Epilogue

A week later… somewhere luxurious and private

Dixon had never considered a plane could be used as a taxi service before, but that's what it felt like when they finally left England, after a brief stop in London to drop off Langley, and then another briefer stop in Cornwall to pick up Gordon and Monica. Monica, of course, had heard all the gossip about what had happened at the Council buildings and had dragged Benedict to the back of the plane for all the juicy details, leaving Gordon and Dixon to catch up. After a couple of hours, Monica and Benedict rejoined the others, including Terrence, who was on his way to being fast friends with Gordon, too.

They only took one day and night in San Francisco before the plane took off again. One day was more than long enough for Benedict to check over his house, and for Dixon to catch up with how his managers were doing in the office. He was hugely proud they'd already gained a new client, and he promised the brothers he would not be interfering with the way they were running his company.

Dixon also had a chance to chat to Patricia, his PA, making sure she was happy with the changes that had happened. She was sporting a new engagement ring and what seemed like a permanent blush, so clearly her new relationship was going well.

When Dixon let Patricia know that he was putting his house on the market and moving in with Benedict, he wasn't surprised to get a very fair offer from the brothers that very afternoon. Gordon and Monica promised they'd take care of removing all of his personal effects from the house and taking them to Benedict's while he and his mate were away. Monica's household items were arriving by ship and that was going to take a week or so, which meant they had time to do that before her goods arrived to be assimilated into Gordon's house.

In other words, all the boxes were ticked. Nothing else required their attention. Packing shorts and t-shirts, with only one pair of long pants for the trip was a five-minute job, and then they were back on the plane flying off for parts unknown – well, only known to Benedict and Dixon.

The luxury resort Dixon found was perfect for them. They shared a well-appointed standalone unit that was only ten feet from the white sandy beach, with the other three sides surrounded by lush bushes offering them absolute privacy. Prepared meals were delivered discreetly three times a day and the cupboards were stocked with snack foods and a full bar.

Best of all, Dixon and Benedict made a promise to each other to leave their phones, charged but turned off and in their suitcases from the moment they arrived, and that one little promise made the world of difference. There was nothing to do except read, swim, walk through the lush surroundings, and laze out in the sun… or the bed, depending on the mood.

"Are you tired of this yet?" Benedict asked one afternoon a week into their stay. He was sprawled naked across their bed, his lightly tanned skin taking a golden sheen where the sun from the windows hit it, a lazy satisfied smile on his handsome face.

"I can't remember the last time I've spent time like this. Blissful days of waking up without anyone demanding anything from me." Dixon rolled on his side, his fingers trailing up and down Benedict's torso even though the scents from their last love-making session still lingered in the air.

"Are you saying I'm not demanding enough, perhaps?" The teasing lilt to his words and the bright sparkle in Benedict's eyes were a joy to see.

"I think we're perfectly suited to each other when it comes to the demanding department." Dixon went from trailing fingers to flattening his palm on Benedict's skin. "But to answer your question, no, I couldn't tire of this. Not for a good long while. You were right. We needed this and I'm loving every minute."

"Me, too." Benedict arched like a cat under his touch. "We could eat outside on the sand tonight if you wanted. It looks like it'll be a clear night, and the air is still warm enough."

"You won't get any objections from me." Dixon's hand wandered lower down Benedict's body.

"Would you mind if some guests joined us tonight?"

That stopped the progress of Dixon's hand. "No one knows we're here," he said, frowning at Benedict's smile.

"No one on this side of the veil, no," Benedict said slowly. "But I was thinking maybe we could have a get together with my family and yours from the other side of the veil. If you were ready for it."

His exploration of Benedict's cock would have to wait. Dixon cupped his mate's jawline instead, staring deep into Benedict's eyes. "Are you sure you're ready for this. For me to see them, speak to them… that will be a huge drain on your power. I didn't think there was a cemetery nearby or something for you to get some energies from."

"There's enough. If anything, it would do me good to expend a bit of magic. I've done nothing but eat, sleep, and roll around with you for a week." Benedict's grin widened, showing his teeth. "And don't take that as a complaint because it's not."

