Epilogue
TEN YEARS LATER
“Fire!” Lucy yelled, running after her older brother with her hands thrust out. Tiny purple sparks flew from her hands.
It shouldn’t have been possible since she was only four. But my guys had some powerful abilities, and those gifts were already making themselves known.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Lucy, do not burn your brother’s hair off again.”
A deep chuckle sounded from behind as strong, tattooed arms wrapped around me. “You get him, kitten.”
I glared up at Trace. “You are not helping.”
“I’m gonna shift and bite her face off,” Louis yelled back.
Lucy answered with a war cry and launched herself at her brother.
Declan caught her around the waist, lifting her into the air. “What’s my girl doing?”
She beamed up at him. “Killing Louis.”
She said the words so sweetly it was somewhat creepy.
Colt chuckled, inclining his head toward Trace. “That’s all you, brother.”
Trace sighed. “I’ve truly never been prouder.”
Ronan snorted. “A daughter with a penchant for killing. What more could he ask for?”
“Mom, where’s my sample case?” Micah asked as he wandered into the kitchen, adjusting his glasses.
“It’s in the conservatory,” Dash said as he pulled out a batch of cookies from the oven.
Micah nodded absently just as Louis knocked into him in an attempt to avoid a purple spark Lucy sent his way.
“Watch it,” Micah snapped.
“You watch it,” Louis clipped back, giving him a shove.
“Children…” Colt said, alpha vibes bleeding into his tone.
Baldwin chuckled as he ambled into the kitchen. “How about we do a movie on the big screen, kiddos?”
They all instantly began throwing out titles, surrounding Baldwin.
He shook his head, but a smile was on his lips. “We all get to toss two movie names into a hat, and I’ll pull out a winner.”
“Aw, man,” Louis moaned. “I never win.”
“You have the same chance as we do,” Micah argued. “It’s statistics.”
“Shut up, math nerd,” he shot back.
Baldwin hurried them all out of the kitchen, and I mouthed, thank you. He just waved me off.
I slumped back against Trace, fatigue hitting me hard and fast.
He began massaging my shoulders. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Just tired. They have been on a tear lately.”
Dash chuckled. “What do you expect from little ones with our powers running through them?”
He had a point. And our babies were the best, too. While they might give each other hell, they were fiercely loyal. They had each other’s backs above everything else. And they’d brought our bond to a new level of intimacy I hadn’t expected. Something about it truly making us a family.
Declan moved in and brushed his lips across mine. As he pulled back, he frowned. “You’ve got dark circles.”
“I told you I was tired.”
Dash crossed to us, pressing a hand to my forehead. “You feel a little warm. Are you feeling okay?”
Oh, crap. Those were the magic words.
All the guys were around me in a flash, peppering me with questions. It didn’t matter that they were all leading their own clans now, Declan and Ronan sharing the mantle of the dragons. I would always be their number one concern.
Maybe it was that kind of care and dedication that had brought our people together in a way they never had been united before. Clans truly working together for the first time ever, even the vampires.
Each of my guys talked over each other until I finally let out a whistle.
They all stopped.
“I’m fine,” I told them.
They all frowned at me.
“You’re not,” Dash said. “Your color’s all wrong.”
“Probably because I was throwing up all morning,” I said.
Ronan let out a growl. “I’m calling the doctor. She needs to be checked out.”
A tired grin spread across my face. “I’m not sick. I’m pregnant.”
The guys all stilled.
“What?” Declan breathed.
“Your scent hasn’t changed,” Colt argued.
He’d been the one to scent my first pregnancy when I was only a week late. This time, I’d been one step ahead of him.
I pulled out a small pouch from under my shirt that hung on a silk cord. I’d been studying with Dash for years now, and I was practically as good at spell magic as he was. I pulled off the necklace and tossed it onto the counter.
At once, all the shifters’ nostrils flared.
Dash’s eyes widened as he looked from them to me. “It’s true.”
Ronan’s eyes shone. “She’s giving us more.”
Trace’s tattooed hand came to rest on my belly. “Every time, I think we couldn’t be any happier.”
My eyes burned.
Colt cupped my face. “With Leighton, there’s always more.”
And they gave me the same. Every day. In this life and the next.
Thank you so much for reading Destiny of Ashes! I hope that you loved reading about Leighton and her mates!