Epilogue

One Year Later

"Morning, Liebling," I say to my mate as she glides into the kitchen. I instantly put down the knife I'm using to cut slices of the Hefezopf , and gather her into my arms.

"Hi, baby." Florence's breath is warm against my neck as she hugs me back. I squeeze her a little tighter and thread my fingers into her hair at the nape of her neck. I tilt her head up and press a sweet kiss to her lips, then go back for two more.

"You let me sleep in," Florence says with a slightly accusatory tone but her eyes hold no fire. Her fingers reach up to caress one of my horns and I melt into her touch.

"I know you've either been too nervous or excited to sleep well lately, so I wanted you to rest a little longer before Everett and Dede got here," I explain and skim my hands down her back to rest in the back pockets of her jeans.

"Have you heard from them this morning?"

"Everett messaged when they landed, but I haven't felt them cross the wards yet."

Florence pulls me down for another kiss before we reluctantly part and go about our morning routine of preparing breakfast together.

"I still can't believe they're flying to Germany to pick us up," she says while grinding enough coffee beans for Everett, Sadie, and me.

"Can you blame them?" I ask and finish buttering the pastry slices. "I know they've been so curious to see the house now that it's done."

Florence and I have spent the last year painstakingly furnishing our house, searching for unique, handcrafted pieces that spoke to us. It's now a beautiful combination of natural wood and colorful fiber art.

"I know, but it really is a very long way around the world to pick us up here and then go to Seoul. If they flew to Korea directly from Vegas it would've taken half the time," Florence explains as she preps the coffee machine.

I can't help the smile stretching across my face. "Stop trying to logic your way through this. They're coming because they love us."

Florence pauses and her jaw slackens. "Oh my goodness, how the tables have turned. Did I seriously just try to logic my sister, and you reminded me of emotions?"

I wink at her. "It's been quite a year of growth for us."

"You can say that again." Florence giggles.

Besides teaching mage hand magic, I work with local companies who want to pursue more holistic carpentry. Over the past year, Lebethron has helped me learn how to identify which trees are ready to bid their woodland homes goodbye and I act as their intermediary.

"Good morning, Sir Purrington. I was just about to search the whole house to find you," Florence coos, bending down to run her hands down our cat's fur. He nudges against her, leaning into her touch, before sauntering over to me.

"Hey there, big boy," I say affectionately and lower onto my haunches to scratch under his chin and behind his ears. "Do you like your new window perch?"

Florence perks up. "Oh! It arrived?"

"Lindsey dropped it off this morning. I assembled it already and stuck it in the living room window. When I looked earlier, Sir Purrington was stretched out on it, basking in the center of a sunbeam. Weren't you, boy?" I ask him as I pick him up to cradle in my arms for snuggles. Florence huddles close and we lavish our boy with love.

Despite basically having his own room dedicated to him, Sir Purrington goes where he wants. On cooler mornings he's in the living room with Florence, but he also likes to lie in the special bed I bought him when I'm in my study.

"Lindsey left you a note too when I said you were still sleeping."

Florence pouts. "I'm so sad I couldn't say bye."

"You literally saw her two days ago for that exact reason," I state with a chuckle.

"I guess that's true." Florence's shoulders slump and a trace of despondency trickles through the air. "I'm going to miss Sir Purrington. It's never easy leaving him when we travel."

With my free hand, I tilt Florence's chin up to look at me and cup her jaw, with Sir Purrington still a cozy bundle between us. Florence's one hand automatically sneaks under my shirt and splays across my abdomen, tracing my sensitive bark.

"I know it's not easy," I say, "but Sir Purrington is so smart, I know he understands. And, I am absolutely certain that he's happy that you're being recognized for your talent. We are all very proud of you for everything you've accomplished. This new exhibition in Seoul is going to be even better than last year's in San Francisco."

Florence's eyes turn glassy and her voice is breathy when she says, "I never thought I'd have an exhibition in South Korea. Is this real life?"

