Epilogue #2
Chaol softened, looking pleased but nonplussed. “We still have a long way to go before we’re safe, you know.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No. What matters is that we’re together. Now, through the worst of it, and on the other side.”
Chaol smiled. “If I have anything to say about it, we will be.”
“Good. Come on, then. Time to get moving.”
They separated, cleaned each other in the bathroom, and dressed.
While Chaol dithered in the bathroom—he had a strange affinity for bathroom stuff, swearing that deodorant and hair products hadn’t been this good in the seventies when he left—Daniel grabbed the ring box and shoved it in his pocket.
Luckily it wasn’t a big box, so the bulge wasn’t too obvious.
When they got upstairs to Nicolas and and Ashmedai’s apartment, most everyone was already there. A spread of pastries sat on the sprawling kitchen island, and Nicolas was pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Shouldn’t have to host breakfast,” Ashmedai rasped as he watched everyone eat. “Don’t eat food.”
“It’s the nice thing to do, Ash,” Nicolas said, joining him and leaning into his side. “Everyone else takes a turn. And I eat food, so it’s not like it’s totally wasted. Morning, brother.”
“Morning, Nic,” Daniel said.
“You seen Julian and Valac yet?” Nicolas asked.
“No. Probably still fucking downstairs.” Daniel rolled his eyes and shook his head, fighting a smile. “They’re so goddamn loud, I swear.”
Nicolas laughed. “It’s not that bad for us. Must be different if you live under them.”
“Probably. Sound carries through the floor easier, I think.”
Nicolas froze, paling. “Oh God, what if that means they hear us?”
A loud laugh rattled out of Ashmedai. “Serves them right.”
Nicolas shook his head, mouth twitching, and Chaol leaned in, nosing Daniel’s ear.
“Coffee?” he asked.
Daniel nodded. “Please.” His eyes scanned the room idly as Chaol moved away. “No Draego today?”
Nicolas shook his head. “He hasn’t said much to you about who he’s after, has he?”
“From the guild? No.”
Nicolas sighed. “I’m taking a page from Ira’s book and having faith that it’ll all work out how it’s supposed to.”
“I think that’s wise,” Daniel said. “And I feel the same way. I’m choosing to focus on what happens after the war is over, not the war itself.”
“We have to fight for something, don’t we?” Nicolas agreed. “And that’s exactly what I want. For us all to be safe and together, with eternity ahead of us.”
The door behind him opened, and Julian and Valac strode in. Julian’s pale hair was askew, and he wore a dopey smile on his face.
“Good morning, everyone! Ooh, doughnuts,” Julian said. Valac’s purple gaze followed him across the room.
“You’re both very loud,” Daniel declared.
Valac’s easy smile didn’t change. “Doesn’t sound like my problem.”
“You two are not so quiet yourselves,” Julian added, picking out a chocolate-glazed doughnut and taking a generous bite. “We heard you.”
“There are drawbacks to sharing a building, it’s true,” Nicolas said. “I’m honestly glad we have Julian and Valac between us and you guys,” he told Daniel, scrunching his nose. “I don’t want to hear what my brother sounds like when he’s doing that.”
Daniel laughed. “I said the same thing.”
“He sounds beautiful,” Chaol said, handing Daniel a mug. “Gorgeous. Wish I could bottle that sound and keep it with me forever.”
Daniel snorted. “Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing.” Chaol draped an arm around his shoulders. “I mean it. I can’t get enough of it.”
Daniel smiled softly, handing his cup to Nicolas, who took it with a confused look. “Forever?”
“Mm-hm,” Chaol agreed.
“Good. Because, do you remember what we talked about in Italy? How we were married now and I intended to put a ring on it at the first available opportunity?”
The room had gone quiet. Daniel didn’t know how many of them knew, but he’d asked Talon for recommendations about where to get the ring. There was a chance Talon had told them all about it. As far as Daniel knew, none of them had given their rings to their partners in front of anyone else.
“Yeees,” Chaol said slowly. “Why—what are you doing?”
Daniel withdrew the box and opened it up. Ashmedai quickly reached over and plucked Chaol’s mug from his hands, setting it on the island with a quiet clink. Chaol stared at the black ring embedded in the red velvet.
“Holy fuck,” Chaol breathed.
“Make it official with me,” Daniel said. “Semi-official, at least. I don’t think we can go and sign paperwork at the courthouse. But I’d like you to wear this as a symbol of—”
Chaol cut him off with a kiss, Daniel’s hand and the ring trapped between their chests. A handful of chuckles filled the air, and someone said, “Aww.”
“You drive me fucking crazy,” Chaol said when they parted. “Yes, I’ll wear your stupid ring.”
Daniel grinned. “You’re so romantic.”
“Shut up and put it on me.”
“Yes, baby.”
It was black tungsten, with a row of diamonds on the top and bottom between a very small switchblade. Chaol found it at once, pushing the little button and watching the blade pop up.
“That’s very cool,” he murmured, pushing the blade down and meeting Daniel’s eyes.
Softening, he shook his head, rolled his eyes heavenward, and pulled Daniel into an embrace, pressing their foreheads together.
“You know I love you, right? I don’t have a ring or anything, but I walked through Hell for you. Fought an angel for you.”
“I do know,” Daniel said. “And I’m so glad. I couldn’t have done any of it without you.”
Their fight might not be over, but as long as they had each other, Daniel knew they could handle anything.