Epilogue
Two days later…
“I’m so glad you were able to stay, even if it’s for a short time,” Pam said as she embraced both Hektor and Zara. “Say hello to your brother and sister, honey.”
“We’ll be back for the holidays,” Zara assured her.
“It’s unfortunate, but we must return to our work,” Hektor said. “Our leader said we are needed urgently.”
That morning, they received a call from Perseus, letting them know that the mothers of the three basilisks had returned to Solkaris from their mission.
Apparently, they confirmed that all of them, at some point, had slept with Zeus and it was possible at least one of their eggs was his.
Elian and Liora had already returned to Solkaris, so they needed Zara and Hektor there ASAP.
“Stay safe,” Roberto said. “Both of you.”
“Thank you, Roberto, and thank you both for your hospitality these past few days,” Hektor said.
“You’re very welcome. Please come back anytime,” he replied. “You’re family now, too, after all.”
“Thank you.” And he really did feel like family. As soon as Zara agreed to be his mate, Roberto and Pam immediately treated him like he was one of their own, even though he and Zara weren’t technically married yet.
Hektor had meant what he said about marrying Zara and was even prepared to take her ring shopping.
However, over the last two days, they discussed it and they decided they would wait before getting married “on paper” as she said.
It didn’t matter to Hektor whether they signed one or a thousand pieces of paper or none at all; to him they were mated and that was all that mattered.
The air shimmered with magic and in an instant, Lord Eros appeared in front of them. “Hello, hello,” he said to Zara and Hektor. “I was told you needed some transport?” He turned to Pam and Roberto, his voice dripping with charm as he said. “Good morning, you must be Zara’s sister and brother.”
“Oh, you’re a charming one,” Pam replied wryly, while Roberto only laughed. “You must be Lord Eros.”
“I’m glad my reputation precedes me.” He bowed to her with a flourish. “Now, I hate to rush you, but…”
“Of course,” Hektor said. “We must be off.”
Zara slid her hand into his, their fingers intertwining. “Bye, Mom, Papá!”
And with a wave of Eros’s hand, they were off.
Returning home to Vale Crossing was oddly comforting. Odd, because although Hektor had never left this realm before, the moment he did come back, he just knew that he was home. His body, his senses, his very being knew this was home.
And yet today, it was different.
Because today he was returning to his home realm with a mate.
Next to him, Zara’s face slowly shimmered into a physical presence, her smile bright and eyes shining as always.
Now, though, he knew they shone for him.
“And here we are, back in Vale Crossing,” Lord Eros said as they all fully materialized. “I’ve taken the liberty of bringing you all the way to Solkaris as well, so you don’t have to make the long drive.”
A sense of déjà vu washed over Hektor as they appeared right in the middle of the busy lobby of the Stonestare Suites. Thankfully, no one batted an eye at their sudden appearance, and the basilisks around them simply went about their business.
Zara shivered. “I don’t think I can get used to traveling by magic. But, it’s better than taking a plane. Thank you for the ride, Lord Eros.”
The God of Love and Desire nodded. “My pleasure. And I’m glad to see everything worked out.” He glanced down meaningfully at their linked hands and then back up at Hektor, the expression on his face sending a clear message.
I told you so.
And for once, Hektor did not resent the god of love and desire’s smugness.
“Sorry to have to drop you off and run, but I do have my duties to attend to.” With that, the god simply disappeared.
“Back to reality,” Zara said with a long sigh. “It was nice to get away though, right?”
“Definitely,” he said.
The last two days had been like a dream.
They had spent every moment together in Santa Fe, with Zara acting like his tour guide as they went around town.
He loved listening to all her stories about growing up on the Upperworld, all the things she did, the places she used to frequent.
The joy she brought into his life was nothing like he’d imagined.
After everything that had happened, he finally had a mate. It was an unconventional path for sure, but he wouldn’t have done it any other way.
But it wasn’t over yet.
Zara was his mate, yes, and now the work begins.
A Drakkon’s vow to put his mate above all else was a serious pledge. He would do whatever she asked of him, as long as it would bring her happiness.
“Liora said to just pick up our keys from the reception then come down to the cafe for a quick meeting.”
He followed her to retrieve their keycards, then made their way to their suite upstairs, which Zara quickly unlocked and then gestured for him to go in first.
“Good thinking, I should check the room for any danger.” His mate’s well-being and safety was of utmost importance, he reminded himself. “Stay—ooopmh!”
