A Thousand Glittering Lights

Epilogue

There were a thousand glittering lights.Purple and red spotlights flashed, a huge monitor array blazed with car chases, sword fights, gun battles, and magic, and gleaming champagne bubbles rose and popped. But Josh only saw Ellie.

He leaned back in his chair and watched as she strode across the stage wearing a floor-length shimmering silver dress held up by two tiny straps he was looking forward to sliding down her smooth shoulders later, a stunning silver-and-diamond pendant shaped like Arwen’s Evenstar around her neck, and combat boots. She would have gone barefoot and brought Nissy if she could.

She looked out across the room to meet his eyes and grinned. God, he loved her.

And then she held out her hand and called Victoria and Duane to the stage to stand with her, to share the spotlight and the accolades.

From the moment they got the news, she’d been sharing the glory. She’d told everyone that they won Game of the Year together, and they would collect their awards together too. Because that was Ellie’s way.

He knew her acceptance speech well enough that he could concentrate on watching her as the words rose and fell.

She was everything—the courageous warrior battling the shadowy fae to save her lover, the wild and brilliant witch seducing her orc and uniting a kingdom, the siren surrounded by the frothing ocean, and so much more. She was his friend. Her mind was so full of curiosity and ideas that it never failed to challenge and delight him. She had glued his family together. She was the woman who had pulled him back from the darkness and given him hope. She was his lover. She was the other half of his soul.

On the stage, Ellie flung her arm around Vic, and the two women rocked together, beaming and laughing.

Victoria still flinched at loud noises and sometimes seemed oddly fearful of dark corners and shadowy nooks, even with Warren in jail far away. The investigators Ellie hired had found enough evidence to help the police put him away for years. But Vic was slowly starting to smile again and even graciously accepted Ellie’s help with putting a deposit down to secure her house.

Josh took a sip of his champagne as Liam caught his eye from across the table where he sat with their mum. Liam was wearing a wool and silk twill tuxedo—Josh had no idea what that meant, but Liam had told him at least three times—and his mum was in sky-high heels and a plum velvet dress embroidered with hundreds of tiny beads. They’d gone all out with their sparkling evening wear, even though Ellie had told them several times that most people would be wearing jeans and leather jackets.

Ellie still hadn’t heard from her father. He never called again after she’d decided not to sell her game. And Josh knew it still hurt her. But it didn’t stop her from loving freely and openheartedly. And she adored his mum just as much as Donna adored her.

His mum looked happier and more relaxed than he remembered ever seeing her. Liam had gone back to live at home while he built his physiotherapy practice, and they enjoyed needling and teasing each other, looking after each other, and spending time together in a way they never had before. And Josh’s relationship with his brother had never been better. For the first time ever, they were becoming true friends.

True friends who sometimes wanted to strangle each other, but who never forgot how much they loved each other.

On the stage, Ellie thanked the rest of her amazing team at Dangerous Business Games, calling on them to stand and share the applause as she, Vic, and Duane lifted their trophies. They had won best design, best narrative, and overall game of the year.

And given the excitement already building for Strong Hold—the first game ever to center entirely around an orc romance—it wouldn’t be more than a couple of years before Ellie was back to accept another award.

Fans were already clamoring for the release date. And the art they sent to Ellie… Josh had never seen art so evocative, so primal, or so erotic in his life. It had already inspired several nights of orc games, and he was looking forward to many more.

He shifted in his seat, and Ellie’s grin widened. Of course she was looking at him just at that moment. Their eyes met and held. And by the pink rising on her cheeks, she was thinking something very similar.

The speeches finished, and the food was served while Ellie moved slowly through the room, accepting congratulations and well wishes before settling in beside him. Lobster bisque shots with a swirl of truffle oil were followed by a beef Wellington with buttery flaky pastry, rich mushrooms, and tender beef, and to finish, the creamiest, airiest honey cheesecake he’d ever tasted. He still—even all these months later—appreciated every bite. And it tasted even better with her at his side.

They laughed and chatted and told jokes. And when the dance floor opened, Josh pulled Ellie to the floor just so that he could hold her in his arms.

They swayed together as the music rose and fell around them. Other people danced in wild, joyful circles, but he kept her close. Her body was warm and fitted against his perfectly. The darkness didn’t threaten him; not with her light shining in the world.

He lifted her hand and spun her out and back, loving how she tilted her head up, eyes sparkling and full of joy as she rested her palm against his chest.

“You look magical,” he whispered against her ear, and her smile grew even wider.

“I feel magical,” she replied, looping her hands around his neck as they danced. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She chuckled. “And tomorrow, we can take a day off and just sleep.”

“Mm-hmm,” he agreed noncommittally. Ellie had stuck to her decision to take more time to relax. She went for walks now. She’d started swimming in the morning even when the sea was freezing. And he distracted her whenever he could.

He’d also found a balance. He’d joined a birds of prey sanctuary as the consultant veterinarian, and, for the first time, he was there when the birds stayed. They took in other animals too—hedgehogs and little roe deer—and sometimes those stayed too. And every day, he went home to Ellie. And sometimes they did take a day off and just sleep.

But not tomorrow. The fridge was full of strawberries, champagne, and the pancake batter he’d prepared while she was getting dressed earlier. He’d spent an hour setting soft towels, organic massage oils, and plenty of snacks ready beside the hot tub. There was even a luxury tin of chicken and salmon in gravy for Nissy—her favorite. And a gorgeous vintage leaf-and-vine diamond-and-sapphire engagement ring was hidden in his sock drawer. There wouldn’t be much sleeping if he could help it.

But not yet. Tonight was for celebrating her team, her achievement, the family she’d made. For dancing and laughing. For remembering how close he’d come to the darkness, and how grateful he was for the light.

He bent and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I love you, Ellie.”

She smiled up at him. “I love you, too.”

There were glittering lights and smiling faces, and joyful music in the air, but all of it faded into the background. Because there, in his arms, was Ellie.