Epilogue
LEON
My last patient for the day heads down the stone path towards the cluster of tree portals that will take him home to Adreania, his broken arm healed. The cheerful night healers arrive to take over my duties for the evening, wishing me farewell.
I’m desperate to see Izadella after a long day of healing and teaching, and my need to be near my Zemra hums in my veins as the door shuts behind me. Her happiness at using her jewelsmith powers on whatever she is creating shimmers in the bond and it always pleases me.
The Healer’s Hall Izadella and I had built stands near our cottage, surrounded by the tall trees of the Merawood Forest, alive with magic once more.
It houses multiple birthing centers, healing chambers, kitchens, and lesson rooms for the medical academy I teach at.
By the entrance the tree portals that connect to Ellova, Adreania, and Kalvorn are open, ready to receive patients.
It has become a sanctuary for fae and mortals alike for whatever medical need they may have.
The cottage has been expanded, giving my Zemra and me more space, growing to a sturdy three-story home. Nueena and Tavien even have their own room there.
We still spend many nights in Ellova and Kalvorn, but our home here among the trees is our favorite.
Farren watches me from a nearby bush and joins me on my walk to find Izadella. I pause and he brushes against my leg affectionately before we continue. He has a little more gray in his dark fur than when I met him, but my healing magic is keeping the feisty little fox with us as long as possible.
The door to the forge is open for my sake; when she keeps it shut all day, it’s unbearably hot, and I’m always fascinated seeing her work. I could watch her for hours.
This was the place I lost her, the same place where I fought death to keep her.
Nothing can separate her from me now.
Farren picks up speed, dashing into the workshop.
Izadella’s delighted voice rings out and it sends warmth washing down my spine.
I lean against the doorframe, watching the love of my life pick up her beloved pet and pepper his forehead with kisses.
The jewelry she has created today is laid out on her workspace.
Her desk is pushed up against the forge, the flames glinting off the precious metals she has scattered about.
She glances up at me, and she still steals the breath from my lungs after being away from her for most of the day.
She wears a loose, sleeveless yellow dress that brushes the tops of her thighs when she stands. The deep vee teases me with the swell of her breasts, just begging me to pull down the fabric for a taste.
“Hello,” she says in the honeyed tone that lets me know she has missed me as much as I’ve missed her, our lust building in the bond.
“Strawberries.”
Her smile widens, eyes heating. It may have been over a century since she became my beloved Zemra, but every day still feels new.
Farren struggles, demanding to be put down, and she gently places him on the floor. He runs out, probably spotting a firefly to chase, leaving her arms open for me.
Where I will always belong.
The fading light of the setting sun paints her front in golden hues. Behind her, the forge’s flames roars. Its cerulean light haloes her, highlighting all the curves I've memorized. Skin I’ve kissed for countless hours during endless moonlit nights.
My own personal goddess.
Her warm hands have spent today commanding copper and guiding gold, but now she draws me to her. I step into her embrace and wrap my arms around her waist. Her hands ascend up the fabric on my chest, cupping my face with a happy sigh.
Our bond is filled with the contentment of reuniting, soft and serene.
My lips are on hers, gifting her with tender affection. My hips press up against her and gently push her towards her work desk. It rattles a bit from the force when her perfect ass hits it.
I need to show her all the ways I’ve missed her today. I haven’t heard her moans of pleasure since this morning and that was far too long ago.
We break apart, just long enough for me to lift her up, gently placing her on her desk before I shower her with kiss after kiss.
“My love,” I whisper into her ear before heading to her sensitive neck and suck deeply.
She moans as I continue to lavish her with attention, marking her in a way that will last for days, before making my way back up her face, kissing her jaw and cheeks, anything I can get my lips on, all-consuming.
“You are wearing too much clothing, Leon,” she sighs, hot on my skin.
“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?” I say with a deep laugh.
I begin to unbutton my vest. I can feel her impatience in the bond. When I stumble on a button, too eager to get it off, she rips the fabric apart, buttons flying around us.
How greedy we are for each other.
“Arms up,” I say and she obeys, letting me pull off the dress that separates us, tossing it to the stone floor.
