Contents
20. Twenty
Overview
The castle erupts in joyous chaos as fae once turned to vox return, reuniting families across realms. Amid the celebrations, Ezra is reunited with his parents and sister Olivia, confirming the curse’s full reversal. Ezra’s father halts formalities, and Ezra publicly honors Amara as the human who saved them all.
Summary
Outside Ezra’s study, chaos and jubilation swell as returning fae flood the halls. Amara and Poppy rush out despite Ezra’s warning and witness tearful reunions, including Gil embracing his restored wife. The sudden appearances confirm that those once turned to vox have been fully restored and drawn back to the castle.
Amara and Poppy push through the crowd to find Ezra comforting a white-haired woman with metallic silver wings—Ezra’s mother. A shadow-cloaked man with ice-blue eyes and a moon on his third eye arrives—Ezra’s father—whose black wings glitter with gold. The parents embrace, their wings enclosing them amid the commotion.
A young girl, Olivia, cries out for her parents and races to them. Ezra breaks, falls to his knees, and hugs Olivia, revealing the depth of his relief and love. The family turns to Poppy and Amara; Poppy kneels, but Ezra’s father gently ends formalities, declaring the day one of reconnection and celebration.
Ezra places an arm around Amara and introduces her to his parents as the human who saved them all. The moment publicly affirms Amara’s role in breaking the curse and signals a new beginning for the court, united with restored kin and a reconstituted royal family.
Who Appears
- EzraKing of Orilon; reunites with his restored parents and sister Olivia; honors Amara publicly.
- AmaraHuman apothecary; witnesses mass reunions and is introduced to Ezra’s parents as savior.
- PoppyFriend and ally; moves through the chaos with Amara, kneels, then is told to rise.
- Ezra’s fatherShadow-marked fae with black, gold-flecked wings; ends formalities and reunites with family.
- Ezra’s motherWhite-haired fae with silver wings; tearfully reunites with Ezra and her family.
- OliviaEzra’s younger sister; runs to her parents and embraces Ezra, completing the family reunion.
- GilFae court member; emotionally reunites with his wife restored from vox.
- Gil’s wifeFormer vox; returns with golden skin and white wings, reunited with Gil.