Epilogue
Haven Diner stood out amid the landscape of Peregrine City, its neon lights beckoning the wayward traveler.
A lifetime had passed since I’d first stumbled through the door in search of information about my father.
Now I arrived on the arm of the love of my life…
as well as one of the monsters who’d helped Sofia establish the place.
The more I learned about their organization, the more I loved Cillian for his involvement.
The majority of his closest friends were involved in some way in keeping the vulnerable monsters in the city safe.
In helping people get on their feet again.
In using their resources to help all monsterkind advance forward.
They were so different from the Human First organizations that were prevalent outside of the cities, where hatred flourished.
Last I’d heard, Damian had joined up with them, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest. I was relieved not only to be far away from him but that I’d surrounded myself with better people, ones I admired.
“We’re running late,” Cillian said, quickening his pace.
“I’m fairly certain that was your fault,” I commented, a wry grin rising to my lips.
When we’d been getting ready, Cillian had bent me over, taken me until I screamed, and knotted me.
I still felt the tingle from the rough way he’d ridden me, but I hadn’t complained.
Even if it had set us back in getting ready.
“Shush,” he murmured as he guided us toward the entrance of Haven.
The glass windows showcased a variety of customers inside, from all different walks of life.
We were there to see Sofia and Gretel, as well as a few of our friends, in celebration.
Months had passed since Cillian’s curse had been lifted, but the case of Thorin’s murder of my father had dragged out a bit.
However, the verdict was finally in. Guilty.
Thorin wouldn’t be our problem any longer.
Within days of signing the contract with Olivia, Cillian had contacted his lawyer and had it nullified.
Olivia had no mojo left to use against Cillian, as the death curse wasn’t something that could be repeated, and Amelia was already bringing the information Cillian had collected on Olivia and Henrik to the Council, the supernatural authorities.
And none of Thorin’s other lackeys had caused any more issues, even though that didn’t stop Amelia, Charles, and Theo from remaining vigilant.
I stepped into the diner, and the rush of memories dizzied me for a moment. Of being petrified and talking to my father’s contact. Of trying to protect a man who never deserved it. My gut churned at the realization that everything I’d done for him hadn’t mattered in the end.
Yet it had led me to Cillian, so I couldn’t regret it all.
A ruckus sounded to the right, and a smile rolled to my lips.
Already I recognized some of the voices.
The scent of cinnamon and allspice wafted through the place, adding to the warmth.
One of the larger side booths was cram packed with people, and we were about to join them.
Charles and Theo were squished on one side, Mal and Ursuline in the middle, and Amelia hung on the end with Gretel.
“Go. They’ll make space,” Sofia said, swooping up beside us. “You’ll scare my customers away.”
I snorted. “Like anyone here’s going to be scared of a little noise.”
She grinned at me and glanced between us. “I’m glad you found him, Cillian. You complement each other perfectly.”
My throat tightened with emotion. She was too right.
Even though push and pull still existed between us—times I reminded Cillian about manners or when we bickered—overall, we made each other better.
And that was what I’d been searching for from a relationship my entire life.
One where we learned and grew in each other’s presence, like flowers slowly blooming toward the sun.
“Maury mentioned you owed him some information,” Sofia said, her eyes twinkling. “He might be visiting the Spires soon to claim it.”
My eyes widened, and Cillian passed me a look. However, I hadn’t promised anything outside my capacity as a librarian, and that I’d happily employ. “We’ll discuss it later,” I said. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Look who finally stopped fucking to show up,” Charles called over, and I rolled my eyes. I’d long since gotten used to his level of crass, and I found it refreshing after spending the day in meetings with Cillian, dealing with the businessmen he had to navigate through.
“You’re welcome,” Cillian responded as he slid into the small space at the end of the booth and nudged at Charles’s shoulder. “Make some space.”
“Would a please kill you?” I asked as I lifted my brow.
“Pretty sure it would,” Charles responded as he and Theo nudged over as much as possible. I sat down on the scrap of seat left, and Cillian’s arm wrapped around my shoulders as he drew me in close to him. I didn’t protest the PDA at all. In fact, I reveled in it.
“You’re out in public again,” Mal said with a gasp, bringing his hand over his mouth. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“I’m also not getting stalked and harassed every time,” Cillian said. “It didn’t make excursions enjoyable.”
“May Thorin Glass get everything karma has in store for him,” Ursuline said, lifting their cup of coffee with one tentacle.
“Well put,” Amelia said, her grin sharp and her gaze lethal. After learning a bit more about her, I’d come to understand she was truly the scariest thing in the Spires, and I had undying respect for the woman. Especially after she’d come to my rescue.
“What are you ordering?” Cillian asked me.
“Last time I came here I was so nervous I just choked down some coffee,” I said, shaking my head. “Get me whatever you think is good.”
“Right.” Cillian didn’t bother with the menu, and when Sofia slipped over with coffees for the both of us, he placed an order for roast beef sandwiches. I’d grown so used to eating and ordering at the Spires that I was a bit spoiled by Theo’s meals.
“Riordan shit in the main hall again,” Charles complained to me.
“Take that up with him.” I shrugged. “I clean his litterbox on the daily.”
“How you got him to agree to a cat is beyond me,” Theo said. “Mr. Brooding for Breakfast never allowed pets before.”
“My father never let me have a pet,” Cillian said. “I just didn’t see the purpose.”
“And now he’s smitten with Riordan,” I teased. It was true, though. I hadn’t even been the one to mention a cat to Cillian. He’d remembered an earlier conversation and brought it up, knowing I’d always wanted to get one.
Those little details, they proved his love with a steadfastness I’d craved. And I wouldn’t stop falling for him either.
Every single day, I woke up and fell in love with him all over again.
His eyes met mine, a tenderness gleaming in the golden depths that soaked through me.
I wasn’t sure how I’d survived without him in my life before, but I couldn’t any longer.
Laughter came from Gretel and Amelia, and Charles began to bicker with Ursuline over the last game night.
Their voices sounded all around me, filling me with a warmth and comfort I didn’t think would ever be accessible.
Cillian’s arm tightened around me, and I leaned in against him, basking in the safety his presence brought. I’d never be lonely again, and it was all thanks to him.
When I’d first come to the doors of the Spires, I’d believed my life was ending, when in truth it had only just begun. I’d thought Cillian was my captor, but he’d been the one to set me free.
And even if I lived a thousand lives, I’d choose him every time.