Epilogue
“Hey! We agreed no powers!” Rafe’s voice echoed off the walls and high ceiling of the foyer. It was followed by the furtive shuffle of feet and an evil laugh from possibly Fox. That last cackle was definitely from Ethan.
Aiden could only shake his head as he picked up his glass from the floor, sipped the warm blood, and set it down again. He snuggled back against Ronan, who was somehow lightly dozing through all the noise.
It was Christmas morning. Well, three a.m. on Christmas morning.
The family room glowed with candlelight and twinkle lights on the giant tree in the corner of the room.
At Ethan’s request, the family had gathered together on Christmas Eve for dinner before exchanging gifts.
Not that anyone needed anything. The presents were largely tongue-in-cheek jokes.
Marcus and Ethan had gotten a child’s chemistry set for Bel.
Rafe had presented the wolves with squeaky chew toys.
His darling children had gotten him a candy crown and a lube-dispensing scepter.
But apparently, Ronan’s gifts to all of them were proving to be the best.
Closing his eyes, Aiden let his mind drift as he listened to the steady rhythm of Ronan’s heart under his ear. His mate had stretched out on the comfortable couch and pulled Aiden on top of him with a soft throw blanket tossed over their legs.
Never in his life had he imagined that he’d be right where he was.
A thousand years ago as a human, he’d been prepared to watch the man he loved marry another, father children, and fight to protect his small kingdom.
Their life would have been nothing more than stolen glances and maybe a warm hand on his shoulder in the darkest of moments.
As a vampire, it had taken him centuries to crawl out of the blood and violence to bask so briefly in the light of Julianna. Their time had been so very short, but he was forever grateful for the gift of four amazing sons.
“I swear to God, I’m going to stake you in the sun if you disappear one more time, Winter!” Marcus snarled.
“What the hell! I’m your mate, man!” Fox joined in.
The soft shaking of Ronan’s chest and muffled rumble of laughter proved Ronan was still very much awake and listening to the chaos that he’d created.
Aiden lifted his head and shifted so that he could look down on Ronan. “Water guns. You had to get them water guns.”
Ronan cracked one eye open, his lips twitching as if he were fighting to hold in his grin. “They seem to be enjoying them.”
Yes, nine grown men were currently racing around all three floors of the house, squirting each other with ice water on Christmas morning.
What had started as a simple game was quickly devolving as they began using their vampiric gifts against each other.
God help them all if their resident witch decided to cast spells in the house.
But they did sound happy, aside from the shouting and slightly maniacal laughter.
This was also something his sons had not had much of.
Their childhood had ended far too quickly because of Julianna’s illness.
He also knew they’d not had much hope of finding mates.
Their lives had been dedicated to the protection and secrecy of their family. How could they dare to trust outsiders?
Lady Fate had shined her benevolence on them at last. They not only found mates but strengthened their family. He didn’t know what hard trials she had planned for them in the future, but Aiden was sure they were ready to handle whatever was waiting for them.
Leaning down, Aiden brushed a kiss across Ronan’s lips before putting his head on his lover’s chest. Ronan sighed happily and threaded his fingers through Aiden’s hair in a lazy caress.
“No using fire to stop the water!” Bel cried.
Both Aiden and Ronan sat up at the same time and shouted in unison, “Outside!”
Of all the gifts Ethan could have received as a vampire, he would have the power to conjure fire. Just the idea gave him nightmares. Aiden glared over at Ronan as if he were the culprit behind the gift selection.
“Tonight. I’ll resume working with him later tonight after he and Marcus hunt,” Ronan said, pulling Aiden onto his chest as he stretched out against the throw pillow again. “It’s good that he’s using his power. We don’t want him afraid of it, or he’ll never control it.”
Aiden grudgingly had to admit Ronan was right on that count. Ethan had to be comfortable with his gift if he was ever to learn control. But he’d prefer it if he didn’t practice until the new fire extinguishers arrived. And he’d definitely prefer if Ethan didn’t practice in the house.
