30. Epilogue

Chapter 30

Epilogue

TALIA

T hree weeks had passed since Firion and I arrived at his clan's floating island home. I was welcomed by everyone, and the Dastalon Clan had quickly become a second family to me.

We’d just begun to settle into our new life together when Aizor, the traedor of the Indigan Clan, sent an invitation to visit their mountain home. The idea of exploring a new part of Zuldrux was intriguing, and I couldn't wait to see the crystal structures I'd heard so much about.

The journey to the Indigan Clan was a breathtaking adventure. We traveled by ryvar, soaring high above the landscape, the wind rushing past us as Firion pointed out various sights below. The Indigan's territory was a sharp contrast to the desert we had crossed what felt like a lifetime ago. Lush forests gave way to rolling hills, and in the distance, towering mountains loomed, their peaks shrouded in mist .

As we approached, the crystal structures caught the sunlight, casting shadows of all shades of blue across the lavender grass. They were even more amazing up close, each reflecting the harmony between the Indigan Clan and their crystal gods.

The Ulistar Clan's shroom homes were just as impressive, rising like huge sentinels from the meadow below, their surfaces a patchwork of purple, green, and brown.

Xax, the Ulistar traedor, and his human mate, Amanda, greeted us as we landed near the circle of shrooms. Amanda's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she promised to give us a tour of their unique homes.

“You won't believe how spacious they are inside,” she gushed, her enthusiasm infectious. She kept her arm around Xax, and it was clear they were deeply in love.

The party was in full swing when we arrived, the night air filled with the sound of laughter.

Aizor welcomed us with a hearty embrace, a crystal sword gleaming at his side. Would Davon one day return the one he’d taken? I was curious to find out.

Firion and I moved around through the clans, him introducing me to everyone.

“Eat,” Amanda finally said with a laugh, her hand resting on her baby belly. “I made pizza and bread and cookies and cake.” She wasn’t sure when she’d deliver, and none of us knew much about Zuldruxian gestation, but she couldn’t wait to hold her youngling in her arms. “The crystal gods provided everything else.”

They’d set up a table outside, close to the huge bonfire, and I took in all the amazing choices. I couldn’t wait to fill a plate and stuff myself on Earth and Zuldruxian treats.

We settled in wooden chairs Firion told me Aizor had crafted himself, and I ran my fingertips across the smooth wood, admiring his skill.

With the soft glow of the crystal structures around us, we chatted with humans and Zuldruxians alike. The scent of burning wood filled the air, mixed with the tantalizing smell of food being shared among friends.

As the night wore on, everyone remained near the firepit, chatting. Aizor sat in a sturdy wooden chair, his mate, Vanessa, perched contentedly on his lap. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, and her eyes shone with love and happiness as she laughed at a joke one of the other clan members had shared.

Nevarn was there too, with his mate, Kerry. They sat close to each other, their hands always finding a way to touch, to connect. Every so often, Nevarn would lean in and capture Kerry's lips in a tender kiss, a silent promise of forever in each caress.

The other males watched us with both awe and longing. They must hope that one day, they too might find a mate who would look at them the way Kerry looked at Nevarn, the way I looked at Firion.

Khol, a Zuldruxian male from the Dastalon Clan, sat nearby with his mate, Nancy, her young daughter, Flora, half-asleep on her lap. The child had raced around with some of the Zuldruxian younglings, her laughter trilling through the air while Nancy and Khol watched her with pride. Though she was all human, she called him Daddy, and there was a story there I couldn’t wait to discover.

I was happy—deliriously so—but I couldn’t hold back my sadness.

Sensing it, Firion tightened his arms around me where I sat on his lap, leaning forward to kiss the top of my head.

“Tired?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I miss her.”

“I understand.” He’d sent clansmales to the island of gods with her physical description, but they’d returned, stating that she wasn’t resting in one of the pods.

The gods had sent her out into this world, and I didn’t know if she was alive or dead. If she was safe.

The thought of her lying somewhere, hurt and frightened, was tearing me apart.

With each embrace, every shared story, the absence of her laughter, her warmth, her presence, carved a hollow space within me. I could smile with happiness for the life I’d found with Firion, yet everything was tinged with the sorrow of separation from my twin.

I watched the couples around the fire, their bonds evident in every glance, every touch. The love they shared was a balm to my soul, a reminder of the love I’d found with my mate. Yet it also made me long even more for Maggie. I imagined her here, her eyes wide with wonder, her laughter joining in with ours.

“We’ll find her soon,” Firion said. “I promise.”

When the males returned from the island, he told them to rest, and then he gathered others, sending them in all directions to seek her. If she was out there, they’d find her and bring her to me.

I had to keep hoping I’d see her one day, that we’d finally be back together.

I was about to suggest we go to bed when a slender figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the circle of light cast by the fire.

Every male around the fire bristled, roaring to their feet with weapons ready in their hands.

Firion lifted his arm. “He’s a friend. No worries.”

While the others sat again, their sharp gazes on Coovik, a second male melted from the shadows to join him.

Firion made the introductions and gestured for Coovik and his friend to sit, offering them food and drink, which they accepted.

After they’d finished, Coovik’s gaze sought mine. “I come with messages from Davon.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I held my breath. Firion's hand squeezed my waist.

“First, your friend Brax and his friends have taken over the mine. They’re safe, and they’ve negotiated an arrangement with their king. They’ll run the operation, though now with volunteers who are paid, not prisoners, and they’ll sell the crystal in the Veerenad city.”

“That’s wonderful,” Firion said. “I’m glad he’s safe.”

“Also . . .” Coovik’s gaze met mine. “Davon found your sister, Maggie. She’s with him.”

My breath whooshed out, and my eyes smarted with tears. Maggie was alive ?

I couldn’t stop grinning.

“One other thing,” Coovik said, a hint of a smile twitching across his mouth. “Maggie is Davon’s mate.”

Would you like to read Davon and Maggie’s story,

Adored by the Alien Warlord?

It’s also the last book in the Brides of the

Zuldrux Warriors Series, and I’m going

To cry when this series is over.