Epilogue Rychell
Nate bursts from the front doors of Ivydowns, nearly mowing down two orc lasses and a wolf shifter who transforms due to being startled.
I crouch and open my arms to catch Nate. He flings himself at me and hugs my neck tightly.
“I love this school, Ma! Can I write a letter to Master Osric to thank him today?”
“Can you?”
Nate leans back to glare at me. “May I?” he grumbles.
“Sorry, but you need to learn proper grammar.”
“Let’s go to the pub and see Halvard!”
“Exactly what I was thinking.”
At The Gold Coin, Cyrus and Halvard’s pub, the dragon shifter is at the bar pouring out pints for tourists and locals alike.
It’s late in the afternoon and the perfect time of day for a refreshing drink.
A wheat wreath hangs above the hearth where a fire snaps and flickers.
The staff are already starting to switch the decorations from autumn into some that celebrate Snowlight—swags of red and green wool tied up with starholly branches.
The red, star-shaped berries release clouds of golden magic, infusing the room with their peppermint scent. The holiday always sneaks up on me.
Cyrus greets us and then disappears into the kitchen. He returns with Halvard. They laugh about something, and Halvard’s copper eyes twinkle as he meets my gaze. My heart trips over a beat, and I wonder if I’ll ever get used to being his mate. I am ridiculously grateful.
Nate hops onto a barstool while Halvard draws me close and kisses me soundly.
“Ew! I’m right here.” Nate makes a terrible face and turns toward Cyrus. “You don’t kiss Mistress Kaya like that, do you?”
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to, lad,” Cyrus says, giving Nate a small crockery cup of simple cider.
Nate rolls his eyes and drinks his cider.
He spins on his stool and launches himself at Halvard.
My mate catches him neatly and gives him a peck on the forehead.
Nate wiggles out of Halvard’s hold and runs to the crackling fire where Laini’s pet dragonfox, Spark, and his mate are tending to their young on a folded woolen blanket.
The kits will be old enough to be on their own very soon.
Their pelts are a blend of Spark’s orange fur and green scales and his mate’s snowy colors.
Cyrus pours out two meads for Halvard and me, then he lifts his mug to the room of humans, goblins, orcs, pixies, fairies, and shifters. “Let’s toast the newlyweds!”
All eyes find Halvard and me. Halvard grabs the mead and hands one to me. We raise our drinks as everyone cheers.
The mead is sweet and cool. Just right. I lean into Halvard and whisper, “Why did I ever believe limiting my relationships would lead to happiness? This is joy itself, here with you, my mate.”
Halvard’s arm wraps tightly around me, and he sets his head against mine. “I hope you’re still saying that when I tell you the news.”
“What news?”
“Magnus and Aila are moving to Leafshire Cove. Talk about chaos…”
I laugh, my heart lifting. “That’s wonderful! Nate will get to know his cousins.”
“They bought the Acorn Inn and are bringing Aila’s stepsister, Colette, to help them run it. She’s human like you.”
I am about to ask about her when the pub door swings open to show the vampire we met in Honey Sands.
We greet him with a wave, and he strides over, an eyebrow raised like he is trying to decide if coming here was a good idea.
“Greetings, Archer,” Halvard says. “What brings you to Leafshire Cove?”
“Your library is holding a book fair and my publisher decided I needed to attend and shill my wares.”
Halvard nods. “Your latest thriller?”
The vampire runs a hand through his shoulder-length black hair. “Aye, that’s the one.”
“I haven’t read it yet.”
Archer’s red-black eyes shine. “Well, you’ve been busy, or so I hear.”
Halvard and I grin at one another. “Yes,” I say, “we married and have been settling into our new rhythm.”
“I’ve mostly been enamored with her magical library,” Halvard says. “I need to finish unpacking.”
“I understand being obsessed with books,” Archer says approvingly.
I look down at the ring Halvard gave me. The gold band is flecked with orcstone, a green granite, and I love it so much. His ring is made of blue stone, a color he chose because he said it matches my eyes.
Archer surveys the room and orders a dark ale. “Are there any other vampires in town?”
“I don’t think so,” I say.
Cyrus serves Archer, then he returns to a card game he’s playing with Betilda at the end of the bar. The older, female orc grins and plays a card. She’s definitely winning.
Halvard is looking at Archer’s mug. “I didn’t know vampires drank ale.”
“We do.”
“And apparently write books.”
Archer’s mouth lifts at one side, showing a fang. “Only ones that no one wishes to read,” he says with a comical, self-deprecating tone.
The pub door swings open again, but no one enters. I look around, but there’s nothing.
“Was that a ghost?” I ask Halvard, wondering if there could be more ghosts than the one haunting the ruins outside of town.
Halvard squints at the rough-hewn ceiling beams. “It’s her.”
“Who?” Archer leans against the bar top and looks in the same direction as Halvard.
“The cherub fairy that drove me nuts during our trip,” Halvard says.
My mouth pops open. “I didn’t know you saw her too!”
Archer gives us a sly smile. “You two must be lucky to earn the attention of a cherub fairy. Her attention is a blessing, I hear.”
“She’s a pervert,” I say, laughing.
Halvard is shaking his head and rubbing a hand over his face. “So annoying.”
We laugh and raise our cups to the cherub fairy hiding somewhere among the Snowlight swags and greenery.
“To lust and love!” Halvard says.
I down the rest of my mead and thank the Blessed Stones that I listened to my son. Love is messy, and I adore every wild angle of the joy and pain it brings. This is life, and I’m truly living it for the first time.