River felt her heart swell painfully as Heiko leaned in, whispering softly:
“Look at him, River. Look at our son. He will grow in a kingdom we fought to protect… a kingdom you helped save.”
She placed her hand over Aro’s tiny chest.
“His story begins tonight.”
The Nightshade family stood together.
Stronger than ever.
Safe.
Whole.
But destiny, as always, stirred quietly in the background…
Waiting.
Watching.
Preparing for the next storm.
--
Wine sparkled. Music rose. The scent of pine drifted through the open balconies.
Everything was perfect—
Until the atmosphere in the room suddenly… changed.
A hush fell like a cold wind sweeping through the hall.
A woman—old, stooped, draped in modest robes of silver and grey—stepped forward. The crowd parted around her instinctively, som
