Epilogue

Carys lay wrapped in Varn's arms, their bodies warm beneath the covers. The last few days had been like a dream—like a honeymoon—as they had rediscovered each other, piecing together memories that had once been stolen from them but were now returned.

They had laughed, they had cried, and they had relived moments that were both bittersweet and full of joy.

Varn's hand gently stroked Carys's back as they lay there, savoring the last moments before they would have to rise and face the day.

And what a day it promised to be. For today they were leaving Wishing Moon Bay and traveling to Mythia.

Carys smiled as another memory surfaced, one from long ago—the two of them sneaking away from a celebration, running through a moonlit forest together. She had tripped. His arm had snaked out and wrapped around her, pulling her close.

And then they had kissed.

"Do you remember that night in the forest?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned to face him.

Varn chuckled, his chest vibrating against her, making her shiver with desire. "How could I forget? The taste of your lips. The softness of your skin." He slipped his hand between their bodies and cupped her breast, his thumb tracing a circle around her nipple.

Carys sucked in a breath. One thing that had never changed through all the times they had met was the way he made her feel. His hands on her body, his lips on hers…

Despite the years they had lost, despite the magic that had tried to keep them apart, they had always been drawn back together. There was something comforting in that—in knowing that their bond was unbreakable.

Varn's fingers continued their delicious torment. He knew exactly what she liked and how she liked it. After all, they'd had plenty of practice.

Oh, those memories were some of the best.

He tweaked her nipple between his fingers and thumb, sending sparks of pleasure through Carys's body. She arched into his touch, craving more. Always more.

How could she have possibly forgotten the times they had made love, beneath the bedcovers, beneath the stars?

And that time on top of a mountain!

"We don't have time for this," she murmured halfheartedly, even as she hooked a leg over his hip to pull him closer.

"There's always time for this," Varn growled, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss that stole her breath and scattered her thoughts.

"If you say so," she murmured, sliding her hand across his chest before moving lower.

His hands roamed her curves, igniting flames wherever they touched. Carys surrendered to the sensations, to him, knowing that this was where she belonged—in his arms, in his heart.

But then he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. "As much as I want to continue this, you're right. We should get ready for our journey."

"What!" She tilted her head back and then shook her head as his chest rumbled. "You are so funny."

"It's part of my charm," he replied. "And why you fell in love with me."

"And you are so sure I fell in love with you?" she asked.

"Oh yes," he murmured as he lowered his head. "Over and over again." With that, he sucked her nipple into his mouth.

Her breath hissed through her teeth as he rolled his tongue around and around the taut bud. Oh yes. He knew exactly what she liked.

But that worked both ways.

She slid her hand lower and wrapped her fingers around his hardness. He groaned as she stroked him up and down, but he did not stop his relentless torture of her breasts.

He alternated between licking and sucking before grazing his teeth across the sensitive bud as he transferred his attention to her other nipple.

How was she supposed to think straight when he was doing such wonderfully wicked things to her body? Carys moaned, her fingers tightening around his length as he drove her closer to the edge with each flick of his tongue, each nip of his teeth.

Varn's free hand roamed lower, caressing her curves, teasing the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. She parted her legs in invitation, needing to feel his touch where she ached for him most.

As if reading her mind, he slid one thick finger inside her, while his thumb brushed against her most sensitive flesh. In and out, he moved, lapping at her nipples with the flat of his tongue while he stroked her inner walls.

Somehow, she managed to keep enough control to stroke his hardness, driving him toward his climax.

But then he slipped his fingers out of her and raised his head. Their eyes locked together as he rolled onto his back, taking her with him.

Carys straddled him, raising herself up on her knees as she guided him into her slick heat.

Then slowly. So very slowly, she inched down on his hard length, biting her bottom lip as he entered her.

Varn's hands gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh as she took him inch by delicious inch. The feeling of being stretched and filled by him was exquisite torture. Carys threw her head back, her hair cascading down her spine as she finally impaled herself fully on his thick shaft.

"Carys," Varn groaned, his voice rough with need.

She clenched her inner muscles around him in response, relishing the hiss of breath that escaped his lips. Slowly, she began to move, rising up until only the tip of him remained inside her before sinking back down.

He groaned and bit his bottom lip as he cupped her breasts in his hands, his thumbs brushing over her nipples. She closed her eyes and rocked her hips back and forth, around and around as she rode him.

Varn met her thrust for thrust, his hips rising off the bed as he drove himself deeper. Carys lost herself in the sensations, in the heat of Varn's body against hers, inside hers.

This time there would be no forgetting.

Carys braced her hands on his chest, her nails digging into his skin as the coil of tension low in her belly wound tighter and tighter.

She was so close, but she didn't want this to end. Even though she knew what pleasure awaited.

