Epilogue
Balor
Riding through town on my motorcycle, I felt the familiar rumble beneath me fade as I approached the clubhouse and slowed. It was the first time I’d been here since the battle with the coven. Despite my plans for the town, I’d handled most things from the house the past week, not wanting to leave Belladonna alone for long, and she hadn’t seemed eager to leave the house.
“Good to see you, Balor,” Clay said. “I see you finally left the house. I was starting to think you were going to become a recluse.”
“Not in this lifetime. Just needed to take care of things at home,” I said, clapping his shoulder and moving past him.
“Thought you were going to hide away,” another of my club brothers said.
“Hide?” I asked, turning to look at Collin. “And I’d do that why?”
Collin grinned. “Good to have you back, brother.”
“Glad to be back.” I approached the bar and sat on a stool. “If I’d known working from home for a week would mean this much fuss, I’d have done it sooner.”
“Regardless of where you sit when you call the shots, you’re still the president of this club,” Jackson said, taking the stool next to mine.
Ben set a beer in front of me.
“You know we don’t really do titles around here, but I guess I’ll be hanging around more often if this is the reception I get,” I said, lifting the bottle to my lips. It would do Belladonna some good too. She needed to venture out into town on her own, start making friends and settling in. Now that the danger was over, there was no reason for her not to make this place her home.
“Anything else we need to know?” Jackson asked. “I mean, you’re fucking Balor Hades, and probably a billionaire a few times over. Still wrapping my head around that. But you’re the same man we’ve known for a while now. You’re not going to drop another bomb on us, right?”
“Things will get back to normal now,” I said. “Or as much as they can. The town is still cleaning up the mess from the battle with Thaddeus Kline’s coven. They damaged some properties when they first attacked, but everything will be put to rights soon enough.”
“Things are better, though, right?” Clay asked.
“Darkwood has always been close-knit. It’s even more so now.” I downed the rest of my drink. “We all have scars. Some on the inside, some on the outside. But we’re healing. Together. And I think this may have been a good thing for the town in the long run. They can now see how we need to band together when shit hits the fan.”
Collin came over and patted me on the back. “You could have told us the truth.”
“Didn’t want you to treat me differently, and I wasn’t convinced that wouldn’t happen. Or I worried that you’d decide to cut ties altogether. I need you. All of you.”
He gave a small shrug. “Guess we’ll never know how it would have played out. I’d like to think we’d have been the same.”
The men brought their drinks and came to stand near me. I felt the tension ease even more. I’d been worried for nothing. I should have known better. These men were my brothers. They’d stand by me, no matter what.
“Here’s to the Balor’s Saints,” I said, lifting my empty glass. “And all those who stand by us.”
“Balor’s Saints!” they shouted, lifting their drinks and taking a sip.
Collin snorted, then snickered.
“What?” I asked.
“Did you seriously name this club after yourself?” he asked.
I gave him a light punch to the shoulder. “At the time, I’d never thought anyone would know my true identity. Why? You want to change it now?”
Collin shook his head. “No, this works just fine.”
I hung out with the club for a while longer before heading back to Belladonna. I found her in the den watching TV, and I took the seat beside her on the couch. I placed my hand on her stomach, wondering when she’d start to show. It still felt unreal that she was carrying my child. I felt a flutter of magick against my palm, and my heart nearly skipped a beat. My daughter.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“That I’ll kill anyone who tries to take you from me. Or our daughter.”
She paused. “Wait. Did you just say daughter?”
“Yes. I don’t know how, but I felt her magick when I placed my hand on your belly. I saw a glimpse of her, and she’s beautiful. She also told me her name.”
She took a breath and let it out slowly. “Wow. A little girl. What’s her name?”
“Artemis.”
Her lips parted and she stared at me a moment. “Artemis. The huntress. Goddess of wild animals, the moon, and chastity. Among other things.”
I nodded. The child had more of my magick than her mother’s, but she was half-witch. We’d have to do our best to make sure was trained as both a witch and a mage, until we knew exactly who she’d become.
“I can’t wait to meet her.” She smiled softly. “I hope she’s strong like you. I want her to have your sense of justice.”
I kissed her again. “She’ll be perfect. I have no doubt.”
Belladonna nodded and leaned into me. She’d seemed happier, and lighter, in the past week than she had since I’d first met her. Now that her father was gone, and so was the Coven of Eternal Night, she no longer felt the need to constantly be on guard. She could finally relax and enjoy life.
