Epilogue
Rosemary
I stood in the clearing in my bare feet, my white dress trailing around me along the lush, flower-strewn grass. I had come here a hundred times already since that battle, helping the plants recover, and restoring the downed trees. But most of all, I’d been here to find out what had happened to the Galamut in his prison.
Chardum didn’t sense any evil, and neither did I. It made my dragon mate worry that the monster had escaped, and slipped away when we were both down, but I didn’t believe that. I’d twined root after root around that prison, crushed it into oblivion. Most of all, I’d felt it as I’d won the fight with the weakened, half-slumbering monster inside the prison. It was gone. It was never coming back, and Chardum and I were free to leave here if we wanted to.
We just didn’t feel like giving up our home. Because that’s what the farm and the surrounding land were, home. This was where I belonged, growing corn and vegetables, tending my house and the town. In the past weeks, I’d visited a dozen farms in the area and revitalized them. The Sheriff’s sister had only been the start, and it excited me each time I got called to do it again. I loved it.
Turning around, I clutched my hand to my flat belly and gazed at the crowd gathered around the clearing. It might seem weird to some, but I had wanted to celebrate our wedding here. A big fuck you to the evil thing that once resided here. Reclaiming it for something good and wonderful.
My new husband wasn’t far away, swaying with Granny Liz in his arms to the cheerful music from the town’s one and only band. When he caught my gaze, he beamed a smile, and I felt his arms wrap around me, a phantom presence warm and real. I loved it when he did that.
A moment later, he bowed to his dance partner and then hurriedly jogged to me, sweeping me up in his arms with a laugh. “Mate, you are too far away. Looking so beautiful.” He nuzzled his face against the side of mine, his tongue sneakily flicking out to trail along the curl of a green tendril that curled around the side of my neck. I giggled because it tickled.
Then I pulled his hand around my body to press it against my belly. “Yeah, I wonder? Will you still think I’m beautiful when my belly is all round, Mr. Destroyer?” His eyes went huge, his tongue flicking out again, though in his human shape, he couldn’t actually smell with it. Then he dropped to his knees and pressed his ear to my belly.
“Ooh…” was all he said. When he lifted his head to look at me, I realized his gold eyes were shiny with unshed tears. His emotions overwhelmed him until I felt it pour along our bond, happiness, a hint of fear.
“I think maybe you are Chardum the Lifegiver from now on, don’t you think?” My own heart was full of happiness. I knew he’d love the news when I figured it out that morning, but I was glad I’d waited until now to tell him. Surrounded by all our friends, after one of the best days of my life.
Of course, Granny Liz immediately understood what was going on. She whistled and started clapping, loudly congratulating us. And under hoots of laughter, well wishing, and eager handshakes. Chardum and I left the party to celebrate in our home.
THE END