EPILOGUE
This was how I wanted to wake up for the rest of my life.
I didn’t know what had roused me from sleep, the first rays of sun dancing on my face, the delicious way my body was truly and fully spent, or the soft kisses Zandyr peppered on my bare shoulder, but I enjoyed them all.
“Good morning,” he whispered huskily from behind, molding his body to mine. “How is my queen feeling today?”
“Like she’s dreaming.” I stretched my arms above my head, feeling every single muscle unwind. Last night had been...a revelation.
I should have jumped Zandyr’s bones the first day I’d met him.
His laughter rumbled, vibrating straight through me. This whole hearing-my-thoughts-unless-I-shielded them was handy, indeed.
“I very much agree with that sentiment. It would have been awkward, at your wedding with another man, but still.” His lips trailed up my neck, finding that soft spot right below my ear.
“There is something to be said about the anticipation.” His right hand snaked around my waist, pulling me tightly to him, my back to his chest. “The tension.” His other hand wound in my curls, pulling my head back so he could have total access to my neck. “ The building pressure.”
That pressure was building, alright, pooling right between my legs.
“Zandyr,” I moaned, arching my back against him.
“Someone is insatiable,” he growled. Just when I thought he was about to roll me over and blow my mind again, he kissed my temple hard. “But, first, food.”
What in the– “I thought I was the only feast for a king.”
Thank the gods for this mental connection, because I could not have said that out loud. Even thinking it made me blush a thousand different shades of red.
“Oh, you definitely are. And I will take my fill of you every single day.” He captured my lips in a kiss that was over too soon. “But I meant you. You need to eat–or Goose might actually barge in here and have my head. I promised him I’d take care of you.”
“My Goose made you promise?”
“He did, right before the wedding, shaking from head to toe. I was proud of him.”
“I promise Goose won’t mind if we don’t get up for a while.” I wound my arms around his neck. “Plus…” I gulped. “I can eat in bed, too.”
“What are you doing to me, menace?” He stole another kiss from me, this time heated and languorous.
Yes, I would very much like to live the rest of my life this way.
Just as Zandyr’s fingers pulled tighter on my hair, a swish resounded from the window. I broke the kiss and flinched–then exhaled when I saw a black bird on my windowsill.
Not just any bird, either, but the one who’d carried my crown back when I threw it in the garden.
Ryker and Allie’s raven–and it had a small scroll tied to its leg.
Kisses forgotten, we both jumped out of bed. Zandyr reached the bird first and unwound the scroll, eyes scanning the parchment as my heart threatened to beat itself out of my chest.
“Allie?” I asked.
“They’re safe. In hiding, but safe,” he said. “There’s been an attack on Ryker’s citadel.”
I pressed a hand through my throat. “What happened?”
“That information is too dangerous to send with a raven, even one as skilled as this. They’re trying to retrieve the palaver portal and contact us.” Zandyr shook his head. “The Huntress is also asking you to think about the night you disappeared. No memory is too small , she says.”
A frown marred my face. “Why would one night from sixteen years ago matter?”
“She didn’t mention, but she did say please.”
“Then it’s very important.” I rubbed my temples. “When will it stop? It’s been less than three weeks since we got rid of Banu and Valuta. They’re still repainting the temple entrance.”
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to rest until we find out who truly wants you and your cousins dead.” Zandyr raised the parchment above the one lone candle which had survived the night and watched as the flames consumed it.
When nothing but ash remained, his gaze wandered to the menacing wall guarding Phoenix Peak. “We still haven’t figured out what happened with that crevice in the wall.”
“The only possible answer is your parents.” I didn’t care that they denied any knowledge of it. Maybe Banu and Valuta had erased their minds–but then, why would they do that just for this? “Are you sure you didn’t sleep-magic it one night?”
“Positive. They swear they didn’t touch the wall.” He turned back to me slowly. “If I didn’t do it, my parents didn’t either…then who else can wield the most ancient power in the Blood Brotherhood?”
“I thought we only suspected my Clan of wrongdoing.”
“Menace, I fear we might be up against every single Clan in Malhaven. My guess is whoever has the power to affect the wall also wants your family gone.” He grasped my shoulders. “And they came here, to Phoenix Peak.”
THE END
Thank you for delving into the shadows of A Crown of Victory and Vengeance!