Epilogue 1

~Alena~

One Month Later

Applause broke out as Saryan and Edgar sealed their beautiful vows with one hell of a passionate kiss that was enough to make many of the onlookers blush.

Onlookers who were in the thousands.

Their wedding was taking place on a hilltop in the center of the Dark Fae Realm so that everyone could be a part of it, not just the high-ranking guests and leaders from across the supernatural world.

With Orpheus taking his place alongside his father in the realm as well as splitting his time between Obsidian, Saryan had listened to his advice of becoming a more inclusive monarch, becoming a man of the people, rather than sticking to his former dictator-type style. And it had made the kingdom all the better for it. The fact that so many had come out to celebrate the King’s wedding was some undeniable proof of that.

Multicolored petals were strewn along the shimmering silver aisle with guests seated either side in rows of high-backed chairs with vibrant-green ribbons that matched Edgar’s magic. The newlyweds stood under a silver arch with black jagged vines wrapped around it before Cassius who had performed the ceremony.

I looked from my position at the edge of the row, down at my men who were all suited up, Orpheus wearing a vibrant purple tailored suit with a silver waistcoat, Talon in a black suit with his go-to orange and red accents via the tie and the trim, and Xavier in a cobalt-blue and black one that almost matched his father’s exactly, the shade just a little different. His father who was right beside him with his arm wrapped around Vanessa who had on a short silky dress that complemented his suit perfectly. I was wearing a multi-colored floor-length dress with a sweetheart neckline that matched the gorgeous necklace I had on gifted to me by my men.

As we went to sit down after rising following the vows and awaiting the walk of the grooms back down the aisle, Saryan signaled us to remain standing.

“Shit, he’s gonna do it right now?” I heard Talon say from beside Orpheus. “I figured he’d at least wait until the reception, not infringe on his own ceremony.”

Orpheus chuckled. “That’s my father, always full of surprises.”

I nudged him. “Marching to the beat of his own drum, just like his son, huh?”

He turned and smiled out at me, nuzzling my cheek. “Exactly, little angel.”

That had the four of us chuckling.

It died off quickly though, as Saryan whispered something to Edgar who then reached into his suit pocket—silver on silver just like Saryan’s—and withdrew four rings.

The next thing I knew, we were being ushered up to them by Saryan.

Orpheus took my hand as the four of us headed up there to a stunned silence from the thousands of onlookers.

I felt all eyes on us with every step we took.

Normally not the nervous type, it caught me by surprise that I was feeling that way now. Xavier nudged Talon, who nudged Orpheus and then he wrapped his arm around me.

I smiled, realizing that Xavier must have felt my pounding pulse.

“Focus on us, try to block out all the rest,” Orpheus whispered to me.

“This is our moment,” Xavier said.

“Our special union,” Talon uttered excitedly. “Shit, yeah!” he yelled a little too loudly.

It had a bunch of people laughing and it really took the edge off.

“God, I love you, angry bird.”

He winked at me. “Got your back, firecracker.”

Aww , he’d actually done it on purpose to make things better, to cut through the intensity.

We all gathered side-by-side as Saryan came to us, Marlowe right beside him holding out four rings on his palm, grinning at us excitedly.

Saryan’s voice boomed out over the crowds, a little flick of his hand enabling it to carry far and wide, “Today we join thee in an eternal union. One of adoration, understanding, and compassion. We honor your love and the true bond that runs deep between you all in full view of the Realm. This union is blessed and recognized by us all.” Marlowe passed him the rings and he slid them onto our fingers one at a time, lingering with Orpheus, stark emotion playing on his features. And then he abruptly embraced him, holding his son to him tightly.

Cheers and applause rang out, the sound deafening, but amazing and so incredibly heartfelt.

“Thank you, son. Thank you,” I heard him whisper to Orpheus.

Orpheus chuckled. “I love you too, Father.”

“My greatest creation indeed.”

When Saryan eased back, Marlowe took his hand, then thrust their joined hands into the air, announcing, “Now to the honeymoon!”

Wolf whistles and a whole lot of whooping had all of us chuckling.

As the two of them made their exit down the aisle, I brought the guys closer to me. “I love you all so much. I can’t imagine things being any other way. And I never want them to be.”

“And they never will,” Orpheus said.

“You heard the man—eternal union,” Talon said, grinning. “We’re sure as shit gonna live up to that.”

“Without a doubt,” Xavier said.

When we pulled apart, we made our way back toward the palace, Xavier turning around every now and then to check on his dad who was flirting up a storm with Vanessa.

“Never knew he had it in him, huh?” Talon said.

“Nope. Not at all.”

“Uncanny how one woman barreling into your life can shift so much, hmm?” Orpheus commented with a smirk at me.

“Hey, barreling into your life isn’t what happened—at least not on my end.”

“Is that right?” he challenged.

“You better believe it. You were so obsessed with me.”

His eyes shone. “Fucking right I was. Still am. We still are.”

“Well, right back at you, sweet things.”

The levity without all that madness and gloom bearing down on us was like nothing else. The last few weeks had been amazing.

“After the reception, are you still up for paying a visit to Obsidian’s new headquarters?” Orpheus asked Talon, ruffling his hair.

“Damn straight. I can’t wait to check out the new digs! I’m the only one who hasn’t seen the place yet.”

“Well, you’ve been busy with the development of your supernatural orphanage,” Xavier said.

“You’re going to love it, Tal. It’s Alena’s greatest magical creation thus far,” Orpheus told him, beaming at me.

Yeah, since the infamous battle had destroyed the previous location inside the pocket dimension, we’d considered it tainted from then on, so Obsidian had been scattered for the time being, until I’d designed and built a new operational center with my magic, one that could never be destroyed or even harmed in any way, an eternally permanent home for Obsidian. It was located in the heart of the mountains in the human realm not very far from Valmont.

I walked in front of the guys, pulling them up short. “There’s something else we should do first before we head out there.”

They all eyed me in question.

“Head upstairs to the special room I have here and celebrate our special union?”

“Down and dirty, firecracker. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Fucked to within an inch of your life?” Orpheus growled in that sexy way.

“Every inch of that sexy little body worshipped by us all?” Xavier added.

“Worshipped. Down and dirty. Fucked to within an inch of my life,” I mused in a teasing tone. “That’s the kind of celebration I’m talking about.” I leaned into them, whispering, “It may take all day and night.”

In the next second, Orpheus’ power flamed and then he was teleporting us right inside the room.

The three of them shoved me against the wall.

A thrill ran through me as they drank me in, devouring me with their eyes.

And they were about to devour me with a whole lot more.

I couldn’t wait another second.

I couldn’t wait to consummate the special union we’d just had sealed in front of the entire kingdom.

After everything we’d been through, having this now, being together was a big deal, a major achievement. Fuck, it was everything.

And I’d never ever take it for granted.

Through all the darkness and pain, all the ups and downs, we’d only grown closer, we’d only grown stronger.

We belonged together.

And I wanted to savor every moment of that.

“Bring it, boys,” I uttered, before lunging at them.

Devour me.