Epilogue

5 weeks later

With a quiet hum, Linh held her Duskwalker's hand as they walked through Duneside, the eastern village.

They had been rather wary of letting him inside, even with the letter from her father she'd brought. Those who accompanied their travels vouched for him as well, but it was what Linh offered that truly made them open their gates.

Protection.

In exchange for food and special medicinal herbs they grew and coveted the seeds of, Nathair was willing to offer protection. Even though he could heal with magic, Linh had advocated against the use of it for her villagers when her father asked.

Her father was coming up with all sorts of ways to exploit her partner, and when Nathair healed Kai's wounds, the man started using his mind. Which, honestly, was a bad idea. Her father's schemes often got him into trouble, even if he had the best intentions.

She'd explained that it meant Nathair would be forced to bear everyone's wounds, and her father grew ashamed and apologised. He hadn't known.

But Nathair was willing to be a protector if it aided her people. He's just doing it because he knows it keeps me happy.

He shouldn't need to come to Duneside often, considering they were just as fortified as Ashpen Village. Her people were also offering them their chains, since they didn't need them due to Nathair's orange dome keeping the Demons away.

So long as Duneside wasn't infiltrated by monsters, Nathair wouldn't have to do much. Just come when called if they wished to safely expand, and perhaps watch over them when they farmed the tall seasonal crops that lay outside their protective walls. The open trade and expansion of resources would be beneficial for all, and perhaps they could make a new town between the two and expand the area.

The northern Demonslayer guild protected a safe haven. With Nathair's help, maybe we can make our own.

It was a dream, but one she loved.

Nathair's grip on her hand was tight, as he was uncomfortable with strangers staring at him, but he'd grown accustomed to the stares of humans. They often visited her village, since they kept being invited over, and Nathair allowed it. Actually, he seemed joyous at the thought over the last two weeks, practically patting her on the bum to make her walk faster.

He's so possessive.She placed her free hand on her rounded belly. He's also a big show-off. She had a funny feeling that was why he'd agreed to bring her all the way to this village today: more people to show what he'd done to her.

He was the world's most enthusiastic father-to-be, and he was very delighted to let everyone know he'd been between her thighs. Linh was rather nervous about the whole thing, considering she'd been pregnant for a little over three weeks and she felt like a bloated whale.

Her face had swelled, her feet too, and why did no one warn her about the wretched back pain?! She waddled, waddled, for pity's sake.

Apparently all the rigorous sex they'd had for two weeks leading up to the fertile days of her cycle had allowed him to truly flood her. Twins? For my first pregnancy? Nathair had been able to hear their little heartbeats and informed her of them – and anyone else who would listen to this news.

He often had the side of his skull pressed against her stomach, constantly listening to them as they grew. It was a sweet moment they shared in the privacy of their cave, and she loved seeing his orbs glow bright pink whenever they cuddled like this.

She'd been hoping they might be a mixture of them, but nope... apparently not. Nathair swore they would be featureless little Duskwalkers. I hope they'll be cute. She planned to put them in little dresses and outfits, no matter what they were.

She'd adore them regardless.

Nathair said he didn't want to have more children for a while, and the fact they were twins had her rather thankful. Being a new mother to two creatures she didn't really understand was going to be a hard battle.

He also said he wants to visit his brothers once we're used to them.It'd take at least a month to journey to them, and going beyond the mountains she'd never left, let alone to the Veil, was kind of frightening. As much as she trusted Nathair to keep them all safe, the idea of going to the Veil had her wanting to come up with excuses.

She always fell short when she knew how much it would mean to him.

Not long ago, he'd told her he didn't wish to endanger his brothers and their brides with his crazed presence. With her at his side, he'd expressed that he felt he had the strength to face them – as well as the reassurance of her voice and their bond snuffing his hunger.

He's done so much for me. It's the least I can do.

She'd go anywhere for him, just as he was doing so for her.

Linh nearly tripped when the tiniest pebble unsteadied her. My feet are killing me today. She hid her wince.

If Nathair knew she was in pain, he'd carry her like she was as fragile as glass. She wanted exercise, especially as he wouldn't have sex with her – to her dismay. She felt like she hadn't moved in a week.

"Are you okay?" she asked when they were almost at the gate.

Since they'd come to an agreement with the head of this village, they were leaving. She'd promised Nathair they wouldn't linger.

"I'm fine," he signed with his left hand. "I want to go home. These humans are making the fragments louder."

They were gossiping as they followed the freaky monster in their home. Everyone was nervous, despite the mayor explaining the details already. She couldn't blame them for wanting to come and stare, even if it was rude. She was ashamed to admit she would have done the same thing.

She hated that being around people made the voices harder for him to bear, only because she didn't like how much they bothered him. He always seemed exhausted afterwards.

When they reached the exit, Linh turned to Natasha, the mayor. A crowd formed a semi-circle around them.

"Thank you again for your hospitality," Linh stated, holding her hand out.

The tanned woman with blonde hair and a busty figure gave a deep laugh. She gripped the end of her baton weapon as she leaned forward at the offer of a handshake. The burly woman almost crushed Linh's daintier fingers.

