“You are,” he murmured.
He still couldn’t believe she was his. From the first moment he’d seen her in the infirmary, he’d known they were meant to be.
It took a second for his words to settle, but he saw the moment they did because a shy smile spread across Brynleigh’s face as she looked up at him.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Captain.”
Chuckling, he kissed her. He’d never get enough of this. Of her.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
She beamed. “More than I ever thought possible.”
“Me too.” Ryker wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest. If someone had told himthiswould be where they ended up in those horrible days after their wedding, he never would’ve believed them.
And yet, they were on their second-chance honeymoon, waiting for their friends, and ready for whatever life would throw at them next. Even Tertia seemed to be slowly softening towards Brynleigh after the vampire had saved her son’s life. Cyrus was healing, and River had finished Maturing a month ago.
Ryker tightened his grip around his wife.
They were together, and life was good.
Several minutes passed in companionable silence before a dark shadow covered the moon.
“Oh, I see them!” Brynleigh grinned, practically vibrating with excitement.
A streak of fire lit up the sky, and then, the shadow descended. It grew larger until a black dragon landed on the ice several dozen feet away from them.
A small, winged form slipped off the dragon’s back, and then, Brynleigh ripped herself out of Ryker’s grasp. The fae captain watched with amusement, petting Marlowe’s head, as his wife darted across the ice with vampiric speed and hugged Hallie.
White flashed. Therian shifted and dressed, and then the group of four made their way inside.
Laughter filled the air, and hours passed with pleasant chatter. They’d grown closer than ever since the night of the Reunion, and Ryker was pleased to call Therian Firebreath a good friend. Violet flames danced in the hearth, Marlowe slept at their feet, and warmth filled Ryker’s soul.
His heart was no longer aching, no longer broken. It had been made whole once again, repaired by the beautiful woman at his side. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
That night, after staying up far too late, Ryker and Brynleigh made their way to the primary bedroom overlooking the obsidian ice. His heart was full as he stretched out on the enormous fur-covered bed, naked and entangled with his vampire, and showed her exactly how much he loved her.
Thank the Blessed Obsidian Sands, he’d Chosen well.
CHAPTER 42
Epilogue
Eighteen months later
Fiery tears streamed down River Waterborn’s face as she sprinted through the streets of Lakewater.
Her running shoes pounded the sidewalk. Pink scrubs were plastered to her body like a second skin. Water poured from charcoal clouds, thunder roared above her, and lightning slashed through the night sky like the surgeon’s blade she regularly wielded.
Her heart pounded in her chest; thelub-dubof that life-giving organ too fucking loud as it roared in her ears. Her skin was tight, and she clenched her hands as internally, she screamed and screamed and fucking screamed.
She had to keep going. Had to keep running. She couldn’t let it out. Not now. Not while someone else could get hurt.
That all-too-familiar ache began in her chest as her curse whirled in her veins. Her magic throbbed, wanting to get out.
Needing to get out.
“No,” she sobbed desperately. “Not yet. Not again.”