Chapter 1674

Jude looked down at the glowing camp, at the women he had loved and been remade by. At Lucy, who now carried more than just their bond - she carried the future. "I want it to be true," he said finally. "Real. Not perfect. But honest. I want it to be us."

A warm voice interrupted them. "Then it starts with tonight."

Natalie stepped into the firelight below, holding out a carved wooden bowl of fresh berries and pulped fruit, their juices glistening like wine. "We honor what we've become," she called softly, "by celebrating it."

Scarlet followed her, lighting the tall fire stack with a flick of dried moss and coals from earlier in the day. The fire caught instantly, golden sparks swirling into the sky. As it lit, the ground seemed to respond again - more petals blooming, soft grass rising, the entire island pulsing with joy.