"No problem, daughter of Tahlia. Your mother and I used to be good friends, and if she's chosen to trust this Duskwalker, so will we. We're thankful for your offer, and we look forward to having a stronger union between our villages." Then she swept a few loose strands of hair towards her low ponytail. "Lord knows we need some prosperity after what we've gone through."

Linh gave a small laugh in return, only to cringe when one of her kids kicked her in the damn bladder. I hate it when they do that.

"You can say that again," Linh answered with strain.

Natasha then gave her attention to Nathair. "Thank you again for ridding us of our bandit problem. Once the head was gone, the rest scampered away with their tails between their legs. We look forward to your protection."

"You are welcome," Nathair signed, in which Linh interpreted. "I am willing to do anything for my bride and our younglings."

As if he wished to highlight that, he cupped the side of her rounded belly and pulled her closer into his side.

Linh interpreted again. When she received an awkward cough from Natasha, her cheeks warmed. "Sorry. He's very proud."

"I bet," Natasha stated with a grunt. "You're a very beautiful woman. I bet he feels lucky."

Nathair's answering purr gave away how he felt exactly just that. His purr sputtered, only for a quiet hiss to rattle from him.

Like a bolt of lightning, he disappeared from her side.

A few screams came from the crowd when Nathair lifted a man by the throat and held him above his serpent skull. He gave the man a menacing snarl with his orbs crimson.

Linh's eyes widened when he was so irritated his fins flared to their ends. She had to admit, the back one flaring into over three feet in length was frightful.

"What the fuck?" Natasha yelled, turning to him as she removed her baton.

Linh put her arm out. "Don't," she warned.

She walked to the middle of the parted crowd to be at Nathair's side. She wouldn't ask him to stop, since she'd rather defend his actions as she looked up at the kicking brute.

Her lips pursed as she gave him a glare.

"Nathair is very particular. He doesn't mind people being offensive towards him, but he will not stand it if someone speaks badly of me."

"Brutus, you idiot," Natasha cursed, slamming her baton away. "You said something stupid again, didn't you? Of course the Duskwalker can hear your whispering!"

Now that his warning had been given, Nathair gently placed the man on his feet. He crumbled and looked as though he was moments from wetting himself.

Nathair turned to Linh and, with jarring movements, signed, "I want to leave. Now." He dipped his skull towards Natasha, and Linh noticed how much his fingers shook with controlled rage. "Before I change my mind about assisting these people."

Seeing she now had an infuriated Duskwalker, Linh ushered them out of the village before someone else could get under his scales.

She squealed in surprise when he suddenly picked her up. He darted into the forest, up a hill, and then down it, trying to put as much space between them and Duneside as fast as he could.

When they were far enough away that not even Nathair could hear the villagers, he halted. He balled his tail around them, settled them on top of his folds, and hugged her tightly. Burying his snout into the crook of her neck, he produced a quiet growl, which grew with each twisting nuzzle of his head.

She could tell the big guy was trying to pacify his own anger and was failing miserably.

"It was that bad, huh?" she cooed, petting his skull in hopes of soothing him.

Linh was aware some people called her a freak. Many couldn't swallow that she'd married a Duskwalker, and even less so that she'd physically mated with him. Some people from her village had left, stating they couldn't stand to live near such abhorrent behaviour.

They stated it was wrong, disgusting, and an affront to nature.

It hurt at first, but Nathair was always sweet and affectionate. He eased her heart by holding her like she was the most exquisite thing in the world. He made her feel special, and his love was intense.

It was enough to make her not mind their hatefulness when the love she received outweighed it. Plus, the important people in her life accepted it, and that's all that mattered.

Although Dad did get a bit pale when I told him I was pregnant.He'd been whining about grandkids since the moment she became an adult, and she rubbed that in his face when he'd behaved strangely about it. He admitted he thought part of her trauma meant that she'd chosen a partner she couldn't be physically compatible with, without knowing it was entirely the opposite.

Well, had been the opposite, until recently.

For the past week, Nathair wouldn't have sex with her, and she was starting to get really fucking mad at him over it.

Even if she managed to turn him on by giving him all the kisses and touches she knew he craved, the big Duskwalker wouldn't put his cocks in her. For some reason, being pregnant was making her body crazed for it, and the constant denial was crushing her heart and ego.

Linh was trying to be patient, but she missed being intimate with him.

"What did he say?" Linh asked out of curiosity, since Nathair was being needier than normal.

If he nuzzled her any harder, he'd start grinding her skin off.

"I don't wish to say," he signed, before palming the side of her stomach. He caressed it.

She could almost hear him thinking ‘mine.'

"Just tell me, Nathair," she demanded, grabbing one of his horns so she could tug his head back.

He gave her a bleurgh noise with his maw parted, as he leaned back to stare down at her with reddened orbs. "Why do you want to know?" he signed with pointed movements, as if he couldn't understand her. "It is unpleasant."

