Josephine's arms wrapped tightly around Xavi, her slender fingers gripping the back of his shirt as if afraid he would vanish if she let go. Xavi buried his face into her shoulder, his breath trembling, his hands shaking as they held her waist. She patted his back gently—slow, soothing circles—her mind whispering softly: It's okay, my love. I'm here. I'm right here.
Her touch steadied him. Her warmth, her scent, the familiar heartbeat he hadn't felt in five years… it broke him and healed him at the same time.
Josephine slowly pulled away and cupped his cheeks, her thumbs wiping the tears that refused to stop. She smiled softly, reassuringly, before picking up the fried ribs he'd made.
She took a bite.
Then another.
And then another—fast, messy, hungry.
She laughed, licking her fingers shamelessly as Xavi shook his head, laughing with watery eyes.
"You're starving," he mumbled.
She nodded quickly and jumped—literally jumped—onto Tess, hugging her so hard Tess stumbled back.
"My baby girl!" Tess cried, squeezing her like she would never let go. "I missed you so, so, sooo much!"
Josephine giggled in her mind, burying her face into Tess's neck before hugging Piere tightly next.
"I missed you very much, my sweet baby!" Piere said dramatically. Josephine giggled again silently.
"It's been five years now. Finally!" Callum said as she hugged him too.
Josephine froze.
Her eyes widened.
Her hands flew to her mouth as she signed quickly and shouted in her mind:
"5 YEARS!?"
"Yes, five fucking long years," Xavi said, half laughing, half crying. "You're twenty-four years old now."
Josephine covered her mouth, shocked beyond words.
Adris chuckled nearby, holding little Orion, while Ophelia sat on his shoulders playing with his hair happily.
Josephine hugged everyone again—every single person she could reach.
"Oh my sweetheart," Queen Olydia whispered as she embraced Josephine tightly. Josephine wiped her tears with shaking hands.
She turned back to Xavi and threw her arms around him again. He needed that. He melted into her arms, his face buried in her neck.
Josephine held his hand and pressed her forehead against his, closing her eyes for a moment, letting the peace sink in.
Then she walked outside—
And a maid gasped loudly.
"THE QUEEN IS AWAKE!!!!"
Her voice echoed across the halls.
Suddenly—
The cheering erupted.
Shouts. Screams. Cries of joy.
People ran, rushed, stumbled, trying to see her. The air vibrated with excitement.
Josephine stepped forward—
And rose into the air.
Her feet lifted off the ground, her hair blowing as golden-white threads of power wrapped around her like ribbons of light. The Guardians surged out of her in glowing forms.
Eryndor immediately dropped Celine's hand, nearly forgetting she was holding their baby girl, Hasia—half witch, half demon wolf. Eryndor's demon-wolf aura crackled, while Seliora's moon-witch energy flared brightly. All four Guardians circled Josephine in the sky.
The kingdoms looked up.
Every kingdom.
Every tribe.
Every royal court.
"She is awake!?" King Azul gasped.
The Guardians' voices boomed across the skies:
"RISE, JOSEPHINE — SILENT QUEEN!"
**"From shadowed sleep to dawn unseen,
By blood of light and throne divine,
Awaken now — your soul is mine.
Heart of fire, breath of fate,
Break the chains that sealed your state.
Let power stir, let spirit gleam,
Awaken, Queen, from endless dream.
By Zephyria's oath and moon's bright crest,
Return to life — in strength be blessed.
QUEEN JOSEPHINE!"**
The moment the chant ended—
Every kingdom bowed.
Everyone.
From warriors to children. From nobles to servants.
"ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF ZEPHYRIA!"
Aradia cried.
"HAIL!" the kingdoms roared back.
Josephine descended slowly, glowing like dawn itself.
Vespera—the giant serpent—rushed forward with surprising speed, hissing joyfully. She licked Josephine's face affectionately and curled around her. Josephine hugged her thick neck, laughing silently.
Elandra roared from behind, wings spreading wide. Josephine patted her giant head fondly.
DINNER
That evening, Josephine cooked for the entire family—and the whole castle.
Everyone ate like they'd never tasted food before.
Hendrick arrived with Sophia.
Hendrick was now 67, Sophia 58.
"My dearest child," Hendrick whispered as he hugged her.
Sophia kissed Josephine's cheeks over and over.
Josephine yawned, exhaustion finally creeping in. She leaned into Xavi.
"Don't worry love, I am just tired…" she said in her mind.
Xavi kissed her forehead gently and carried her to their room. The kids followed, snuggling in beside them.
They all slept together for the first time in five long years.
SUNRISE
Josephine woke early—like she used to—and cooked breakfast for everyone.
Ardera came downstairs and stopped when she saw Josephine. Josephine looked back, smiling softly.
"Jojo," Anesthesia said as she entered with baby Reina. "This is Xavi's aunt."
Josephine tickled little Reina's tiny feet. The baby giggled so loudly the whole hall turned to look.
Josephine went upstairs to wake her family.
Orion was already awake, hair messy and sticking up in every direction.
"Good morning, Mama," he said, sleepily rubbing his eyes.
Josephine kissed his face repeatedly, giggling in her mind as she gently removed his hearing aid to clean it.
Xavi yawned deeply, stretching as he saw them both.
"Morning, my loves," he said warmly.
Ophelia and Adris woke up next, hugging Josephine tightly.
"Morning, Mama!"
She hugged all her children—her heart full.
Xavi kissed her lips.
"Good and happy morning, my love."
Josephine giggled in her mind. He looked happier than she had seen him in years. He ate everything she cooked—every bite. Adris too. They missed her cooking deeply.
"Adris, you're turning eleven," Xavi said, glancing at his son. "Do you want a party?"
Josephine nodded fast in excitement.
"Yeah! I do!" Adris said. "This time I haven't celebrated in years so… for Mama, yes!"
"YAYYY!" Orion shouted.
Josephine grabbed him and kissed his cheeks nonstop, making him laugh.