Sir Purrington chooses that moment to let us know he's had enough cuddles for now. I set him down and he prances back toward the sunny living room.

I run my hands down Florence's neck and cup her shoulders, ducking my head so we're eye level. "I love that I get to follow you everywhere. Plus, this time, we get to take Everett and Dede with us too." I smile at the beautiful woman before me who is still astounded that so many people around the world appreciate her art.

Florence turns the conversation to me. "Are you ready to teach your first classes in the Far East?"

I think about it for a second before answering. "Yes. Though, I am a little nervous too. Daehan said the students are very knowledge hungry, and might ask difficult questions. It will be interesting to see how they'll respond to my lesson on accessing emotions when they're used to theory-based teaching. But what I'm most excited about is the school's location in Hallasan Forest and meeting some of their trees. Each forest we've been to has felt completely unique to the others."

"You'll be fantastic," Florence says and her eyes glimmer with her belief in me. "Luckily all the trees speak Elvish so you don't have to worry about language barriers. While you teach, I'm going to try to convince Dede and Everett to hike up the volcano with me."

I laugh, unable to imagine Sadie enjoying the hike up Hallasan. "You might have to negotiate with her for that. Maybe go shopping in Seoul together before we head to Jeju?"

"That's actually a really good idea," Florence says and narrows her eyes in thought. Stepping away to boil the kettle for her tea, she says, "What time will Sylvia and Edmond get here?"

I collect the variety of jams we have and place them on the table along with the Hefezopf . "I think they'll be here in time for lunch with everyone."

Florence sets the table with breakfast plates and cutlery. "Have you spoken to Nithard?"

Things have been different between my father and I since my presentation. Now that I'm free from his hold—and he's desperate to master his mage hand, which he's finding incredibly difficult—he's not been sure how to deal with me. I won't go as far as calling him "nice," but he's certainly been more amenable to my requests.

"He's apprehensive about Edmond teaching a class at Alberad," I say with a light scoff. "I reminded him that Edmond went to school with us and actually did better than me on tests. But I guess as the first non-elf professor at Alberad, it's going to be an adjustment, even if he's just guest lecturing."

Florence boosts herself up on the counter in front of me and I automatically gravitate to her, parting her legs to stand between them. Her hands go to my nape and play with strands that I've been wearing longer since I got horns. Haircuts and looking neat and tidy are not really a priority for me anymore.

"The age of nepotism is over," Florence declares melodramatically. Then adds, "Or getting there. Point is, progress is being made. You said he's going to teach flying lessons too, right?"

"Yes. Flight Physics will be offered to all winged species. He'll also teach Magical Architecture as an extra credit for those interested in learning how magic is used in the building process."

I twist Florence's hair around my mage hand and angle her head as I kiss and nip along her jaw.

Relaxing against my body and leaning into my kisses, she says, "I'd love to listen in on one of his classes, even if I don't have magic or wings."

"Me too. Since they're staying here for so long, let's take Sylvia with us and attend a class when we're back from Korea. I'm not sure if she's sat in on one before."

"I don't know if she'd want to. Big groups and unknown situations don't pair well with her anxiety," Florence says breathily, scooting closer to the edge to rub against my hard length.

"I'll chat with Edmond and see if we can come up with something."

My fingers dig into Florence's butt as I pull her body against me. I claim her mouth in a fierce kiss and her hands drift toward the button of my pants.

I groan and reluctantly break the kiss.

"Everett and Dede just crossed the wards," I tell her when I feel them passing through the farthest barrier.

"Yay!" Florence squeals and hops down the counter. "I'm going to wait by the door." She starts skipping out of the kitchen, then pauses to look at me.

"You coming?"

"Not the way I want to right now," I grumble with a slight smile and readjust my throbbing cock.

Florence giggles and holds out her hand, waiting for me to follow her.

I always will.