Epilogue

Returning the lands that had once belonged to Lore”s kingdom proved more challenging than expected as we traveled this new world. A millennia of changes awaited Lore, and with each new discovery, I watched his facelift in amazement.

”What do they call this?” he asked as he licked the treat, now running rivulets down his hand.

”It”s called ice cream,” I answered, licking my double chocolate cone. There had been very few times in my life that I”d had the delicacy created by the humans of this land a decade past. My first time had been at the castle when my Nan had brought it to me. That one had been chocolate, too. It was my favorite.

I watched as Lore let out a moan, and I felt my cheeks heat as I thought about another time he”d moaned with his tongue. I stood as I wiped my hands with a napkin and steadied myself by grabbing Lore”s arm.

Lore”s eyes went to my body as it traveled up, a heated look crossing features. ”You are so beautiful,” he murmured, taking another languid lick of the ice cream as his tongue licked upward.

”Stop it,” I hissed, looking around.

We”d been busy these months, rebuilding the kingdom and creating a new world for Lore”s people and ours. With me on the throne beside him, I wanted no lines drawn. We weren”t moon territory or sun territory. We were just a kingdom; anyone willing to live in peace was welcome. At least, that was the dream.

Thus far, it had been a challenging journey. Tonight would be my official coronation, and people from all over were journeying to see the king and queen of the forgotten kingdom slowly returned to the eldest of our lands.

”We should have ice cream in the castle every day,” Lore mumbled, his eyes trailing over me lazily. ”But you know what I want more than anything?” he asked with a wide grin.

”What is that?” I asked.

”You.” He stood, discarding the finished ice cream, and pulled me toward him. He pushed the strands of hair away from my face with a gentle tenderness that melted my heart. ”Nothing tastes as sweet as you. ”

I leaned into Lore with a sigh as he claimed my lips with his, kissing me with such tenderness I felt his love to the core of my being. With a chuckle, he pulled away.

”Az says you need to just go to our room with me and never leave,” he purred in my ear. His hot breath fanned across my neck as I arched into him, wanting him to touch me more.

”Well, Az is the smart one.” I nodded. I lost all thought as his hands caressed down my body until I was purring against him, my creature peeking out—my phoenix. She had yet to tell me her name, but I felt her presence increasingly as we got to know one another, sharing the same body.

”I think she agrees.” He nuzzled my neck, and I moaned against him, only to regretfully pull away as I realized we had an audience slowly forming—one that looked to us to lead them. People who had once looked down on me for my heritage now bowed as I passed.

I”d yet to reconcile the two, but I tried every day. I reminded myself to never stoop to their level and be the change I”d wanted to see. Some days were easier than others. With Lore, each day was a new adventure.

”Are you ready to be crowned queen, officially?” Lore asked as he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers.

”I”m ready to stand by your side forever, yes.” I nodded, realizing as my heart expanded that I meant every word. It was as if destiny clicked into place, and finally, I was exactly where I was meant to be.