Epilogue Torin
ONE YEAR LATER
Sometimes I still couldn’t believe I was free of that monster, free of my cage. I’d spent so much time stuck in that horrible place, that horrible life, that I hadn’t imagined I’d ever be free.
But I was eternally grateful I was.
After the attack last year, my mates and their BCA friends had done an investigation into Joseph’s estate as well as the agent he’d paid off to look the other way. That agent had been arrested, and all of the bloodslaves and other fledglings he’d had were as free as I was.
As I gave Viper a pet from where he lay in the grass beside me, I looked at my two amazing mates and couldn’t help but smile.
They were sparring in our backyard, and both of them looked happy, smiling and laughing as they went.
We’d bought a house shortly after the attack because I hadn’t liked the daily reminder of the apartment across the hall. They’d also helped me find a job.
I’d never want to be an agent like the two of them, but I liked manning the front desk at the agency. All three of us were on the night shift—my guys had put in a request so we’d be on the same schedule—and I loved it a lot more than expected.
I liked greeting people and helping the people who came in or called. It felt good knowing I could help steer someone in the right direction—unlike the people who’d ignored me and sent me back to Joseph time and time again.
I could help make sure that never happened because I knew without an ounce of doubt that if I suspected an agent of misusing their position or turning people away, my guys would take care of it without hesitation. They trusted me and my judgment the same way I trusted them.
Finn came over to me and plopped down beside me, giving my cheek a kiss. He was sweaty and covered in mud, but he was happy, which made me smile. I passed him a bottle of water, and he drank the whole thing down in one go.
“Thanks.” He sighed. “I needed that.” He bumped my shoulder. “You ready to go flying?”
“Yes, but you’re not. You’re covered in mud.”
He looked down at himself and laughed. “Oh. Let me grab a shower.” He leaned in, and I met him halfway for a lingering kiss. And then he was gone and headed inside.
When Killian finished pulling the saddle for Viper out, he came over and bent down. I tilted my head back, and his lips found mine with unerring accuracy. I bit down on his bottom lip, earning a small moan, before we broke apart.
“I’m going to hop in the shower. You coming with?”
I shook my head. Did I want to see them both naked? Yes, yes, I did. But I knew from experience that if I climbed in there with them, we’d spend hours naked together and would never end up flying.
And I’d promised Viper we were going tonight.
He’d be upset if we didn’t.
“Boo.” Killian pecked my lips. “We’ll be quick.”
“Try to hurry. I’m going to get Viper’s saddle on while you guys are in there. If you take too long, Viper and I are leaving without you.”
His lips quirked up. “Oh? Is that right?”
“Uh-huh.”
He laughed, kissed the top of my head, and walked inside, calling over his shoulder, “We’ll hurry.”
I rolled my eyes and muttered under my breath, “We’ll see about that.” I glanced at the sweet black cat. “Ready to get your saddle on?”
Viper let out a small meow, then stood and stretched, making me grin at the cuteness.
He trotted out into the yard, and I followed behind.
It didn’t take long for Viper to shift and for me to put his saddle on. We’d found out pretty quickly that it was easier for us to ride together if we had a saddle. We’d tried it without, and it hadn’t been good at all. So we’d had a special saddle crafted to fit all three of us, and I loved it.
They’d told me I’d love flying, and they definitely weren’t wrong.
To my surprise, Finn and Killian joined me only a few minutes later, and I said, “I thought for sure you’d be in there for at least another twenty minutes.”
Finn grinned and kissed my lips. “We decided to wait.” He grabbed my belt loop and pulled me in until our groins were pressed together. “You know? Build up more of the tension.”
I smiled against his lips. “I can get on board with that.”
“Good.” He gave me a peck. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” And then because Killian was standing close, I reached over and dragged him to me, giving him a long kiss before whispering against his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you as well, darling.” Killian gave me a sweet smile, kissed my lips, then gave our fae a cheek kiss before backing away.
Finn kissed me hard before releasing me and smacking my ass. “Let’s go for this flight.”
Killian hooked his fingers together and created a little step for me, so I let him help me up into the saddle. I got the front seat—my favorite spot. He did the same for Finn, who took the seat behind me, and then our witch followed, sitting all the way in the back.
After hooking us into the saddle—just in case, we had ropes to keep us from falling—I leaned down and whispered, “Now, boy.”
Viper jumped into the air and spread out his wings. He gave them a big flap and caught the air under them.
My mates wrapped their arms around me, and I smiled, taking in the gorgeous view and knowing my men were at my back.
Whenever we went flying, it reminded me of everything I had to look forward to. Because I had a future now. I had a place. I had a life. I had freedom.
And it was all thanks to the two wonderful men who’d burst into my life and changed it all within a single day.
I put my arms out and soaked up the feeling of flying.
I was pretty sure I could only enjoy it this much because I knew my Finn and my Killian would never let me fall.