In a cosmic void, a doused star begins to tremble. It reignites, burning more brilliantly than the other stars below it. The other stars, the voices of goddesses, beckon it to fall and join them. However, the newly lit sun feels a “cut root” connecting it to the world below. It questions why it must fall, and a familiar voice responds, telling the “little sun” that if it does not want to fall, then it shouldn’t.

The narrative returns to Auren’s perspective. She chooses to reject divinity and return to her body. She was the star, and her connection to Slade was the root that pulled her back. Understanding that the light of a goddess-touched has always been inside her, she breaks free from her star-like form and follows the bond back to him. As she leaves, one of the goddesses in the void tosses a droplet of light to follow her. Auren passes through a cosmic river and is reborn.

Auren awakens in her body as she and Slade are falling through the void. As they plummet, her magical ribbons meld together and transform into a pair of large, golden wings. With a newfound instinct, she beats the wings against the air, stopping their descent and flying them both out of the chasm. They land safely back on the soil of Annwyn and share a passionate, tearful reunion. Elore suddenly appears and says “Goldfinch” three times, the third time gesturing to the ground, prompting Auren to kneel.

Auren feels the divine droplet sent by the goddess and understands it is a gift to heal the land. Placing her hands on the ground, she unleashes the power, which purges the curse from Annwyn. The deadlands transform into a vivid, lush landscape with a shining city. Amid the restoration, Slade confirms that the bridge to Orea is gone, cutting them off from their home.

Slade, still in awe of Auren’s return from death, walks with her into the restored city. Auren discovers she can change her wings back into her ribbons at will. The fae who followed them gather, wondering what comes next now that King Carrick has fled. Auren formally rejects any claim to the throne, stating that after decades of captivity, she wants to live her life for herself. She nominates Wick to lead the new government, revealing his full name is Wickum Almon Turley and that he is her family.

In Orea, Commander Ryatt and his surviving soldiers treat the wounded after the battle at the bridge. Queen Kaila immediately begins plotting to expand her political power, clashing with Ryatt. King Thold of Second Kingdom intervenes, declaring that a council will be held in Fourth Kingdom to determine Orea’s future. Ryatt promotes Tyde to Captain and sends word to Fourth Kingdom that Slade “can’t return” and his top officials must rule in his stead. Ryatt, Lu, Osrik, Digby, and Rissa remain behind to investigate the site of the destroyed bridge.

Ryatt and the others fly their timberwings to the edge of the world, finding no trace of the bridge. Consumed by grief, Ryatt flies Argo into the strange, dense fog of the void. Inside, he becomes disoriented and hears disembodied whispers before Argo panics and barely manages to fly them back out. Once safe, the group hears real voices and investigates, finding two fae. Friano has his foot drawn back to kick Emonie. Acting on instinct, Ryatt pulls him away before the blow can land.

The narrative shifts to Emonie’s perspective. The beaten fae woman lies injured in the snow, trapped in Orea. Friano accuses her of helping Queen Malina destroy the bridge and moves to attack her again before Ryatt intervenes. During the confrontation, Emonie notices a patch of green grass in the snow nearby, a fairy ring. Realizing it is a magical gateway, she understands it might be her only way back to Annwyn.

The story moves to Auren. She, Slade, and Wick go to Lydia, where Wick explains his plans to replace Annwyn’s monarchy with a democracy. He thanks Auren and Slade for bringing peace to his realm and asks them to serve in the new government. They agree to consider his offer. After Wick leaves, Slade encourages Auren to do what she wants now, and she says she wants to go to Bryol.

The narrative returns to Ryatt. He questions Emonie and Friano about the fairy ring. In an effort to prove that she is on the Oreans’ side, Emonie takes on Auren’s golden appearance to prove she knows her. She explains that the ring is a magical transport system and that Friano is a “ringer” who can activate it. Seeing it as their only chance to find Slade and Auren, Ryatt and the Wrath decide to risk using it. The group all steps inside the ring, and when nothing happens, they coerce Friano into activating it. Argo flies in at the last second as the ring flares with white light.

The group arrives in Annwyn. Friano draws a dagger and swings it at Emonie, but Ryatt slams into him, tackles him to the ground, yanks the dagger away, and stabs him in the chest. The fairy ring withers and dies with its ringer, trapping them all in the fae realm. Lu manages Ryatt’s panic, reminding him their mission is to find their friends. Emonie leads them toward the city of Lydia, where they see evidence of both Slade’s rot and Auren’s gold.

At the city’s entrance, they are stunned to find Slade and Auren, who were about to leave. A joyous, tearful reunion ensues. Emonie apologizes for her part in Carrick’s plots against Auren, and Auren forgives her. The group’s happiness is cut short, however, when Slade asks about Judd, and Lu confirms he was killed in the battle. The group also finds Slade and Ryatt’s mother safe and well. Despite their grief over Judd and their uncertain future, they decide to celebrate being reunited.

Two months later, the group is living in Bryol, which they are helping to rebuild with the aid of the Vulmin. Most of the Orea natives have settled in, though Ryatt struggles with being trapped in Annwyn. Digby and Elore have formed a quiet, comfortable bond. Slade and resolve to savor each other and have faith that everyone back in Orea is safe.

Auren and Slade share an intimate evening beside a creek. Afterward, Slade gives Auren a replica of an old Fae book with a new illustration of them depicted with a goldfinch and a dragon. The dragon’s wings are edged with a ribbon of gold. He then reveals that his dragon, which he thought was lost forever, has returned as a smaller, shadowy form with gold-edged wings. Slade does not know how it happened but feels in his heart that Auren somehow brought it back. He thanks her for making him whole again. They walk back to their new home in Bryol, and Auren reflects that this love and peace is what she had been fighting for all along.

This short poem recaps the central love story in metaphorical terms. It describes a star (Auren) and a root (Slade) that were separated by a void. The star became a “little sun,” and its light beckoned the root to reach for it. They found each other across realms, their light and dark now permanently intertwined.