“I love you.” I’d told her countless times since we’d both confessed, but it never felt like enough. “I don’t want you to ever doubt it. Or me. You’re mine and I’m yours. Always.”
“I love you too,” she said. “I know it’s crazy. We don’t really know one another, but you risked so much to save me. And you’ve given me a daughter.”
I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers. “I’ll give you anything you want. Just tell me and I’ll make it happen.”
“I don’t need anything except you. And a safe place to have our child. I’m not used to having much.”
Her words warmed my heart. She really didn’t ask for much. I’d give her the world, but it wasn’t what she wanted.
“I hope she has your hair. I’d love to have a daughter with fiery red hair. I don’t know if I could love you more, but seeing you with our daughter…” I shook my head. “I have a feeling she’s going to wrap me around her little finger.”
Belladonna smiled. “I think you’re right.”
“I’ll show you how much I love you every day. I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you’re happy. Both of you.” I kissed the back of her hand and placed it over my heart. “I never thought I’d be a father. Now that I know I will be, I want to be the best one possible. I have dreams for our daughter. I want her to have the freedom you didn’t. I want to give her the world, Belladonna. I want to see our daughter running down the halls with a smile on her face. I want to see you cuddling with her in the library, reading to her. And I want to see you holding her, looking at me with love in your eyes. I want you both to be happy here.”
I could tell Belladonna was close to tears. I kissed her lips, savoring the sweet taste of her. When I drew back, I just stared at her for a moment. I’d never met anyone more beautiful.
“I’m guessing you’ll want to redo the nursery,” I said.
Her eyes widened. “You have a nursery?”
“It’s never been used, but one of the times I was changing rooms around this place, I created one. Maybe I knew I’d someday need it, or I’d just hoped I might. I can show you.” I held out my hand, and she slipped her fingers into mine.
The nursery was at the end of the hall on the second floor. I knew it wasn’t what she’d want for our daughter. The bedding was old, and the furniture would be considered antique now. It would be best to start over. I pulled her into the room and watched as she took it all in.
“We can change the color of the walls, get new furniture and bedding,” I said. “Whatever you want.”
“I’d like to have some time to think about it. Maybe order a few things. Since we’re having a girl, I’d like something softer. Maybe have a few things custom made.”
“I have a contractor I can call to come do the work. He’s done several things for me over the years. I trust him, and he’s the only human I’d allow in our home. Well, aside from Collin. That may change in the future, but right now, I’m not risking you or Artemis.”
“Could we go into town and look for a few things? It might give me some ideas,” she said.
I smiled, thankful she was ready to finally step outside of the house. “Yeah, we do that. Why don’t we take the truck in case you decide to buy something?”
She nodded. “I’m ready if you are.”
The ride to town was peaceful and I parked on Main Street. Getting out, I walked around to Belladonna’s side and helped her down, keeping hold of her hand. We stepped out onto the streets of Darkwood, the sun casting a gentle glow on the quaint shops lining the road. Laughter reached my ears, and I caught the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery. I’d never taken the time to truly appreciate the town before, but it looked like it would be a good place to raise my daughter.
Several people noticed us. More than one person said good morning, and there were nods of respect from those who knew who I was -- now that I’d finally come clean. I’d worked from the shadows for so long, it felt strange to be out in the open.
“Mr. Hades,” the shopkeeper said, stepping out of his store. “Or do you prefer Balor?”
I smiled and shook my head. “Balor is fine, Mr. Thompson.”
His cheeks flushed a little and he smiled. “Hard to believe you know who I am.”
“I know everyone in Darkwood.”
His gaze went to Belladonna. “Welcome to Darkwood, Ma’am.”
“Thank you, but you can just call me Belladonna.”
“Of course. It’s a pleasure to meet you. In fact, a lot of folks around here are eager to make your acquaintance.”
Belladonna’s smile widened. I heard the sound of a child’s laughter, and she squeezed my arm. I couldn’t help but notice the way a few people paused their conversations to watch us. I didn’t sense any hostility from them, though. If anything, they seemed… pleased.
I’d done my best to make sure Darkwood was a safe place. While I’d never come face-to-face with some of the residents, they’d known I was here. And I’d taken the time to learn as much as I could about every single resident. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to belong until this moment. I’d also thought it was the town that had needed me. Now I wondered if it was the other way around.
