Epilogue

Anash

This year, the Gatherdusk celebration in Tierney holds more meaning than ever because I'm celebrating it with my mate.

Our palace might not be as grand as Ralossi, but each and every Gatherdusk decoration was made with love and care by her residents. Blue dandyrose vines line every rail and balcony, nillyslug shells are hung above the mantel, and the halls are scented with the sweet and spicy aroma of boiling orange peels and cinnamon sticks.

The only thing that could make this holiday better is if Karia were here.

But I'm happy for my sister, who chose to remain behind in Lemossin to help Suvi establish a new, fair system of order for Luminia.

Though both women will blush and say things like "Time will tell" and "We're young; why rush?" if you ask them, it's obvious to the rest of us they're meant to be together. They're so sweetly devoted to one another, and with Flint at their sides as their loyal protector and—who knows?—maybe more than that. Well, I suspect they have a lot to look forward to.

They've promised us a visit once the realm is stable enough to continue without their guidance. We here in Tierney look forward to that day. Karia has been dying to have people come stay in the new guest wing she decorated, but I'll bet she never thought it would be her and her mates. And possibly Rahz and Jindal too. They're home safe in Jodpirn, but they know that if they ever get the itch to travel, they're welcome anytime.

Though the war thankfully never made it to my island sanctuary, in the spirit of the new leadership, we've opened our palace to all for the holiday.

Mind you, it was never closed to them. But we sent messengers to the farmers, merchants, villagers, and their families, inviting them to a community feast in our great hall. And by "great," I mean medium-sized. Our party is such a success it spills out onto the lawn, into the gardens, throughout the halls and sitting rooms, and fills our courtyard with happy souls.

Even my father is here along with his brethren from the brothel. If the curious but friendly stares bother them, they don't show it. Seems they preen under all the attention, tails held high, jewels glistening from bare belly buttons and pierced nipples.

I've never seen my home so lit up with faerie lights and smiles.

Late into the evening, a group breaks into song, and one by one, everyone sings along. The happy chorus warms my heart and makes me grateful to be a part of such a wonderful gathering.

Take what I'm feeling and multiply it by a thousand, and you have what Zenith is feeling.

We sit side by side on the rooftop, watching dancing revelers as the party continues well beyond midnight. He sniffs quietly, probably hoping I won't notice.

I notice.

"Happy again, my love?"

"Like you wouldn't believe."

I breathe in the salty coastal air, toss back my windswept, messy hair, and lean on my elbows, feet dangling over the edge. Stars and stars and stars twinkle overhead.

Tomorrow, we'll exchange gifts, nothing fancy because there's nothing we need. Shiny rocks, colorful shells, pretty driftwood found on long walks by the shore.

Tonight, we give thanks.

And among the many ways one person can thank another, I'll admit I have a few particular favorites in mind for Zenith.

I grab his hand. "Let's go to bed."

"You tired?" he asks in a voice entirely too innocent for what I have planned.

I lean against him, coil my tail around his waist, and whisper into his ear, "I'm hungry."

"Oh!" He's up in a flash, and a split second later, so am I, in his arms. "Yes, then. Let's go to bed."

He carries me through the window we cut into the palace for the purpose of easy roof access for gargoyles, down the hall, and through the threshold to our suite of rooms.

I'm deposited, giggling, onto my back on our unmade bed and promptly covered by his much bigger body. He kisses me as I tug at the hem of his soft green sweater.

"Off with this."

"Careful." He stops my wandering hands. "This was a gift."

"I know. I gave it to you. Now take it off." I smack his butt with my tail for emphasis.

He chuckles and strips away all his clothes. I whistle. When he's done, he strips mine too.

"Better." I run my fingers along the muscles of his chest.

"Glad you approve, my prince." He sits back on his haunches, almost posed like his stone form but delightfully flesh and blood instead. Naked flesh. My favorite. "You wanted me. What would you have me do?"

The possibilities are endless, and I want all of them to varying degrees, but tonight, what I crave most is… "Hold me, Zee. Hold me close. Wrap me up in your big arms while I cling to you, and fuck me till we can't hold back a second longer."

His honey-brown irises are swallowed by his pupils. "Yes," he growls. "My pleasure."

He turns me onto my side and fits himself up snugly behind me, my whole body enveloped by his. I cant my hips and hitch my top leg high. My entrance is ready for him, inviting his body into mine. I relish the slow slide, the stretch, his moan against my ear as he bottoms out.

We adjust in increments until we're as close as two people can be. Touching in every place we can manage. For a long moment, we lie still, just like this, merged in body and soul, in a bed that smells like us, in a room with all our combined things in it, on an island that we call home, in a realm that's once again at peace.

Just when I think my world couldn't possibly get any better, he moves.

"Mmm, yes." I whimper my pleasure.

We rock together.

A slow, delicious pressure builds between us.

I love the warmth of him pressed against my back as a contrast to the cool air on my chest. The heat where we're joined and the chill of the breeze through the open window. I shiver under the welcome onslaught of the combined sensations.

Zenith circles my leaking cock with his fist, giving me a channel to fuck as we move. I close my eyes and enjoy drinking him in.

We don't try to hold out. Why would we when we can start all over any time we like? No, we hurry our motions, chasing our pleasure as one.

His breath comes in warm pants against my nape. I don't fare much better, mouth hanging open, his name on my lips as I come in his hand. He lasts another few thrusts, growing impossibly large, then releasing inside me like a geyser.

We ride it out, stringing every last bit of bliss from each other, chests heaving. My incubus side gorges on our lovemaking, fully satisfied and basking in the afterglow.

As we recover, the sounds of the party filter back into my consciousness. Music playing. Laughter. People singing.

I slide the tip of my tail lazily up his spine and back down again, then roll over for a kiss and an embrace.

I nuzzle my soft cheek against his rough one. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Likewise, Nasha." He kisses me again. "And the best thing I could have ever wished for."

Thank you, dear reader, for journeying with me through Luminia. The Gatekeeper's book is up next: Tempting the Fae Lord; The Gatekeeper's Weakness .