It was also reassuring that Ronan had taken Ethan under his wing.
While Marcus had been proud of his fledgling mate, he’d also been terrified of his gift.
His son not only worried about Ethan’s safety, but also his tender heart if something should accidentally go wrong while wielding his new power.
From the first appearance of Ethan’s ability, Ronan had not shied away for a second.
He was there every moment, instructing Ethan on breathing techniques and focus.
His mate was a wonderful, patient teacher, who had not only helped Ethan feel more comfortable with his gift but also helped him move past his misplaced guilt with regard to Julianna.
Placing his hand in the center of Ronan’s chest, Aiden propped his chin on it as he looked at Ronan. “Ronan, how did you know?”
Ronan blinked his eyes open again and smirked. “What, my king? That I would fit so perfectly in this madhouse of yours?”
Aiden barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes.
That was not what he was asking. “How did you know that I was still the man you loved? From the first, you never seemed to hesitate. It’s like you knew.
But a thousand years separated us. We both lived through and did horrible things.
We’ve both watched people we knew changed into monsters. How did you know?”
There was a surprising softness that crept into Ronan’s expression as he stared at Aiden. One hand touched his cheek and then brushed the hair back from his brow. There was such love in his gaze that it stole Aiden’s breath away so completely.
“You smiled,” Ronan said simply.
“What?” Aiden breathed. It couldn’t be something so small.
“I was watching you so closely when you walked into the party, surrounded by your sons. Beautiful. Regal. So perfectly poised, as if you had been born for that moment,” Ronan explained, his voice low and warm.
“You stopped and smiled at each of your sons, touched their faces or shoulders in some small way to connect yourself with them. Even from across the room, I could see your absolute love and devotion to them. In that moment, I knew you weren’t some vampire wearing Aiden’s face, but you were my Aiden.
The man I’d loved my entire existence. I just prayed that I could still be the Ronan that you loved so long ago. ”
“You are, my prince. You are.” Aiden kissed him sweetly before laying his head down and sighing softly.
Aiden had nearly drifted off to sleep when he felt more than heard the presence of someone new in the room. He reluctantly opened his eyes to find Rafe standing across the room with his phone held up in their direction.
“What are you doing, my child?” Aiden asked, his tone full of warning. “Did you just take our picture?”
Rafe flashed him a slightly wicked grin as he lowered his phone and continued to type something. Of course, Rafe was always full of devilment, so Aiden wasn’t in the least surprised.
“My brothers and I have started something of a sleep advisory service on Instagram,” Rafe murmured.
“A what?” Ronan inquired.
To his surprise, Rafe crossed the room and kneeled next to the sofa, closest to where Aiden was, and turned his phone so they could see the screen.
He slowly flipped through a series of pictures of each of his brothers cuddled in bed with their mate—or in Bel’s case, mates.
Aiden’s heart swelled to see expressions of love, peace, and pure joy on the faces of his beloved sons.
But the last one surprised him the most. It was of him and Ronan together, arms wrapped around each other. Even as they were both nearly asleep, there were smiles on their lips, looks of pure contentment and peace.
“Beautiful,” Ronan murmured.
“It seems you both discovered the same truth that we did,” Rafe said. His son looked up at Ronan and smirked. “Find a good mate, and happiness will follow.”
“Thank you, Rafe.”
Rafe pressed a kiss to Aiden’s cheek. “Thank you, Father.”
“Now go find your mate. I’m sure he’s missing you.”
Rafe’s bright-blue eyes flared, and his grin turned wicked again. “Always.” He stood and started to cross the room when Aiden called out to him again.
“And stay out of trouble. Let’s wait until the new year to create new mischief.”
“Really, Father.” Rafe snickered. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Aiden groaned but it was lost to Ronan’s chuckle.
“I love being a Varik,” Ronan said, making Aiden smile again.
Yes. It was very good to be a Varik.