Varn slipped his hand around her waist and levered his body, so his breath caressed her skin. From this sitting position, he cupped her breast in his hand and then sucked her nipple into his mouth. Her inner walls clenched around him, and she knew she was close.

And he was going to make her come.

His hand left her breast to seek the sensitive nub at the apex of her thighs, and he applied just the right amount of pressure to tip her over the edge. Carys cried out, her body trembling as she finally came.

Waves of ecstasy crashed over Carys as her inner muscles clenched around Varn's hard length. Varn thrust up into her again and again, before finding his own release. With a guttural groan, he held her tight as he spilled his essence deep inside her.

Finally, Carys collapsed against his chest. Varn's arms encircled her, holding her close as they both came down from their high. He brushed her hair back from her face, pressing a tender kiss on her forehead as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "I'll never let us be parted again."

Tears pricked Carys's eyes at the sincerity of his words. And this time, she knew it was true. Nothing. No one would tear them apart.

"I love you, too."

Holding her close, he lay down and rolled onto his side. It was as if they had cast a spell of their own over themselves. One that would never be broken.

But time was not on their side.

Carys sighed, reluctantly disentangling herself from his embrace. "I suppose we should go. Mythia awaits."

"It does." He kissed her lips, and cupped her face in his hand, staring at her as if burning her face into his mind.

"Come on." She slipped out of his arms and sat on the side of the bed as the watery sun seeped through the window. Soon they would leave the shores of Wishing Moon Bay behind to start their new life together.

But they would return often. For in her heart, this would always be home.

Varn rolled out of bed and stood up. "Why don't you go take a shower? I'll make us some breakfast."

Carys turned to look at him as she pulled on her robe. "I could get used to being spoiled like this."

Varn grinned, his eyes filled with love. "Good. I want you to get used to it, because I intend to spoil you for the rest of our lives."

Carys laughed, and went to him, rising on her toes as she pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Then I guess I'll hold you to that, Varn."

He smiled against her lips, his hands cupping her face. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

With one last lingering look, Carys stepped away, heading toward the bathroom. She paused at the door, glancing back at Varn as he stood by the window, the light of the rising sun casting him in a golden glow.

He looked so otherworldly. As if she could see his dragon shimmering beneath the surface.

***

Half an hour later, they were showered, dressed, and after a quick bite to eat, they left the apartment, the crisp midwinter air greeting them as they stepped outside. The sky was still tinged with the soft colors of dawn, and the world felt calm and quiet. A peaceful contrast to the journey ahead.

When they reached the open space outside the building, Varn turned to her, and stepped closer, pulling her into his arms as his lips claimed hers.

When he let her go, he took a step back, and Carys watched as the air around him shimmered and crackled with energy. In an instant, Varn shifted into his dragon form, his massive wings unfurling as his scales gleamed in the early morning light.

She would never get over the sight of him. Majestic, fierce and utterly hers.

Varn lowered his head, his golden eyes meeting hers, and Carys took a moment to rest her forehead against his in greeting. The dragon closed his eyes and enveloped her in a warm plume of smoke that chased away the chill of the day.

Then she stepped back, and the dragon lowered his forelimb toward the ground. With practiced ease, Carys secured their luggage around one of his horns. She had done this countless times before, but somehow it felt different, more significant, more intimate.

Once everything was secure, she climbed up onto his back, settling herself between his shoulders. She took a deep breath, her eyes closing for a moment as she felt the warmth of his scales beneath her.

Orimorn had already sailed to Mythia. It seemed he too had found a significant other during the holidays and that significant other had taken Carys's place onboard The Wind Raider.

Carys and Varn would meet them on Mythia, and, between them, they would forge a new peace deal. It wouldn't be easy, but they would find a way.

Varn crouched down, his muscles coiling beneath him, and with a powerful leap, he launched them into the air. The wind whipped around Carys, tugging at her hair and clothes as they soared upward, the ground falling away beneath them. It was exhilarating. There was no other word for it. The feeling of power beneath her. And a sense of freedom as Varn rose higher in the cloudless sky.

They circled the town once, Varn's wings beating powerfully as he glided over the rooftops. Carys looked down, taking in the familiar streets, the houses where the people who had become part of their lives still slept.

And there, squeezed between two buildings, stood The Lonely Tavern.

The dragon banked and headed out toward the ocean. As they flew, the sun fully broke over the horizon, bathing the world in a golden light.

She leaned forward, her hands resting on Varn's warm scales. "I love you," she whispered, her voice lost in the wind, but she knew Varn heard her.

He let out a deep rumble in response, his wings shifting as they banked toward the horizon. And flew on toward whatever adventures awaited them—knowing that, no matter what, this time they had each other.

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