Epilogue
Wynn stood next to Azh, wrapped in a sense of blissful peace.
Odd, considering she was standing on the edge of a massive pyramid floating hundreds of feet off the ground.
Not to mention the fact dozens of lethal dragons were zooming past the open doorway, occasionally sending blasts of scorching flames through the air along with ear-splitting roars.
It’d been a couple of weeks since she’d awakened in a four-poster bed in the secluded lair at the back of the royal temple. Since then she’d watched with smug satisfaction as Azh stepped into his role as King of the Dragons, assisting his people in their return to their homeland.
It hadn’t always been easy. The large beasts were ill-tempered after their long hibernation and easily provoked to violence when things didn’t go their way.
And there was still the mystery of what had happened to Zanna, Azh’s mother.
She’d disappeared along with Gabriela and there was a faint fear that they might be lurking in some dark pit, waiting to stir up trouble again.
But gradually they were settling into their various lairs and absorbing the potent magic that had been fully cleansed of the corruption.
Which meant that Azh could at last spend some time enjoying the freedom that he’d earned for his people.
Wynn leaned against his hard body covered by a long satin robe stitched with silver thread and held together with massive sapphires that marked his position as royalty.
She’d been surprised when he’d presented her with a matching robe, insisting that his people had offered them as gifts to thank them for their battle against Gabriela.
“It’s beautiful,” Wynn murmured, her gaze locked on the black dragon who swept past the doorway of the pyramid, opening his claws to drop a delicate gold box that was no doubt filled with priceless gems. The dragons had been leaving tributes on the ledge of the temple for days.
It was a display of approval for Azh’s leadership.
“Yes,” Azh agreed in soft tones. “Exquisite.”
Wynn turned her head, smiling as she realized he was staring at her with the eyes of his dragon, his expression hungry.
If she were a humble creature, she would wonder how she’d ever been lucky enough to attract the notice of this amazing, deliciously sexy beast. Instead she simply accepted that fate had brought them together. And she wasn’t going to argue.
Not when it meant spending her nights wrapped in the arms of this male.
Tilting back her head, Wynn savored the pure perfection of his features. “You explained how Zion used his magic to imprison Gabriela before she could spread the corruption to our world, but how did he recognize you were the dragon destined to defeat her? I mean, I always knew you were special...”
Azh snorted, no doubt remembering her early efforts to evade his ruthless stalking.
“But how did Zion know?”
“It was proclaimed by the oracles.” Azh pointed toward the soaring walls that angled to meet in a sharp point at the top.
As he continued to point upward, one of the elaborate hieroglyphs etched onto the wall suddenly blazed with a bluish fire.
“That’s me. And beneath it is written the death of Gabriela.
Zion said that it appeared shortly after I first hatched. ”
Wynn arched her brows. Zion had retired to a private lair in the mountains, earning a well-deserved rest after his eons of protecting the dragons.
“You have your own symbol?” she teased.
“Not just me.” Azh pointed toward the braided lines that circled his hieroglyph. They abruptly glowed with a blinding silver light. “Those belong to you.”
“Me?” Wynn’s breath caught in her throat. “No way.”
Azh lowered his arm to wrap it around her waist, tugging her close as he gazed down at her with an unbearable tenderness.
“I knew from the moment our paths crossed that destiny had brought you into my life. And now it’s confirmed. Two symbols that are intertwined to create a new beginning for our people.”
“But I’m not a dragon,” Wynn protested, even though she still possessed the crimson strand of magic. Thankfully it had diminished to the point it no longer interfered with her other spells, but she was only now learning how to use the impressive power.
“Don’t tell them that.” Azh nodded toward the opening where the dragons continued to fly past, nodding their heads in gestures of respect. “They’ve already accepted you as one of their own.”
Wynn released a slow breath of pure contentment. This was exactly where she wanted to be. Of course, a tiny voice whispered in the back of her mind, it wouldn’t be entirely awful to return home to see her friends.
She glanced toward the rift in the sky that shimmered with Azh’s blue-tinted magic. “Will you close the portal?”
“Not yet.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure it’s healthy to be isolated.
We need to develop a tolerance and appreciation for other species that was sadly missing when we were banished from our homeland.
Until it’s proven we can’t find a way to live in harmony with our neighbors, the doorway will remain open. ”
“Good.” She leaned her head against his broad chest. “There might be times I’d like to go back and visit.”
“Quick visits,” he growled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I don’t want to be parted from you a moment longer than necessary.”
A shiver raced through Wynn, stirring the passions that she was quite certain would never be fully sated.
“You know. I was thinking.” Her fingers brushed over the silken texture of his robe, feeling his muscles clench beneath her light caress.
“Yes?” The word came out as a growl, the metallic scent of his dragon swirling through the air.
“I’m feeling much stronger since my battle with Gabriela, but I probably shouldn’t risk being out of bed so soon,” she murmured, unhooking the sapphire buttons on her robe to expose the bare skin beneath. “In fact I’m thinking I might go back there right now.”
Heat swept over her, igniting her desire until she trembled with anticipation.
“My clever thief. Where you lead, I will follow.” With a sharp wave of his hand, the opening to the temple slid shut. A less than discreet way to tell the dragons they didn’t want to be bothered. The beast watched her from the depths of Azh’s smoky eyes. “Always.”
Blowing him a kiss, Wynn turned to race toward the back of the temple, heading for their private lair.
“Follow quickly.”