Linh shrugged in answer, showing him she didn't really care what a stranger thought. He assessed her reaction, but he knew her better than anyone. Now that she was curious, she was stubborn enough to not let it lie.

He gave an annoyed huff, only to tilt his skull down to watch himself rub her side. Then he used both hands to sign, "He said you were a crazed woman whoring her pussy out for protection."

She stiffened at that. Wow. That's really disgusting. Was the idea of her loving Nathair that unbelievable that people would rather jump to such a horrible assumption?

Pursing her lips, she eyed Nathair's skull warily before her gaze slipped to his reddened orbs. She understood why he was angry, as she wasn't pleased either, but his reaction in Duneside wasn't beneficial.

I want people to see him, and Duskwalkers, the way I do.

Reaching up, she cupped the underside of his bony jaw and brought his head down to her level. She rubbed her cheek back and forth against his, hoping to soothe him.

"I know the things you overhear can be horrible, but you shouldn't worry about them, Nathair. Who cares what strangers think?"

She pulled back so she could drift her palm over his brow bone, down his temple, and brushed her thumb over his cheekbone. Linh gave him a warm and affectionate smile.

"All that matters is I think you're wonderful."

Despite how his body began to soften until she was carrying a small amount of his head weight, he blew an annoyed huff.

He retracted his head to sign, "But I don't like it when they are callous towards you."

"And I don't like that they say horrible things about you, but there's nothing we can do."

Nathair wiggled his head while licking at the inside of his mouth. Just the simple action, and she could read his thoughts. ‘I could kill them.' Or, at least, something of that nature.

Seeing this was a losing battle, Linh sighed. "How are the voices?"

"They are fine," he signed, until she lifted a brow. "They are better now that we are away from the town."

Since obtaining her soul, Nathair hadn't receded into as many intense trances as before. He claimed that now they were bonded, all his senses seemed to focus on hers more. The loss of his hunger allowed her scent to be more soothing and her heartbeat more lulling – rather than both tingling at his gut.

Nathair was also more obsessed with her in almost every way.

She peeked up at her soul, which no longer bore a single palm print on it. It slept on its side with its knees to its chest and its hands clasped together under the cheek it was lying on. It was bright, appeared to be at peace, and she adored seeing the way it rested comfortably between his hooked ram horns.

"How are your feet?" he asked, obviously wanting to get away from the sensitive subject of his mind. He grabbed one of her calves and began kneading the tender muscle.

"A little sore, if I'm being honest." Then she crossed her arms and turned her head away with a false pout. "Doesn't help that someone won't have sex with me to make me feel better."

Nathair chuckled at that.

She knew why. Her womb had dropped to support their growing kids, and it made her smaller inside. Nathair was worried about hurting her and them, and would rather forgo sex.

"I still pleasure you," he argued, licking at his maw.

Her thighs clenched at that, only to immediately soften when he kneaded her other calf.

"Yeah, but licking and fingering me isn't the same and you know it," she grumbled, wishing her cheeks hadn't grown warm in memory of their nightly touches – in which she was the only one receiving.

I don't know how he holds back.

Nathair cupped the back of her head to keep her still, and dragged his tongue across her cheek. When he pulled back, his orbs were purple, and she had to resist the urge to bite her lip and tease him into getting her way.

His gestures were gentle and slow, as if he wanted his words to be taken lovingly. "Knowing that my bride feels adored and cared for makes me happy. You are carrying our younglings, not me, and I see how much it burdens you. I want you to feel appreciated."

Damnit. It was hard to stay mad at him when his feelings were so sweet and noble.

Just as she opened her mouth, he quickly cut her off. "Just know that you will have a very pent-up and horny Mavka. One that will be very excited to have you once more. You better be ready for me, little nightingale."

Linh let out a squeal when he dived for her. Wrapping his entire body around hers, he brought her into a protective hold that blocked out the late-afternoon sun. She giggled when his hand dived underneath her dress to cup the side of her belly, wanting to touch it directly as if he could feel the vibrations within through his palm.

"I think you should be more worried about how I will be! I'm going to punish you for making me wait," Linh stated around giggles. She wrapped her arms around his neck, thankful she was comfortable enough to feel this way about him, about intimacy, and their relationship.

In the darkness, she felt him open and close his maw mockingly, making the bones clack. Her smile grew when he cupped the side of her head and nuzzled her cheek with affection. Then he pulled back and bright-pink orbs shone down at her, making her heart flutter with tenderness.

He didn't even need to sign for her to know what he thought, what he was saying, and she knew he meant it with every part of his being. She adored seeing it glow while in this cuddle that allowed her to feel so secure and safe.

She kissed the side of his maw. "I love you, too, Nathair."

And I love that I'll have someone so attentive for the rest of my life.Someone who made her feel cherished in ways she never imagined, and made sure all her needs were met. Someone who had saved her when she was on the brink of drowning in fear, and made her love the skin she was in simply because it was a vessel for him to cherish her in every way possible.

Someone who was understanding on the days she wasn't okay, and never took it to heart when she lashed out without meaning to.

A Duskwalker who showed her it was okay to love a skull-headed serpent monster with all her heart.