Epilogue

Epilogue

Elaine

T he next year was a strange one for me and my little family. Full of love and laughter, the Dashing Rogue felt alive with all five cabins in use. At least in theory: I’d assigned our three adopted kids a room each, though Trur and Dance spent a lot of time in Bex’s room, to Bex’s loud and performative protests. I noticed that she never tried to keep them out, though.

My new first mate, one Mr. Kar Prince, didn’t spend much time in his either. It was more his storage area than his home at this point. The captain’s cabin was big enough for both of us since we didn’t mind being intimate.

“Your cat is being smug again,” Kar said, kissing my neck and enfolding me in his powerful red arms. Karkonar’s new identity was as deep and real as Royal Intelligence could make it, so the name on it had to be Arkari’s idea of a joke.

“I think he’s earned it.” I snuggled back into his grip, looking around. Sure enough, perched on a wiring cabinet, Onyx sat looking like the cat that got the cream.

“Yes, Onyx, you’re amazing,” I said. “Thank you for herding us together.”

He preened. I bit my lip as I felt Kar swell against me, and the blood rushed to my cheeks. “Onyx? Could you do me a favor and keep the kids busy, please? For a couple of hours?”

I’d swear Onyx’s smile grew wider, and he leaped into the air, vanishing into the corridor. I squirmed around to face Kar, drew a deep breath and started on the big conversation.

“It’s been a year, and your sister is doing pretty well for herself ruling Aris.”

“Mmm.” Karkonar sounded dubious, but not worried. More confused by my change of topic. “I’m still surprised every time we see a holo of her wearing the crown.”

I elbowed him. “Better than seeing you wearing it, my love. Because then I’d be watching you on a holoscreen and we couldn’t spend time together. I’m sorry you’re missing home, though.”

He chuckled at that and squeezed me tight.

“What are you talking about, Captain? This is my home. I may have been rich, but it was an empty wealth. I may not have money now, but I have a greater treasure.” Lips pressed to my neck, teeth scraped my skin, and I shivered.

“In that case, beloved, how would you feel about giving up your cabin?”

“Captain!” A shocked gasp. “Are you, in violation of all protocol, asking me to move in with you?”

“Well, we might need the space for something else,” I said, wriggling against him, glad Onyx was herding the kids. Karkonar’s hands wandered as he made a questioning noise, and his heat spread through me. “It turns out that we might need a nursery.”

My demon lover froze with a sharp intake of breath. “You’re — ”

“We need to confirm it with an actual doctor, but the autodoc says I’m pregnant.”

With a cry of triumph, he lifted me over his head and spun around before pulling me back in for a kiss. “We must celebrate this!”

I was laughing too much to protest as he leaped down the ship towards my — our — cabin, and the start of the rest of our lives.