Epilogue
S ometimes, Honey couldn’t believe how much her life had changed in just a few short seasons.
A year ago today, she’d been packing her suitcase in her shabby rented apartment, not daring to hope for more than a few months’ respite from her lonely life. And now here she was, sitting in the swing chair on the porch of her own cozy cabin, watching the sun rise over the mountains.
It still would have been magical, even without the unicorns.
“Buck,” she called. “Visitors.”
His disgruntled growl drifted through the open front door. “If it’s the kids, tell them they’ve got all summer to burst in at inopportune moments. I’m not having them starting early.”
“It’s not the camp kids,” Honey said, surveying the hopeful herd gathered on their front lawn. “I think you’d better get out here.”
Buck emerged, hair still damp from the shower, tugging his t-shirt down over his abs. He scowled as he saw the young unicorns, but Honey could feel his secret affection down the mate bond.
“What are you lot doing here?” He swept the small group with a glare. “If you’ve come to beg for more Froot Loops, we’re all out. Pretty sure motherloving magical creatures aren’t supposed to guzzle down artificial flavors by the bucket, anyway.”
One of the oldest unicorns—a long-legged, coltish teen with deep amethyst eyes—disappeared in a flash of light. She reappeared on the porch next to Buck. Her horn prodded him in the chest, tapping the Camp Thunderbird logo on his t-shirt.
“Oh, no.” Buck pushed the unicorn’s horn away, shaking his head. “We’ve been over this, Flash. You know your herd elders don’t approve.”
The young unicorn’s lower lip stuck out in a mulish pout. She poked Buck again, harder.
“You want me to lose my job?” Buck folded his arms, covering the camp logo. “It’s not my decision. You lot want to come to camp, take it up with Alder-in-Winter. He’s the one you’ve got to convince, not me. Now go on, get out of here before he notices you’re gone.”
“Sorry, kids,” Honey called as the unicorns trailed disconsolately away, tails drooping. She sighed. “I wish they could come to camp.”
“You’ve already changed the rules to allow humans, woman. Let that one settle in before you start demanding Zeph builds a stable block.”
“It wouldn’t be too hard to alter the cabins to accommodate them, if Alder would let the youngsters leave herd territory.”
“True enough, but it would take a motherloving miracle to change that overgrown ass’s mind. The way he talks, you’d think all humans were twelve feet tall and jonesing for fresh-grilled unicorn steaks.” Buck locked the front door, pocketing the keys. “You ready to go?”
She nodded, getting to her feet. “It feels strange not to need to pack anything. I have to admit, I’m a little sad we won’t be living full time at the camp this summer. I’m going to miss sharing a cabin with the girls.”
Buck’s hand slipped around her waist, dipping under her t-shirt. “I’m not going to miss sneaking around at night, trying to steal a moment of privacy.”
Honey caught her breath as his fingertips brushed sparks across her skin. “I suppose being senior staff has some advantages.”
“I’ll keep reminding you of that.” With a final lingering caress, Buck released her. “And much as I’d like to show you right now, we should get going. Leonie will skin us if we’re late to the staff welcome meeting.”
He stepped away, shifting into the powerful gray form of the stormwolf. Honey reached for her own animal; that constant warm, glowing presence in her soul, as bright as summer sunlight. By now, it was second nature to let that wild, secret part of herself come out.
She shook out her fur, then trotted over to Buck. He nuzzled her muzzle in a wolfish kiss before spreading his wings. With a leap, he took off, lightning crackling between his feathers.
She followed him into the sky, delighting in the smooth strength of her own glowing, golden wings. Flying was one of her favorite things about her new body. She played in the air, catching the eddying wind currents to dance around Buck.
He huffed, refusing to chase her. Honey darted in to nip at his tail, spiraling away before he could retaliate.
He growled at her, showing his teeth. *Stop that.*
She taunted him with her own tail, staying just out of reach. *Make me.*
*Damn it, woman.* He kept flying in a steady line, his powerful wingbeats carrying him through the air. *I have a reputation to maintain. You can’t expect me to frolic over the camp for everyone to see.*
Honey wrinkled her nose at him, but abandoned her teasing. Wingtip to wingtip, they headed for the camp.
The camp, mostly deserted in previous months, was now packed with bustling staff. As they swooped over the car park, Honey glimpsed a few new counselors goggling up at them, nudging each other and pointing. Most counselors just waved in greeting, recognizing them from last year.
“Shield-siblings!” boomed a familiar voice as they touched down in the central square. Before Honey could even shift back to human form, she found herself swept up in brawny arms. “My heart rejoices to be reunited with such mighty warriors once more!”
Honey shifted to return the hug. “Ragvald! It’s so good to see you again!”
Buck let out a long, dangerous growl, lips wrinkling back from his fangs.