"And mentally?" Dixon's first concern was always going to be for his mate. "Are you sure you're ready to see your family again, so soon after what happened?"

"I think it would do us both good to see our departed family members sharing a happy moment. Can you handle seeing and talking to your family – your mom, dad, and Emma?"

A few months ago, Dixon would've scoffed at the suggestion, thinking whoever offered it was completely mad. But so much had happened in just a matter of weeks, and more importantly, Dixon trusted the man who could make it happen.

"Fun stories, just sharing happy memories and family moments designed to embarrass us both?"

"Just like that," Benedict promised, and because he was a magic user, he made it happen.

Later that evening anyone on a random boat sitting out at sea might have looked back at that little bay and wondered what was causing the laughter they might hear.

Back on the beach, soft lamps surrounded a small round table planted on the sand. The figures of two men sat, enjoying their date night. Candles, jazz music and a bottle of wine completed the scene, and a casual observer might smile, thinking how sweet it was two people who clearly cared for each other were able to enjoy such a private moment.

What they couldn't see, or maybe they could but who cared, were the spirits of fourteen people laughing and telling stories as they floated around the mated pair. Tales told about embarrassing scrapes both men had gotten into when they were children, fond memories of happier times shared when they were all on the same side of the veil.

The love was there, flowing from those in body and those in spirit, weaving its spell, slowly healing the hurts from the past. By the time the wine bottle was empty and the last of the spirits had floated away, Benedict collapsed in Dixon's arms, his smile tired but happy.

"Thank you," Dixon said softly, cradling his mate against his chest, brushing a kiss across Benedict's brow. "That was the most amazing evening ever."

"It's not over yet." Benedict wove his arms around Dixon's neck. "Take me to bed, my wonderful bear."

"You're not too tired?" Although Dixon was already on his feet, Benedict still in his arms, heading for their cabin porch.

"I'm sure you'll find a way to revive me, and no peeking you lot," Benedict called out to the stars as Dixon took them inside and closed the door.

"Our families really wouldn't spy on us, would they?" Dixon growled as they both fell on the bed.

"I've set wards so they can't." Because in that moment Benedict wasn't sure – some of his brothers had a ribald sense of humor. But when Dixon kissed him, he also didn't care… and neither did his mate. In fact, by the time they were slowly falling asleep as the sun rose the next morning, what Benedict did know was their future was looking as bright as the sunrise they were sleeping through.

Is this the end?

If you enjoyed the story could you please read the note below…

Shall we end the story here? When I first started Benedict and Dixon, it was going to be a standalone book (ha-ha, I know). And then I thought it might be a trilogy… and then I thought it might be a duology… and the thing is, I am still not sure.

All of the main story threads I wanted tied up I've now covered. All of the bad guys are either dead or in jail, Dixon got as much resolution as he ever could with his situation, and the same could be said for Benedict.

There is one more tiny sticking point back in San Francisco I could cover but I'm not sure if there is enough there for another book, or even if the sticking point should be explored. Part of me wants to write the third book just so we get to see more of Benedict and Dixon living their lives as mates without as much drama. But it probably wouldn't be very exciting for you as a reader, as there genuinely isn't a lot new I could add. A bigger part of me is really happy with this ending, and I think they can just ride off into the sunset without any readers asking, "What about XYZ?"

I'm not sure. I'd love your feedback. My contact details are on the next page, so if you have an opinion please let me know.

In the meantime, thank you. If you've got this far, I hope that means you've enjoyed my story. I still have more stories in other series to write – Hephaestus and Landyn from the Gods series, and Storm and Pax from the Assassin's series are already started as my Patreons know. After those two I will be writing another Arrowtown story, another Arranged Marriage story, and a new Hellhound story… and that's not including what I am writing with JP Sayle. So there is a lot more to come.

I hope wherever you are that you are safe and well, my friends. In troubled times it's not always easy to hang onto the positive side of life. But I hope as you've come to the end of this story that I have left you with a smile.

Please hug the ones you love, my friends – we need them more than ever.

Huge hugs,

Lisa xxx