The air at the Aragonia dock was sweet and full of cheer, but nothing was sweeter than climbing up to deck and seeing a brown-haired boy in a white Caval grinning and waving at me.

"Go on," called Keenan. "I'll dock."

I didn't need to be asked twice. Heart soaring in my chest, I sprinted down the stairs right into Tem's arms. His smell wrapped around my head, and I inhaled all of it.

"I saw what you did," Tem whispered into my ears as he nuzzled my face. "I was so worried you would be dead, and I thanked the Stars a million times when I heard you were homebound."

I drew back slightly in surprise, though I didn't leave much of a gap between us. I wanted to be close to him as long as possible. "Sorry, I didn't know you could see."

Tem smiled. "I saw everything." He tapped my nose. "You crazy girl."

Shouts and cheers began to seep into my ears, and I scanned my surroundings. "Princess! Princess Ashling!" "Welcome back, Princess Ashling! We brought gifts." People bearing baskets of fruits, boxes of trinkets and jewelry, plates of loaves of bread and homemade cookies, jostled and cried for my attention. The people of Aragonia were psyched to see their saviors. Apparently every one of them remembered my scooping them from the river, and had caught a glance of me before flaking into golden dust. Tem and I were pulled apart by citizens wanting to shake my hand, or even kiss it.

"Hate to break up the two love birds," said Fabe. "But I insist on joining this hug."

We laughed and pulled Fabe into our embrace. For the first time in a long time, everything felt right again.

Aragonia was more alive than ever. An impromptu festival had been thrown at the docks to celebrate our arrival. I glimpsed stalls selling little bobble heads of Marylea, Fabe, Keenan and myself, banners reading "Welcome back, Aragonia's Heros," and "We Sing for Ashling." Behind all the festivities, I saw the Royal Council standing in the distance, looking resplendent in their Cavals. Makerholf, Springy and Trevain were beaming bright as the sun, Bill was scowling as usual, but as I met his gaze the corner of his lip twitched. Tammy and Barney had their arms around each other, and were jumping to get my attention. And my father, oh my father, bless the Stars, was actually smiling. I could barely recognize him; the corner of his eyes were wrinkled, and his dark eyes sparkled like a rippling ocean. I grinned and waved at them, and the Royal Council burst into smiles and waved back.

That was when I realized one of them was missing. Where was Prince Ralf with his perfectly coiffed hair that gleamed in the sun? Perhaps he didn't make it a habit to celebrate others' achievements. I shrugged it off.

Nothing could dampen my euphoria. I wanted to climb the tallest mountain in Aragonia and sing from the mountaintops, though my body ached at the thought. I wasn't quite healed from the river ordeal yet, and I'd spent the past few days helping to rebuild the Loki to the best of my ability, though the others had made it a sport to tell me to go away, sit and rest. It didn't fare too well with me, so I settled with chores like fetching water.

"Good to see you again, Templeton," said Marylea, who'd come up from behind me after she was swarmed by adoring fans. She clapped him on the back. "I had to make sure you were solid."

Tem looked alarmed to see his ex-fiancé. "Oh, hello," he said awkwardly. "I heard you had one heck of an adventure," he said.

"I had enough for one lifetime," Marylea said, grinning. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to put our horribly awkward engagement behind us. After what I've been through, I'd like to have as little conflict in my life as possible."

Tem smiled. "Of course."

"Good." She nodded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be in my wing, knocked out and oblivious to the world." She gave me a parting smile, a wink, and blended into the crowd.

"Should we be following her? We're her mentors, after all."

Tem laughed. "And the Aragonians will attack her with bear hugs if we don't."

I watched as the Aragonians swarmed her with pens and paper, hounding her for her autograph.

I smiled. "They'll riot if she, Stars forbid, got a paper cut."

Tem took my hand, and I about jumped from my sandals from the resulting pleasure.

"Just so you know," he said, his face glowing, "I'm in the midst of plotting a fantastic proposal."

My heart did a jolly jig, and my fingers tingled with pins-and-needles, but I managed to fix my face with mock surprise. "You mean that last one didn't count?"

His eyes widened. "Oh. Um, if you'd like –"

I laughed. "Tem, I'm just kidding." I squeezed his hand. "Take your time, as long as it arrives. As I'm waiting, we'll figure out this whole new Shaper business, together."

Tem drew me to him, his nose grazing mine. His hazel forest-green eyes stared deep into mine, wrapping me in his presence. "You can count on it," he said softly. Then he pressed his lips against mine, and I knew I was home.