Zorens Epilogue
10 years later...
Ten years. Sometimes it felt like yesterday when I held Marcus and Alexander for the first time, and other times it seemed like a lifetime ago. The boys had grown into remarkable ten-year-olds, each displaying unique combinations of Lyrian's empathic abilities and my... more practical strengths. They were the perfect representation of who we were.
A commotion from the training yard drew my attention. Alexander was sparring with one of our security teams, his movements already showing promise of the fighter he'd become. Nearby, Marcus sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in concentration as he practiced extending his empathic range under Lyrian's careful guidance. Both made me proud.
They were so different, yet perfectly complementary. Just like their fathers.
"The Rivera delegation is here," Chen announced, appearing at my office door. After all these years, she remained one of our most trusted lieutenants. Things certainly wouldn't be as smooth here as they were if she weren't here. "Lyrian's already sensing their intentions. He's a fast learner."
I nodded, no longer feeling the instinctive worry I once did when Lyrian used his abilities. We'd learned balance over the years, established protocols that kept him safe while allowing him to fully utilize his strengths. It had made all the difference.
"Their emotional signatures are genuine," Lyrian confirmed, entering with Marcus trailing behind him. "They really want this alliance."
Alexander bounded in moments later, still flushed from training. "Can I watch the negotiations? I want to learn how Dad reads people!"
"Only if you shower first," I said, earning a dramatic eye roll that reminded me so much of Lyrian at his most stubborn. "And remember—"
"I know, I know," Alexander interrupted. "Observation only. No trying to sense emotions without Dad's supervision." He darted off, Marcus following at a more sedate pace. It was hard to keep up with him.
Lyrian laughed, the sound still making my heart skip even after all these years. "He reminds me of someone else who had to learn patience."
"I wasn't that bad," I protested, but we both knew better. Then, we both burst out laughing, the sound filling the room.
The changes in our organization over the past decade proved that. Where once I'd tried to control everything—and everyone—myself, we now operated on a model of shared leadership. Lyrian's intelligence network complemented my security forces. His diplomatic skills balanced my more... direct approaches.
I hadn't wanted to admit it back then, worried sick about his well-being, but he was the perfect partner for me. I needed someone that could counterbalance me.
"The Rivera meeting will be interesting," Lyrian mused, reviewing reports on his tablet. That it was going to be interesting was putting it mildly, I thought. "Their youngest son is showing signs of empathic ability. They're hoping we can help them understand it."
More and more empaths had emerged in the underworld over the years. Many sought us out, drawn by Lyrian's reputation and the safety we offered. Our territory had become a haven of sorts, protected by both my strength and Lyrian's understanding.
Who would have thought such a thing would happen? I hadn't anticipated it, but now I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Lyrian and our sons didn't have to be alone.
"Remember when you tried to keep me locked away from all this?" Lyrian teased, sensing my reflective mood. "Imagine what we would have missed."
"I was an idiot," I admitted freely. It had taken time, but I'd learned that protecting someone didn't mean controlling them. "Though you have to admit, you didn't make it easy on me."
"Nothing worth having comes easy." He set aside his tablet, moving closer. "But look what we built together. The boys growing up seeing true partnership. Our organization stronger than ever. All because we learned to trust each other's strengths."
And he was right about that. It was all because we changed.
The door then burst open again as Alexander returned, now clean but still energetic. "The Riveras are in the conference room! Can we start?"
Marcus appeared more sedately, already focused on the emotional signatures he could sense. "Their son is nervous," he reported. "But curious too."
"Just like you were at that age," Lyrian told him fondly. "Remember, both of you—watching only today. You can practice with Mae later."
I watched my family prepare for the meeting, marveling at how naturally they balanced each other. Alexander's enthusiasm tempered by Marcus's calm. Lyrian's abilities complemented by my protective instincts. All of us stronger together than we ever could have been apart.
It was a relieving thought. I had fewer worries in my life. Despite the hardships that followed, it was all worth it in the end.
"Ready?" Lyrian asked, extending his hand to me.
"Always," I replied, taking it and nodding. Even after all these years, his touch still grounded me. His hand was warm and reminded me of all the good times we spent together, as well as the good things still to come in our lives.
The meeting went exactly as planned, another successful negotiation added to our growing list of allies. But the real victory wasn't in the signed agreements or expanded territory. It was in watching our sons learn from both their fathers, seeing how partnership could be stronger than dominance.
Did I wish they could have a life without the cartel? Yes, I did. But this was okay too. The cartel would provide them safety, despite the danger that came with it. After all, danger exists no matter where one is or what they are doing; it’s a fundamental part of existence.
Later that night, after the boys were finally asleep (Alexander's endless questions about empathic abilities finally exhausted—for now, as I knew that, tomorrow, he would have many more, bless his overactive mind), Lyrian and I stood on our balcony overlooking the compound.
"They're going to be amazing leaders," Lyrian said softly. "Both of them, in their own ways."
