FIRST EPILOGUE

Huddled in a corner of that alley, shivering from the cold, Theresa and Miah waited patiently for Lÿarah.

They noticed that the cold had lessened. If they had been clinging to each other, from that moment on they began to feel something new.

“Is this what they call... warmth?”

Both heard footsteps approaching. The mascot's ears perked up.

The mascot jumped out of Theresa's lap as soon as it saw Lÿarah walking toward them and leaped into the warrior's arms as soon as it realized she was nearby.

“Hello, did you wait long?”

“Are you alive? And those injuries?” Theresa asked, alarmed. “And what about Alex?”

“Don't worry.” Lÿarah smiled. “He will survive. He's in a terrible state, but he'll be fine.”

Lÿarah approached and hugged her.

“Let's go home, little sister. I managed to get a room for the three of us at the Temple of Exactness. It will be our home for now. Our home and Miah's too.” She smiled, petting the little animal.

“Wait! What do you mean our home?” Theresa asked, stunned.

“What do I mean? I mean, we're married, the three of us, aren't we?” Lÿarah said casually. “But I will be the number one wife.”

“Oh no... forget it, I can't agree with that. I will go back to my family and explain all this... Let's find another solution and...”

“Trust me, after I tell you what your husband did...” said Lÿarah, smiling as if she were bragging, “you'll want to stay married to him, for sure.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know, I have to admit it. The numbers were right. He was the perfect man for us.”

“And what did he do?” Theresa asked anxiously.

“He helped us save the city and bring back summer.” Lÿarah took her by the hand. “Come on, let's go home and consummate our marriage... I mean, when he gets better, of course.”

“Consummate?”

“Of course.” Lÿarah said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “But I’ll tell you in advance: I am the main wife; you do this after me.”

Theresa's expression was one of deep astonishment.

“What?”