Epilogue 1

Bexley Blackforge

The next summer…

"Hurry, hurry, we have to get you changed!" Rachel took my hand and pulled me towards the door of my bridal suite, my mates grumbling behind me. Waving to them, I giggled as she pulled me into the room, followed by every other woman in my life.

Seriously, the list was growing extensive. Rachel, Diane, my mom, and my mates' moms all joined us. Even Rebecca, who while moving a bit slower these days, seemed pleased to be part of it. There were others outside as well, guarding so that no one could come into the suite as I changed for the reception—all five hundred guests moving to the party tents that filled the back of our property.

That was when the true celebration would begin!

"That was beautiful!" Celine said as she unpinned my hair. "I'm so glad you did a traditional mating ceremony. I know it felt slightly old fashioned, but it was beautiful."

"I agree," my mom said. "I hadn't heard those vows spoken since the last storm dragon wedding, and in the native tongue from the Silvershade clan—that part was perfect!"

Mrs. Silvershade unzipped the back of my dress as Breaker's mom pulled out the other one. All of them were bustling around me, and all I could do was smile, captivated by my image in the mirror. My wedding gown was gold and long-sleeved, the bodice covered in jewels of black, amber, and silver, starting heavy at the top and fading to a sprinkle on the skirt. The train was several feet long, and I think my freakin' dad had almost tripped on it while walking me down the aisle.

The ceremony had been absolutely beautiful, held in the ballroom of our new estate. The decorations—everything from the drapery coming down from the ceilings to the handwritten programs—had been a dream. We'd limited the guest list for the ceremony, but the reception was open to anyone from the territory who wanted to make the journey. Our families had even created an entire camping area with luxury tents for people to stay in. The whole thing was…it was something else.

"I can't wait to dance," I said as the door opened and Olivia and Carol slipped in. "Olivia, you did amazing! Best flower girl ever! And Carol, the floating candles along the ceiling were gorgeous."

"Just glad we could help," she said, taking a seat.

"Alright, let's step out of this," my mom instructed, leaving me in a gold slip and heels. Rachel had already started brushing my hair from its updo, and Diane was touching up my makeup. Rebecca walked over with my reception dress, which had been handmade in the fae territory.

It was silky and uncomplicated—a bright metallic gold accented with diamonds—but gorgeous and perfect for dancing. It also complemented my bridesmaids'—Rachel and Diane's—dresses, which along with the flower girl's were bronze. My mates had worn black tuxes to round out the look, and I knew, I just knew, that it had turned out as stunning as I'd hoped it would.

I always loved a good party, but more than anything I wanted this celebration to be a true reflection of my mates and me, and so far it had been that and so much more! I still couldn't believe we'd planned it in less than a year.

"Here we go." Breaker's mom held my hand as I stepped into my second dress, the silky material sliding up my hips and the straps sliding over my shoulders. The back zipped up effortlessly, the dress fitting to me like a second skin.

"I can't decide which is my favorite," Mrs. Silvershade admitted.

"I love both," Diane agreed. "Now, where's the bottle of champagne we had in here?" Despite not being the friendliest individual at first, I found it fairly easy to be friends with Diane. In some ways, we were a lot alike. Not personality-wise, but in our sense of justice. Of course, I think her newfound loyalty to me had more than a little to do with the fact that I'd rid the world of Linan—something her mom and sisters celebrated upon meeting me.

As Diane poured champagne for the group, I moved to the vanity and grabbed the bracelet that Gage had given me on my eighteenth birthday. I hadn't been able to wear it with the other dress, but with this one? It went perfectly.

"Here we go!" Celine handed me a glass as we stood around in a circle. "Cheers!" Glasses clinked, and in a whirlwind I was whisked from the room and striding down the hallway. Around us people cheered and raised glasses, my own champagne sweet on my tongue as I looked around my home—although tonight it felt like a home for everyone.

Lauren had truly come through, not only completing the project by the start of summer, but creating a space that I knew I would be happy in forever.

"I can't believe we're finally here," I whispered, standing in the gorgeous kitchen. A greenhouse ceiling arched over the island and continued all the way to the far side of the room. The amount of light that came through caused everything from the white diamond-like granite to the gold fixtures to sparkle.

"Your vision come to life?" Jagger asked.

"More than I could ever imagine. I never want to leave."

"We don't have to," Breaker said, making me smile.

"You don't want to go back to school?" I teased, already knowing the answer. "That's okay—neither do I. I feel like anything I need to learn, I can do here."

"Whatever you want, cupcake." Gage opened the fridge and pulled out cupcakes, making me clap as I jumped up on the counter, immediately grabbing one.

