11. Epilogue

CHAPTER 11

EPILOGUE

LILA

T he light of the cosmos filters through the cockpit’s canopy, glinting off my wedding ring as I gently lay our son in his crib. He murmurs, a soft sigh stirring the stillness. His little hands are in tight fists and my heart swells at how this is the hardest, yet most rewarding job I’ve ever had.

I slip into the cockpit of our new ship, using parts of Garoth’s old ship for sentimental reasons. But with little Jorah, we couldn’t stay in Garoth’s one-man vessel.

This one is ours, a symbol of the life we’ve clawed from the galaxy’s teeth. The stars beyond the viewport twinkle and I’ll never get over seeing them so close.

Garoth is a mountain of muscle, his back a roadmap of battles won and scars earned. But right now, he’s just my orc. A gentle giant with a warrior’s heart.

“He’s finally asleep?” he asks, holding out his arms and I nod.

I curl into his lap, the warmth of him grounding me like a gravity well, his presence more reassuring than any shield.

“Autopilot’s on,” he rumbles, his hands a blur of expert movements across the console. His voice is a low growl, a vibration that resonates through me, sending delicious shivers up and down my body.

“Spill,” I murmur, nuzzling his neck. His scent is a heady mix of metal and wild, like a storm brewing on an alien world. It’s intoxicating.

Passion flares between us, hot and unpredictable. “Tell me about the new assignment.”

His hands find me, big and strong, calloused from combat yet tender in their touch. For a heartbeat, it’s just us, the heat between us a blazing star. His touch ignites a wildfire within me, each caress leaving trails of stardust on my skin.

“It’s a tricky one,” he says, his breath hot against my ear. “Diplomacy and... other stuff.” He grins, that crooked, sexy grin of his that never fails to make my heart race.

I arch a brow, a playful challenge in my eyes. “Dangerous stuff?” My tone is teasing. We’ve chosen this life and ever since I gave up my diplomatic mantel, I’ve felt like I’m helping more than just my adoptive planet, I’m making a difference in the whole damn universe.

His dark eyes hold mine, a storm of emotion brewing within them. Desire, protectiveness, and a hint of worry swirl in their depths. “Always is with me,” he promises. But there’s vulnerability there too, a raw honesty that makes my heart ache. His fingers trace my jawline, gentle despite their strength.

I lean in, our lips nearly touching, the anticipation electric between us. “Then let’s make it our adventure,” I whisper in a low and husky tone. “Together, we’re unstoppable.” I seal our fate with a kiss, fierce and passionate, a promise of galaxies explored, dangers faced, and a love that will burn brighter than any star.

As we break apart, breathless, Garoth’s grin turns roguish. “Ready to conquer the universe, my little warrior?”

I settle more comfortably in his lap, my fingers intertwining with his. “With you? Always,” I reply, my eyes fixed on the vast expanse before us, filled with challenges and wonders waiting to be discovered.

The ship hums to life around us, a testament to our shared dreams. As we accelerate into the unknown, I know that whatever the galaxy throws our way, we’ll face it side by side — diplomat and warlord, human and orc, bound by a love as infinite as space itself.

Garoth’s hands roam with an urgency that ignites every nerve in my body, his touch a reminder of the ever-present danger and passion that interlace our lives. I press closer, our breaths mingling, rapid and heated.

“Another baby,” he growls between kisses, his voice a dark promise that resonates deep within me. “I can’t wait, Lila. A little princess this time, maybe.” His calloused fingers trace the curve of my spine, sending shivers cascading down my back. “As fierce and smart and beautiful as her mother.”

A thrill runs through me at the thought—a new life forged from our love, a precarious harmony we’ve fought so hard to build. It’s a dangerous wish, a gamble in the vastness of space where anything can happen, but it’s ours.

“Garoth,” I breathe out, surrendering to the swell of emotions. My heart pounds. To be seen as strong in his eyes, not just acknowledged but adored—it’s a heady sensation.

We kiss again, deeper, and I’m falling, tumbling into the abyss that is our love—a dark romance, rife with risk, yet brimming with the fiercest of joys. It’s a clash of worlds, a melding of souls who seek each other against all odds.

And in this moment, with the stars as our witnesses and the hum of the spaceship cradling us in its mechanical embrace, I believe in our happily ever after.

Against all odds, we carve out our existence, a testament to the power of love in a galaxy too often cold and unyielding. In Garoth’s arms, I find my sanctuary, my battle, my peace.

“Forever,” he whispers against my lips, sealing the vow with a kiss that tastes of eternity. And for now, for always, that’s enough.