I reach behind her to shove some of the jewelry to the side, clearing the space and gingerly help her to lie down on the desk.
It’s too short, so the top of her descends into the forge, glowing embers dancing beneath her.
She looks up at me through the blue flames that kiss her skin as I do, swirling around her, lying among piles of gemstones and golden necklaces, looking like the fiery queen she will always be to me.
Our bond is pulsating with affection. I adore these moments with her, bare and ready for me.
I lean down to take one breast in my mouth, the other cupped in my palm, teasing each nipple with my tongue and fingers.
The heat of the forge is blistering, the fire scorching my skin, but my magic rushes to heal any burns.
Every lick and suck is worth it.
Through the bond I can sense the pressure of my body above her is a balm to her soul, making her feel feverish.
I reach down between us, finding her wet and wanting. I swirl my finger around her clit a few times before sliding two fingers into her, pumping slowly, captivated by her.
Her desire is burning between us and she will not be sated by a few leisurely touches.
My cock throbs, still retrained by my pants as I kiss down her stomach, hands grabbing her waist. I drag her ass to the edge of the desk and kneel before her.
She giggles, her legs open for me, and she places each one on my shoulders, wiggling her hips to taunt me with her taste.
This is exactly where I want her, open and desperate before me.
Fluttering my lips over her skin, I am slow to explore. My pleasure at her own rises with her panting begs as I playfully kiss the inside of her thighs. I know just how badly she wants me; her lust is blinding in the bond, but I enjoy drawing out the yearning.
“Please, Leon!”
I smile into her skin at her sweet supplication and give her what she aches for.
Anything for my Zemra.
I slide two fingers through her center, revealing her to me. She is spread before me. Her back arches at the first swipe of my tongue. “Mine.”
That word shoots like lightning into her and she shudders.
“Yes, all yours, forever,” she whimpers. “Please, don’t deny me any longer.”
I’m ravenous for her pleasure, delving into her, focusing on her clit, sucking and swirling around it, fingers returning to glide into her.
She gasps and moans, and the wanton sound is music to my ears.
Her fingers tangle in my hair before she grasps my hair at the root, moving my mouth to the exact rhythm she desires. Her hips move in time with my tongue, demanding her orgasm, taking what’s hers.
She breaks apart so beautifully, lips in an exquisite O, my eyes nearly rolling back inside my head at the taste of her release.
I lick my lips, not willing to waste any of her, kissing my way back up her body.
Her hands grab for my pants and I chuckle, helping her to spring my cock free. She widens her bent knees, waiting for me.
I line up our hips, seating myself between her thighs. I slide myself up and down her, hitting her overly sensitive clit, gathering some of the wetness. I stroke myself a few times before pushing my length in slowly.
We have come together like this in countless ways, but each time, I have a renewed reverence at how perfect she is for me.
It’s been well over a century since we almost lost each other, and I’ve never taken one day for granted. Every minute with her is precious, building a gentle life she loves.
I fill her with everything I have.
Each one of my thrusts slides her a little in and out of the forge, over and over again. Embers fly up like glittering stars, the flames cascading around her with the movement.
The sight is so magnificent I can easily forget the fire licks at my skin.
It’s overwhelming that I have the honor of loving her, treasuring her. That after a day of healing and service to those in need, I get to come home to her.
Her moans echo around us. We cling to each other as I pound into her, pouring my love and obsession through the bond.
I could never have asked for a more perfect Zemra.
Our bond is burning with her budding orgasm, and I will be quick to follow. Her core tightens around me while she screams my name, writhing under me.
We fall over the edge together, lost in each other’s pleasure.
I slowly rise off her, helping her up, and she kisses me, long and slow, our tongues meeting in the middle before we dress and leave the forge.
The sky is clear, and the stars shine above us as we walk hand in hand back to our cottage.
We will spend the evening reading, sipping on blackberry wine, and making grand plans for the future. She and I have traveled all over every kingdom, have friends in every realm. Some nights are slow and intimate here, some are lively and vibrant at the palace.
There never seems to be enough time with her, but I’m eternally grateful for each moment.
All we need is each other, those we love, and our fox.
The gift of a long, fae life with her.
My Zemra.