38. Epilogue

KIT

Istep back with an oomph as Lilath vaults into my arms, knocking me back into Cyril. She has nearly doubled her size in the couple of weeks since I last saw her and is now chattering non-stop in a trill high pitched voice that makes me cringe and smile at the same time. Holding the little dragonling tight against my chest, I rub my cheek over her warm scales. The dragon inside me starts to purr.

"She's missed you." Lee settled the four unhatched eggs into a special heated nest we've prepared in the royal nursery. Nestled in the eastern wing of the palace, where the morning sun bathes the room in warm, golden light, the nursery is a masterpiece of Hauck and Autumn's creation. The walls are constructed from enchanted wood to withstand the accidental fire belches dragonlings are prone to and stone pillars in each corner glow with additional fire-absorbing runes. Translucent crystal makes up the ceiling, allowing in natural light during the day and a view of a full star sky at night.

At my uncompromising insistence, the security teams stationed on the roof and at all doors and windows are hidden from view. Not that anyone can forget that they are there with Tavias running surprise inspections every few hours.

Lilith snaps at my hair and I pull back just in time to prevent an accidental haircut. Little wonder Lee's own braid is wrapped into a tight coronet atop her head.

"No hogging the dragonling," Cyril says, pulling Lilith out of my arms. Despite his gruff voice, his bright blue eyes are shiny and lined with silver. Lilith bends her head and the pair nuzzles their foreheads against each other. Then Lilith shakes herself like a wet puppy and her scales take on a blue color to match Cyril's.

"Stars," Cyril murmurs.

My eyes sting. Beside me, Lee presses her hand to her heart. I take her other hand and squeeze it tight as Tavias and Hauck step forward tentatively. My pulse quicks. The storm of the males' apprehension and excitement, which reaches me through the bond, threatens to overwhelm me.

Cyril lets Lilith down, but the dragonling disappears behind his legs, looking uncertainly at the males.

My chest tightens.

Extending his hand, Cyril summons a handful of water from a flower vase and shapes it into a translucent rabbit that starts hopping across the room. Lilith squawks in excitement, and takes off after her prey—her final pounce taking her right into Hauck's open arms.

Hauck, who'd crouched strategically, falls back with a laugh.

"You've conquered me, my lady," he informs Lilith. And I know he isn't talking about the tumble.

I bite my lip. Oblivious to it all, Lilith breaks into a victory dance atop Hauck's broad chest.

Tavias glances my way and I give him an encouraging nod. He draws a fortifying breath. "Hello there…" Tavias stumbles, but picks up again with renewed courage. "Hello. I'm Tavias... It is a pleasure to meet you, Lilith."

The dragonling turns her head up toward him, her little eyes wide as she cranes her neck.

I clear my throat pointedly.

"Right." Tavias crouches uncertainly, holding out his palm. A large, calloused, trembling palm.

Lilith hesitates several heartbeats, then tottles across Hauck's chest toward Tavias. She extends her snout slowly, as if he is the smaller of the pair, then nuzzles Tavias's fingers in the gentlest caress I've ever seen from her.

Tavias brings his hand back to his chest and closes his eyes.

The sudden surge of protectiveness that shoots through the bond makes me worry for the Massa'eve male dragon population. At least the future adolescent ones.

"Quinton?" I call gently, turning toward where the last of my mates lingers by the door. He shakes his head. My heart squeezes but I don't force him. He'll connect with Lilith when he is ready. I'm sure of it.

The door opens without a knock, Bianca inviting herself inside. My mates growl. She ignores them.

"You are four hours behind schedule," Bianca informs me in a tone that has Tavias, Hauck and Cyril all forming a protective half circle around me. Bianca scowls up at them, her hands on her hips. "Get over yourselves—unless you intend for the dragon queen to attend her coronation naked?"

"I'm certain you meant to say, ‘your bath is ready, Your Highness, and I've your dress laid out'," Cyril tells Bianca through clenched teeth before turning to me. "Is there a reason we can't get you an assistant with manners? Or at least one without a history of trying to stick a knife into your spine?"

"Yes. Because none of the people fitting those criteria are able to march past the three sets of guards Tavias has stationed in the hallway, much less enforce a schedule." I know because we tried five of them.

"The ceremony is going to start with a reading of the prophecy," Bianca continues, listing out all the painstaking details that were finally nailed down last night. Between all the traditions and expectations, I would give anything to have it just be over already.

As if sensing my thoughts, Cyril steps up behind me and runs his hands over my shoulders.

"One last thing," Bianca continues. "Will you be bringing the baby? Because if you are, she should also be clothed."

"You want to put a dress on a dragonling?" Cyril asks. "Actually, forget the question. Please, go do it. Let's make dressing Lilith be your personal responsibility, Bianca."

"You do remember that humans are flammable, right?" Hauck murmurs.

"I'm counting on it," Cyril replies.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Lee will bring Lilith," I say with all the patience I can muster, and send another mental thank you to my friend for agreeing to stay in the palace as the hatchlings' governess. "And she'll be ready to make a quick exit if things turn… fiery."

Bianca purses her lips. "She would not be my first choice."

"And pray tell who would?" I ask, realizing with sudden panic that with the exception of our voices the room has been quiet for several minutes now. Too quiet.

Bianca points behind me. "Him, of course."

We all turn, my eyes widening as I behold Quinton standing at the back wall, a chubby fae girl asleep in his arms while shadows wrap father and daughter together.