“Oh hush, you,” she told him, not letting go of Ragvald. “There’s no point going all possessive-alpha-male to try to preserve your image. We can all see your soft, floofy belly.”
Buck shifted, scowling. “For the last time, woman, my belly is not floofy.”
“What are you doing here, Ragvald?” With a final affection squeeze, Honey broke free from the wyrm shifter’s embrace. “I thought you were returning to your homeland.”
“Ah.” The big man’s beaming smile faltered a fraction.
“Such was my intent, but it seems my wyrd does not yet lead me back to the rocky shores of Ormholm. I overwintered with the sea dragons in their underwater city, and Princess Moira has granted me the honor of accompanying her overland once more.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re back,” Honey said. “I know the kids will be thrilled, too.”
“I am also eager to see how they have grown.” Ragvald brightened, his usual good cheer returning. “Friend Buck! I see that you have not yet managed to—how did you put it, in your strange outlander words?—fuck things up.”
Honey raised an eyebrow at Buck. “You taught Ragvald swearwords?”
He looked slightly pained. “Apparently inadvertently. And for future reference, Ragvald, don’t say that around the kids.”
“Ah, I shall attempt to remember,” Ragvald said. He looked between them. “But all is well? Your mate bond burns bright?”
“Oh yes.” Honey grinned at her mate. “I’ve got no complaints.”
Buck put his arm around her waist. “Glad to hear it.”
“Then we must celebrate this reunion as a warband should!” Ragvald paused, brow furrowing. “Of course, the first thing I did when I returned to this steading was to check the sauna. Strangely, it was in great disrepair, as though some great wrath had smote it from above.”
“Really.” Buck was utterly poker-faced. “What a shame.”
“But do not fear!” Ragvald flung open his arms, beaming broadly. “I have already repaired it!”
“Oh,” Buck said flatly. “Yay.”
“That’s great, Ragvald.” Honey gave Buck a pointed look. “And what a good thing it’s no longer thunderstorm season. I’m sure the sauna will be perfectly operational all summer long.”
“Honey! Buck!”
Honey turned at the excited shout. Estelle, Finley, and Rufus charged across the square, dodging round startled counselors. Beth followed at a rather more dignified pace, issuing a stream of apologies on behalf of her friends.
“You’re here!” Estelle said, giving Honey a hug nearly as rib-cracking as Ragvald’s. “You’re finally here!”
“Don’t know why you’re so excited,” Buck said, dodging her attempt to hug him too. “Anyone would think you hadn’t seen us for months.”
“Yeah, but that’s different,” Estelle said. “It’s not like being at camp. We’re going to have so much fun! And I’m definitely going to shift this summer. I just know it.”
Finley tugged at Honey’s arm. “Guess who else is here early this year?”
Before Honey could guess, something brown and furry streaked toward her. With a diving tackle, Buck intercepted the bear before it could tackle her. He hit the ground, rolled, and came up with an armful of grinning, half-naked Archie.
“Yeah,” Estelle said gloomily. “Guess.”
“Archie!” Beth hurried up, out-of-breath, a ripped camp t-shirt in her hand. “I’ve told you before, you can’t just shift anytime you feel like it!”
“Yeah, but that’s dumb,” Archie said, squirming as she forced the t-shirt over his head. “This is shifter camp. Hi Buck! Hi Honey! Guess what, I’m back after all!”
“So I see,” Honey said, smiling. “That’s wonderful, Archie. So Zephyr worked something out with your mom?”
Archie screwed up his nose. “Not exactly. But at least I can come to camp. Even if—”
Rufus stamped a foot, cutting the bear shifter off. He pointed, golden eyes fixed on something across the square.
“What do you mean?” Finley said, turning. “Hey, Beth, who’s that with your uncle Conleth?”
“I don’t know,” Beth replied, frowning. “I’ve never seen her before.”
Honey glanced that way herself—and caught her breath.
Over by the office, Conleth was talking to a woman wearing a staff t-shirt. She had her back to them, so Honey couldn’t make out her face.
But she could see Conleth. The pegasus shifter appeared at ease; oh-so-casually leaning against the porch rail, suit jacket undone. His tie was a little loose, collar open to show the strong line of his throat.
And he was—Honey had no other word to describe it— smoldering.
Honey had seen him turn on the charm before, but never like this. Even as she watched, he leaned closer to the woman, mouth curving in a smile that could have tempted an angel to sin. This was Conleth at his smoothest, giving the performance of his life.
“Well, well, well,” Buck murmured at her side. “I’ll be damned.”
Estelle squinted at the pair. “Is that—his mate?”
“Stop staring!” Beth squeaked. She lunged in front of the other kids, spreading her arms in a futile attempt to block the oblivious couple from their sight. “Give them privacy!”
“HEY!” Archie yelled. Before Honey could stop him, he pushed past Beth, charging straight for Conleth. “What do you think you’re doing? That’s my sister! ”