"They already are," I agreed. "Because they've grown up seeing what real strength looks like. Not just physical power or special abilities, but the strength that comes from trusting each other. That's our biggest gift."
Lyrian leaned against me, his presence as comforting now as it had been a decade ago. "We did good, didn't we? Despite all our early struggles."
"We did perfect," I corrected, pulling him closer.
As the moon hung high in the star-studded sky, casting a silver glow across our private chambers, Lyrian turned to face me, his eyes shimmering with desire. I knew what he wanted and what he was thinking. I wanted the same thing, too.
Ten years of partnership, love, and mutual respect had only served to deepen the hunger between us. We could never be sated. Not for long, anyway.
"You know,"Lyrian purred, tracing a finger along my chest,"you never fail to take my breath away. The way you command respect, protect those you love, and balance the delicate line you walk..."His voice trailed off into a whisper as he leaned in, capturing my lips in a searing kiss.
I knew he was going to do that, so it wasn't a surprise.
I responded eagerly, one hand tangling in his hair while the other gripped his hip. Our tongues clashed against each other, engaging in a familiar yet passionate duel. Lyrian melted against me, surrendering himself to my dominant embrace.
Breaking the kiss, I growled lowly against his ear,"You drive me crazy, you know that? The way you yield to me, trust me implicitly... it's intoxicating."
Lyrian shuddered, tilting his head to give me better access to his sensitive neck."Only for you, though. I'd never do the same for anyone else,"he gasped as I nipped and sucked at his racing pulse."No one else brings out this side of me. You're the exception."
My hands roamed greedily over his body, mapping out every dip and curve I knew. Lyrian arched into my touch, his own desire evident in the hardness pressing insistently against my thigh.
In a show of strength, I hoisted him up, encouraging Lyrian to wrap his legs around my waist. He complied without resistance, strong thighs clinging to me as I carried him towards our bed. A few heated kisses later, we tumbled onto the mattress, a tangle of limbs and rising passion.
Clothing was shed as though we would rather be naked for the rest of our lives, impatient fingers fumbling with buttons and zippers until smooth skin met hot skin. I took a moment to admire Lyrian splayed out beneath me—flushed cheeks, heaving chest, and half-lidded eyes darkened with lust. A debauched masterpiece created solely for my pleasure.
Leaning down, I captured one rosy nipple between my teeth, teasing it until Lyrian keened and bucked underneath me. My hand drifted lower, wrapping around his aching cock and stroking firmly. Pre-cum leaked steadily from the tip, easing the glide of my fist.
"I thought it was going to take me longer this time to reach this point, but fuck it, I'm saying it anyway,"Lyrian whimpered, hips rocking up into my touch."I need you inside of me so much. In fact, it's the only thing I'm thinking about right now. I need it as much as I need air."
Not needing further encouragement, I released him long enough to position myself between his spread thighs. With a swift thrust, I hilted fully within his tight heat, groaning at the exquisite sensation of being enveloped so perfectly. And in that moment, I also couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't the perfect moment to get him pregnant again.
"Yes!"Lyrian cried out, back arching off the bed."So big, filling me up..."
I set a relentless pace, driving into him again and again as he clung to me. The obscene sound of flesh slapping against flesh mingled with our wanton moans and the creaking protest of the bed frame bearing witness to our fervent sex.
Sweat slicked our straining bodies as we moved together, lost in the intensity of the moment. Lyrian's walls fluttered around my pistoning cock, gripping me like a velvet vice. Each drag against that sweet spot deep inside him earned me a choked sob of ecstasy.
"Gonna...gonna come soon,"I grunted, feeling my release fast approaching. I shifted angles, making sure to hit that bundle of nerves dead-on with every plunge, and he loved it. I could see it in his face.
"Not...not yet,"Lyrian panted, nails raking down my back hard enough to leave red welts in their wake."Want...want us to come together..."
Determined to grant his wish, I reached between our sweat-slicked bodies, finding his dripping dick. In time with my increasingly erratic thrusts, I pumped it, smearing the copious pre-cum leaking from the slit.
The added stimulation proved too much for Lyrian, pushing him careening over the edge. His orgasm crashed through him, inner muscles clamping down around my throbbing member as thick ropes of pearlescent seed painted his stomach and chest.
With a roar of completion, I followed him into blissful oblivion, spurting jet after jet of hot cum deep into his spasming channel. Wave after wave of intense pleasure washed over me, leaving me shuddering and gasping above him.
Boneless and sated, I collapsed onto the bed beside Lyrian, gathering him close. We lay there panting, basking in the afterglow as our heart rates gradually slowed. Lazy kisses were exchanged languidly, soft caresses soothing heated skin.
"I love you," Lyrian murmured, snuggling deeper into my embrace. "I keep saying it because it's true. It's one of the things I think about every day."
"I know," I swore solemnly, tightening my arms around him. "It's the same way with me, too."