Belladonna turned, and I followed her gaze. A woman held a small child by the hand. The little girl waved, and Belladonna waved back. The woman dipped her head and walked farther down the sidewalk.
We continued to stroll through town, pausing every so often so she could peer into a store window. The park was up ahead. I’d never really paid attention to the area, but now I wondered if it could use some improvements. I picked up my pace, wanting to see it for myself.
Belladonna glanced at me, her smile softening. I squeezed her fingers and led her toward the park. It wasn’t far, but the walk had felt longer than it should have. How had I never paid attention to this place?
It looked like a good place for families, and I wondered if I’d see Belladonna bringing our daughter here when she was older. I noticed an old oak tree up ahead and led Belladonna to the wooden bench beneath it. I sat and pulled her down next to me. The dappled sunlight left patterns on the ground, and I stared at them for a moment. I hadn’t realized how much I’d wanted this. To be accepted. Not just by my club, but by the town.
“They seem to like you,” Belladonna said, clasping my hand and placing it on her thigh. “I think they like me too.”
“I’ve never seen the town like this. I always stuck to the shadows. I keep thinking that I should have done this sooner, shared who I really am. Now it feels like I’ve been hiding for no reason.”
“Maybe this is exactly when you were meant to step out and let people see how you really are. Clearly, everyone knew of Balor Hades. They just didn’t know you were also Luke. I think they’ve been waiting for you to reveal yourself and mingle with everyone.”
It was possible. I closed my eyes and drew in a breath. The scent of the fresh grass, the warmth of the sun on my face… It was peaceful here. And I wanted to take that peace back with me. I cupped Belladonna’s cheek and kissed her gently.
“I think I’m ready to go back to the mansion,” I said. “We have a lot to discuss.”
She blushed but gave me a smile and nodded. I stood and helped her up, then led her back toward the truck so we could return home. Even though we hadn’t gotten any shopping done, I felt like maybe we’d accomplished something better.
Despite the things I’d recently discovered, and my fully unleashed powers, I still couldn’t see the future. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but something told me we’d have many happy days ahead of us. Not just me and Belladonna, but the entire town of Darkwood. Things were changing, and in the best of ways.
I’d called this place home for a long time, but for the first time since I founded this place, it actually felt like one. And I knew I had the witch at my side to thank for it all. If she hadn’t shown up that night, dosed me with a magick spell and taken advantage of the situation, then we may have never gotten to this point.
I could have lost out on my mate and daughter, could have stayed hidden for much longer, and I’d have missed out on so much.
Despite what I’d been told about Belladonna being the most powerful of witches, her powers were still at a relatively low level. I had to wonder if she’d ever tap into that potential. But I also knew she most likely wouldn’t try unless she had a good reason to. If they hadn’t awoken inside her when Thaddeus Kline had kidnapped her, then they might very well always remain dormant.
Not that it mattered. I didn’t care how powerful she was. Belladonna was mine, and that was the only thing I cared about.
When we got home, I saw the way she yawned and knew it was time for another nap. She’d been resting a lot since the big battle, and since stress wasn’t good for her or our daughter, I had no problem lying in bed with her whenever she needed to close her eyes for bit.
I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it. “Let’s get you upstairs and into bed.”
She nodded. “I don’t know why I’m so tired all the time.”
“I’ll have a doctor come check you out tomorrow. But I think everything that happened with your coven took a bigger toll on you than you realized. You’ll bounce back soon enough.”
In the bedroom, I stripped down to my boxers and helped her into her nightgown, then we crawled into bed together and cuddled close.
She traced patterns on my chest with her finger. “I think we’re going to have a good life together. You, me, and our daughter.”
I kissed her forehead. “I know we will.”
I stroked her back, feeling her relax against me. Her breathing evened out and I knew she’d fallen asleep. I didn’t care if we did more than this. Having her in my arms was enough. I closed my eyes, savoring the feel of her. This was all I needed. All I wanted. I’d found my purpose. My reason for living. And I’d cherish it -- cherish them . Always.
Her breathing was a steady rhythm, one that lulled me to sleep. I knew things wouldn’t be easy, but I had hope for the first time in my life. I drifted off to sleep, feeling lighter than I had in years. Because I’d found my home. My family. And I’d do whatever it took to keep them.