Epilogue
T he morning’s warmth kissed my cheeks, and a grin spread across my face as the cries of gulls echoed in the salty breeze. I rolled to my side, letting the sun bathe my bare back, and burrowed into sheets that still carried Sainte’s earthy, familiar scent.
My husband.
The queen’s consort.
The hand of Nothar.
My Valahant.
Mine.
My smile widened at the sound of children’s joyous shrieks. I sat up, stretching leisurely, savoring this rare moment away from Wynterborne and its endless demands.
I threw off the blankets, swung my feet to the already warm floor, and stood. With my thin robe pulled over my body, I pushed my long black hair back and braided it loosely as I moved toward the balcony. A breeze lifted the curtains, carrying the ocean’s scent and the chirps of great fish surfing the waves.
As I stepped into the daylight, joining the man who leaned against the sturdy wooden rail, his strong arm pulled me against his bare chest. I nestled close, tucking my head into the crook of his neck, watching Ethyan chase two small children down the beach.
I snickered when he tripped, face-planting into the sand before rolling onto his back with a loud wail. The boy, in well-made, play-torn clothes, and the girl, in a worn, battered dress, immediately turned, sprinting toward Ethyan’s prone form .
They pounced, and he shouted as they landed, tickling them until their laughter echoed along the breeze. The girl bit his arm, and he yelped, shoving her off. Seizing the opportunity, the boy kicked at his unprotected nether regions.
“Kalen!” Sainte’s voice thundered across the beach, silencing the gulls.
The boy’s head snapped up, hand to his brow, shading his peridot eyes as he knelt in the sun-warmed sand.
I bumped my shoulder against him. “Serves him right,” I muttered.
“There are unspoken rules to any fight.”
“A code of honor?” I teased, trailing my fingers against his skin, pulling him to face me. With a raised brow, I tugged at his trousers, a playful smirk turning my lip. “No fighting dirty?”
“He has too much of his mother in him.”
I batted my lashes, feigning innocence. “There’s as much of me in him as you.”
I laughed, glancing back at the children. Sainte’s lips brushed my ear as Kalen flashed an innocent smile. Spared from a lecture, he offered his hand to the little girl sprawled on the ground. She giggled as he helped her to her feet. Her bright grin turned toward me, her blonde wind-swept curls a halo around her head.
“Auntie El is up!” she shrieked. “Kalen! Your mom is awake!”
Her green eyes, those of mine and my brother’s, glimmered with pure joy.
She took off with the boy close on her heels, kicking up sand with every stride. Ethyan propped himself on his elbows, peering our way with a grateful smirk.
Lyana sat near the turquoise waves, the shade of palms shielding her from the morning’s heat. She watched the children run, then looked our way with a small wave. I flashed her a bright grin in answer.
Yes, this marked the start of many new stories.