was living a lonely existence and I wouldn’t wish that on anymore.
“Thank you,” I said as I turned away from the couple. The realm brushed against me in response before ebbing. It was strange that the realm, at its core, was almost like another god.
Someday I would ask Loki about it. But those questions were for another time. Right now, I was glad I’d repaid my debt.
Part of me expected Odin to pop in and see what exactly I’d done to close the realm. If that happened, I might not be in my position for long for saving Hel. Then again, the gods seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere. He likely already knew. His lack of presence was a good sign.
He had bigger issues anyway. Now that the portal was closed, the humans could fight back against the demons and reclaim their world. As a species, humans were resilient, and I knew they’d rebuild.
Either way, I’d done my part. Both realms were healing, balance had been restored, my group was alive, and my best friend survived.
Sure, there was still a lot to work out, but now that the portal was closed, we had eternity to figure out the rest.
Epilogue
Harlow
More time had passed than I’d expected when we stepped through the portal into Dark Haven. Already the courtyard was full of green and repairs were well underway.
We’d been so busy in Helheim, it had fallen to the bottom of the list.
“Drake!” Sarah’s voice was strong and excited as she ran through the doors. “I was waiting for you!”
“Mom,” he breathed out as he wrapped her in a hug. She didn’t flinch at his demon appearance, she just held her son like a mother should, dancing around with him as she excitedly whispered how much she loved him.
Then she was moving onto me, hugging me tight before going down the line.
“My babies, I’m so glad you’re all okay,” she ended, clapping her hands together and fighting tears.
“You look great, Sarah. How is Dark Haven treating you these days?”
“Well,” she said, ushering us inside as she spoke, “as soon as you closed the portal, it was like a fog lifted. I could think and speak clearly. Even my exhaustion ended. I’m not perfect, but I’m normal again.” The relief in her voice was loud and clear.
“She’s perfect,” Elkan said as he joined us. “Welcome back.” He hugged Drake, then offered a handshake to the rest of the guys, then bowing for me. He showed me respect as the Queen of Helheim even when he no longer belonged to that world.
“And how are you coping? I’ve been worried,” I admitted. He shook his head in exasperation at my words.
“I told you I’d be fine as long as I had her. Let’s have some tea, the cafeteria always serves it at this hour,” he told us, leading us downstairs.
I half expected a room full of patients, instead finding... families.
“Um?” Hiro said. “What happened here?”
“We’ve made a few changes,” Sarah said proudly. “This is the new Dark Haven. A safe place for families, teens, individuals.... anyone who needs it.”
“I managed to get us some amazing funding and grants and now we feed anyone who needs it and room anyone who needs it. We set low rent for those staying long term and that helps bolster the funds we need.”
“This is incredible,” I said. Looking out over the faces, then back at the two who made it possible, I knew that everything had happened this way for a reason. Dark Haven had not only been their home, but mine, and I was glad to see it become that for even more people who needed it.
“How are things back home?” Elkan asked, not bothering to call Helheim by name in a room full of unsuspecting humans.
“They’re changing,” I admitted.
“For the better,” Drake finished.
He was right, things were crazy, and settling in wasn’t easy. But we’d found a way to make Helheim our home.
Hel had demanded accommodations for the afterlife the moment they’d recovered. But I no longer owed her anything. She was given what everyone else was, a place of peace where the other souls resided. After realizing there’d be no special treatment, her demands stopped and she focused on her partner.
