Epilogue
Killian
My mate was not a fidgeter, she always had perfect poise and calmness, whatever the situation might be.
It was no wonder she’d been such an amazing spy back on Earth.
Today was the exception, and it made me smile.
She was shifting on her feet, and she’d touched her hair a dozen times.
I’d even seen her straighten her sweater.
“Easy now, Tally. We’re just meeting my family, nothing to fear,” I smirked and swung my arm around her small shoulders to hug her to my side.
She sighed and leaned in, surrendering her weight to me with an ease that flourished over the past three weeks while we made the journey to Afir, the Terafin homeworld.
Callum had done his best to pretend we weren’t ducking into the head for privacy whenever we could. He was doing his best now to pretend he wasn’t watching my brave, collected mate unravel the tiniest bit at the prospect of meeting my parents.
We’d landed a few minutes ago, and our airlock was cycling through decontamination protocols after the long trip through space, and after visiting Earth.
It would open soon, and my family was waiting on the other side, eager to meet Daria.
We’d have some strenuous debriefing to go through, but my government was always happy to allow families to reunite.
The airlock hissed, the heavy metal door swung open on silent hinges, and there they were.
My parents, three younger siblings, and my older brother and his mate.
Daria froze in my arms, her breathing stalling as she took them in.
I knew what she feared because I knew what a piece of crap her father had been: rejection. She didn’t need to worry.
With an excited squeal, my mother threw herself through the doorway and then yanked my small, darling Daria in her arms with a sob.
“Ah, beautiful daughter! How happy I am to see you!” The rest of my family followed suit, taking turns hugging Daria, and showering her with warm greetings.
Normally, that was my reception, but I was completely sidelined this time, and I didn’t care one bit.
My heart felt like it could burst with happiness.
Then Daria raised her soft brown eyes to mine, glittering with tears, but she wore the brightest, biggest smile I’d ever seen. We were home.
THE END