"Let's stay here next fall. Let's focus on the territory."

It had been that simple to convince them, which told me all I needed to know about their opinions on the matter. Living here for the past two months had been amazing, and I'd already added so many finishing touches to each space—like the drawing and tea rooms—that made the gigantic property feel like home. I'd even convinced Rebecca to live with us in a separate wing of the house as a healer and counselor. Considering she'd been floating between our place and my parents' anyway, it worked out perfectly.

That had been another thing Lauren had delivered on, ensuring we had plenty of space for guests in the house's multiple wings. Those we never had trouble filling, but there were ten little bedrooms in our wing that were empty as of yet. Something I wanted to change, which I had no doubt my mates would love.

Taking another big sip of champagne, I offered an air ‘cheers' to everyone we passed as we made our way across the lawn towards the central tent. I recognized so many women in the crowd, and I was so glad to see smiles on their faces. When we'd decided not to return to DIA, it was in large part because I'd been absent so much while I worked with the women who'd been imprisoned by Clanguard. Between that and helping with the new schools that Thomas had started, I realized I preferred focusing on the wellbeing of the territory.

It felt good to do something so much larger than simply focusing on myself and my family.

Before I could step foot in the tent, I was suddenly swept off my feet, laughter leaving me as Breaker whisked me onto the dance floor. Melting into his touch, I tilted my head back and saw the true, authentic happiness filled his expression.

"I hadn't seen this one," he said, referring to my dress. "You look stunning, mo chuisle ."

Looking around the tent, at the hundreds of tables that stretched out onto the lawn and into three other tents, I felt a momentary sense of awe. Suspended from the ceiling were long pieces of gold fabric that moved like clouds above us, delicate lanterns swaying between them and creating beautiful patterns on the ground. The tables were covered in expensive linen, and the centerpieces were pure gold statues of dragons surrounded by white flowers. The scent of the flowers filled the air, and the upbeat music from the live band in the corner had us spinning and dancing only faster.

"I'm so glad we did this," I said, Breaker's mismatched eyes filled with so much love that it humbled me. No matter how long we were together, I don't think I would ever fully get used to it—but I never wanted it to end.

"I'll never complain about making a public claim to you in front of hundreds of people." He leaned down and kissed me hard, bringing our dance to a halt as I let out a pleased noise.

"As long as she doesn't make those fucking noises," Gage grumbled, appearing behind me. "Love the dress, cupcake."

"Talking about cupcakes…" I twirled out of Breaker's arms and looked around. "Where are they?"

"I got it." Breaker kissed me hard once more before going toward the head table at the front. I couldn't see Jagger, but I knew he couldn't be far.

"There is an entire sweets table that I totally need to know the location of," I said with a teasing grin.

"It won't let you down," Gage promised, scooping me up. People around us cheered, causing me to blush. The kiss he placed on my lips took away any embarrassment, totally managing to distract me, and before I knew it he was setting me down.

My eyes widened because he was totally right—this could absolutely never let me down.

A table that had to be at least twenty-four feet in length was covered in three tiers of desserts, even featuring a chocolate fountain. But the thing that caught my attention? Several hundred gold cupcakes topped with glitter that sparkled like diamonds. I immediately grabbed one, not hesitating to remove the wrapper and take a huge bite.

When I looked up at Gage, I found him offering me the biggest grin. I arched a brow. "What?"

"You are so damn perfect." He kissed me again and then motioned towards the head table. "Let's go save Jagger over there while you enjoy your cupcake."

"Save him?" I asked with concern, only to realize that he'd been cornered by a group of little old ladies. I broke out in a laugh, unable to help myself. One time. I had brought him to a knitting group I started one time, and they were obsessed with him!

"I got this," I told Gage as I slipped through the crowd and reached them easily.

"Hey ladies!" They all turned towards me, a series of hugs and congratulations filling the air as I offered Jagger a knowing smile. After saying hello to each one of them and pointing them in the direction of the desserts, I made my move.

"I'm going to steal my husband away, if you ladies don't mind." I eased myself into Jagger's arms and he quickly pulled me away, causing another laugh to leave me.

"They're so persistent," he groaned. "I mean, they're nice…"

"It's funny," I teased. "But look—I got to save you!"

He offered me a narrowed look and tilted my chin up, pressing a hard kiss to my lips. My other mates were sitting nearby, and as Jagger pulled me to join them, the four of us in our own little bubble, I couldn't help but smile. This was perfect.

This was everything I could ever want or need.

Well…almost everything.

I planned on telling my husbands the one—or possibly way more than one—last thing I wanted on our honeymoon. Something that I swear they'd been trying to do this entire time…

To start a family.