Someone tackled him from behind, then spun him around so he landed on his back. At first he thought he’d been attacked.
Turns out, he was—by his mate.
“Zara?”
She straddled his hips. “Alone. Finally.” She ground down on his lap. “No more parents. You don’t have any excuse now.”
Yes, they had spent every minute together in Santa Fe, and he even slept in her bedroom. But, that’s all they did—sleep. Though she was more than willing, Hektor just couldn’t bring himself to make love to Zara under her parents’ roof. It felt highly disrespectful.
“Don’t we have a meeting soon?”
“We have an hour.” She ran her hands over his chest. “I’ve been as dry as the Solkarian desert. I need you, Hektor.” The way she said need sent a bolt of desire to his cock. “And I want your second dick to come out again.”
“That was the one and only time it did,” he confessed.
“Does that mean we’re fated mates? Like with shifters.”
“I hate to disappoint you, but Drakkons do not have fated mates.”
“I’m not disappointed. You could never disappoint me, Hektor.”
Her words warmed his heart and Hektor knew now more than ever that Zara was the right choice. “I love you, Zara.”
She grabbed the hem of her shirt and whipped it over her head, then bent down over him, capturing his mouth with hers, setting the tone and tempo of their kiss. And of course, impatient little minx she was, she was going at breakneck speed, her kisses urgent as she ripped at his clothes.
He let her ravage him with her mouth, all the while continuing to grind her hips down on him.
The sweet friction was too much, and his cock was rock hard in seconds.
Impatient hands ripped at the button of his pants, pulling the seam open.
Lifting his hips, he helped her ease them and his underwear down so his erection sprung free.
She licked at her lips as she grasped him with both hands, gripping his cock and stroking it in a slow, deliberate manner that had him moaning and thrusting his hips up.
“Zara!” They had an hour but he didn’t want to come too fast. Not yet. And not before she had her pleasure.
In one motion, he flipped them over, so that he was now on top.
She let out a squeal of surprise and delight, her knees spreading so she could cradle him between her thighs.
As he bent his head down for a kiss, he slipped a hand under her waistband, his claw teasing the now-damp fabric of the front of her panties.
He traced over her slit, making her moan in pleasure.
“I want to—”
A sharp rapping made them both freeze.
“Shhhhh!” Zara placed a hand on Hektor’s mouth. “Maybe they’ll go away.”
“Zara!” came Liora’s voice through the door. “I know you’re in there.”
Zara groaned. “Noooooo…”
“Zara!”
“Go away!” she screamed.
“Open this door right now,” her sister shouted back. “Or else.”
“Or else what?”
“I’ll knock it down.”
“Is she serious?” Hektor asked.
She shot him a look that said, What do you think?
He blew out a breath. “Give us a minute, Liora,” he said, then rolled off Zara. “Come, we should get back to work anyway.”
“We still have at least forty-five minutes until the meeting,” his mate grumbled as she retrieved her shirt from the floor.
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I know. But you should see what she wants. It sounds urgent.”
“It better be.”
Once they had both righted themselves, Hektor opened the door. “Liora,” he greeted.
“Hektor.” Liora barged in without waiting for an invitation. “You’re finally back,” she said to her sister.
“Yes.” Zara put her hands on her hips. “And? What was so important that had you threatening to commit criminal damage to property.”
“It would have been a misdemeanor at most.” Liora eyed her. “Sorry to interrupt your…fun times. From that murderous look on your face, Zara, I’m guessing you didn’t get that post-mating boinking—”
“What do you want?” Zara snapped. “I thought the meeting was at ten?”
Liora’s lips pulled back into a tight line. “I need to talk to you. Before the meeting. A lot has happened while you’ve been gone.”
Zara let out an exasperated sound. “What could possibly—”
“There you are, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Hektor’s protective instincts flared up as soon as the stranger crossed the threshold of their suite.
With lightning speed, he positioned himself in front of his mate, his chest flaring with heat, his vision blurring at the edges with rage.
“How dare you barge in here? Leave or else I will burn you to ashes!”
“Whoa, whoa!” The stranger—a tall basilisk with green scales—held his hands up. “Not this again. Tone it down, dude.” He tsked. “Drakkons are always soooo dramatic.”
“Hektor, no!” Zara’s arm snaked around his elbow and pulled him back. “He’s one of the three basilisks from the bar, remember? One of Zeus’s sons. Maldenis, right?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”