EPILOGUE

The azure-tinted grass swayed gently in the breeze, its mesmerizing blue-green hue unlike anything I had ever seen before. Yet, even this breathtaking sight paled in comparison to the melodic laughter of Thexan and Angelia as they tumbled and played, their tiny voices carried by the wind. The birthing pod had brought them into this world healthy and strong, with Lorvian by my side. I"ll spare you the gruesome specifics, let"s just say that I wasn"t keen on repeating the experience anytime soon.

Our secluded estate, surrounded by sprawling lands and lush forests, was a tranquil retreat from the bustling city life. Eros was thriving again, the Las Vegas of this world. I sure as hell didn"t want my kids growing up there even if I was happy at what Lorvian achieved. The construction on our estate was nearly complete, with only the south wing needing to be remodeled. In this serene setting, Lorvian shared with me countless stories of his upbringing on Ashan, living under the care of his Damma. Some tales were joyful, others tinged with sorrow and loneliness.

Lorvian had been right about Eros being the fresh start we all needed. The hybrids had settled in comfortably, some even finding partners among Lorvian"s former crew members. Life was beginning to take on a new rhythm, one of peace and growth and I liked that a lot.

Word had reached us of Dr. Zai"s alpha test for the cure to the long sleep. I had envisioned a sudden awakening of billions of Valisians, accompanied by a touch of chaos. Instead, the news trickled in quietly, with only occasional announcements of notable Valisian figures emerging from their slumber.

Meanwhile, Earth had finally come around to engaging in diplomatic discussions with the Valisians. The peace between our worlds was rocky as hell but enduring. Thank goodness.

Cormac, ever the adventurer, had acquired a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg that put human technology to shame. He now commanded his own vessel, a dream that Lorvian ultimately helped him realize. He christened his ship "Deathstalker" or some equally audacious name. While Earth remained closed to supply runs, rumors circulated of Cormac"s thriving trade route between Eros, various trade posts, and a handful of colonies, both human and alien.

Connor, too, had risen through the ranks, now working with Dr. Zai and Dr. Phesus on a scientific and research exploratory ship under Lorvian"s command. Actually, it was Lorvian"s old capital ship converted though still armed to hell and back. This development had initially sparked a private disagreement between Lorvian and his older brother Xil, centered around Connor being an AI. In the end, they reached a truce, agreeing to maintain the peace until the machines posed a tangible threat.

And then there was Tavi, a force to be reckoned with. Some years ago, she had eliminated her brother Daruuk, and since then, whispers of assassinated ruling council members would occasionally reach our ears. The Travols grappled with the repercussions of Valisian interference in their government, sparking heated debates about whether the intervention had been beneficial. One point of consensus among them was the resolute rejection of any royal family member assuming control. I couldn"t help but wonder if Tavi had any allies left in her corner.

Regis, the brother consumed by jealousy and madness, had been placed into a forced slumber and secured within the depths of the family vault. Perhaps this was the most merciful fate in the grand scheme of things.

Back on the human colony, Derek and Fran had wed and continued to oversee the thriving colony, now full of human kids. The colony had blossomed into a vibrant small town, thanks in no small part to the tireless efforts of the AI inhabitants and the enduring power of Erevan"s old ship.

In a remarkable display of solidarity, some humans had even volunteered to transform, lending their aid to the Valisians in their quest to replenish their numbers. Of course, this was the deal Xil had reached with the colony in exchange for his continued protection.

Exhausted from a day spent chasing after our energetic little ones, I lay in bed, savoring a moment of respite. Lorvian slid in beside me, his lips grazing the mark he had left on my skin. "My father has chosen to enter the long sleep alongside my Damma," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of emotions. "Their vaults have been hidden away, their locations unknown even to me. In his stead, he has named Xil as his heir."

The weight of this revelation hung heavy. "What does this mean for us?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Lorvian pulled me closer, his arms encircling me in a reassuring embrace. "For us, my love, it changes nothing," he said, his tone unwavering. "Xil"s heart belongs to his people, and his strengths lie in diplomacy. None of our siblings have contested his claim, and Erevan seems quite content with his life on Earth."

Good, and I allowed myself to melt into his touch. "I"m glad," I confessed, a smile playing on my lips. "I prefer the comfort of our home to the grand whatever of a palace."

"As do I," Lorvian agreed. "And with Xil"s lack of interest in the hegemony, perhaps we will bear witness to positive changes on the horizon."

He leaned in, capturing my lips in a tender kiss. I responded in kind, my arms finding their way around his sculpted waist. As we parted, I felt a rush of excitement, a secret I could no longer contain.

"I have some wonderful news to share," I whispered, my eyes locked with his.

"Oh?" Lorvian raised an eyebrow, curiosity etched upon his handsome features.

"I"m pregnant again," I revealed, my voice trembling with anticipation.

A knowing smile spread across Lorvian"s face, his dark eyes sparkling. "I know," he said softly, his hand resting on my still-flat stomach. "And I couldn"t be more thrilled to embark on this journey with you once more."

"Says the guy who went through no pain popping out those kids." I chuckled.

He kissed my hand. "I"ll tell them to up your meds next time."

Who was I kidding? I was still happy as hell to have his kid again.

I knew that whatever life threw our way, we"d tackle it head-on, side by side. Our love was like a super glue, keeping us stuck together through thick and thin. The future? It was ours to create, a giant blank page waiting for us to fill it with all the crazy colors of our dreams and the unshakable love that got us here in the first place.

I couldn"t help but crack a smile whenever I thought of everything we"d been through. All the blood, sweat, and tears we"d poured into getting to this point? Totally worth it. We"d fought hard for this slice of happiness, and now, it was ours to keep.

In that moment, with the love of my life and my kids by my side, I let myself get swept up in absolute bliss. Maybe being with Lorvian was what I was born to do? And if I wasn"t, who cares? Peace, joy, and a love that just wouldn"t quit - that"s what our little family was all about. And you know what? I couldn"t have been happier.