9. Epilogue

nine

Epilogue

I stand at the counter in our hideout's kitchen, chopping vegetables alongside Finzar. The scent of unfamiliar spices fills the air as we experiment with some of the newly grown produce from Aridium's slowly rejuvenating soil. It's still strange to see green things sprouting from what was once barren wasteland, but I'm not complaining. Especially not when it means Finzar and I can indulge in our newfound shared interest: cooking.

As I reach up to grab a spice from a high shelf, my shirt slips off my shoulder. I feel Finzar's eyes on me, and then his presence behind me. His fingers lightly trace the outline of my brand scar. His touch is gentle, almost reverent, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

Sensing my sudden melancholy, Finzar leans down and presses a soft kiss to my shoulder, right over the brand. "You're beautiful," he murmurs against my skin, his breath warm and comforting.

Our moment is interrupted by Zeth, another crew member, poking his head into the kitchen. "What's that smell?" he asks, his nose wrinkling slightly.

Finzar and I exchange amused glances. "It's our new recipe," I explain. "Roasted bogroot with spiced sand-pea puree."

Zeth looks dubious. "Uh, I think I'll pass. I'm suddenly not that hungry."

As Zeth retreats, Finzar and I burst into laughter.

"More for us," Finzar says with a grin, pulling me close and planting a quick kiss on my lips before we return to our culinary experiment.

Later that evening, I head to the balcony of our new hideout. As our crew has grown, we needed more space. So Leera and Kuran found us a repurposed old mining facility hidden deep in the canyons of Aridium. And this is the perfect spot for watching the suns set over the desert landscape. The once barren wasteland now shows signs of life, with patches of green sprouting up here and there thanks to the miraculous rain.

The crew has been busy in the past year, taking on jobs that not only line our pockets but also help those still struggling under the remnants of the Nexus' rule. We've become something of a legend among the people. And at the heart of it all are Finzar and me, a couple who have beaten the odds and found love in the most unlikely of places.

As I gaze out at the horizon, my mind wanders to a recent mission we completed. We infiltrated a Dune Marauder outpost to liberate a group of enslaved workers. The plan had gone smoothly until one of the guards spotted us. In the chaos, we found ourselves cornered. Outnumbered and outgunned.

Just when it seemed we might not make it out, Finzar pulled me close and whispered, "Together or not at all, remember?" With renewed determination, we fought our way out, covering each other's backs and moving in perfect sync. It was in that moment, amid the danger and adrenaline, that I realized how deep our bond had truly become.

I feel his strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close as he rests his chin on my shoulder. "Credit for your thoughts?" he murmurs, his voice low and rumbling.

"Just thinking about how far we've come," I reply, turning my head to press a quick kiss to his lips. "It's been quite the adventure, hasn't it?"

He chuckles, the sound sending a pleasant shiver through me. His thumb traces absentminded circles on my hip, the gesture both affectionate and possessive. I lean into his touch, reveling in the safety and comfort his presence brings. "Indeed it has. And I would not have it any other way."

I grin up at him, feeling the familiar warmth that spreads through my chest whenever he looks at me like that. "Neither would I."

We stand there for a moment longer, watching as the twin suns dip below the horizon, casting the world in shades of orange and purple. As beautiful as the view is, I feel a sense of restlessness stirring within me.

"So," I say, breaking away from Finzar's embrace and turning to face him with a mischievous grin. "What do you say we go on a little adventure of our own?"

His eyebrows raise in surprise, but he quickly recovers, matching my grin with one of his own. "Oh? And what did you have in mind?"

"Well," I drawl, stepping closer and running a finger down the front of his chest, "I thought we could start by taking one of the skimmers out for a spin. There's a place I've been wanting to show you, somewhere no one else knows about."

Finzar's eyes gleam with curiosity and something else—something that sends a thrill through me. "Is that so? And where might this mysterious place be?"

I wink at him, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. "You'll just have to trust me and follow my lead."

We make our way down to our new garage, where our fleet of sand skimmers is parked. I hop onto one of the sleek vehicles, patting the seat behind me as an invitation for Finzar to join me. He climbs on, wrapping his arms around my waist as I rev the engine and take off into the night.

The wind whips through my hair as we speed across the desert, the moonlight casting long shadows on the dunes below. I can feel Finzar's heart beating against my back, his grip tightening around me as we navigate the treacherous terrain at breakneck speeds. It's exhilarating, the thrill of the ride combined with the knowledge that he's there with me, holding on for dear life.

Finally, we arrive at our destination: a hidden oasis nestled between towering cliffs, its entrance obscured by a waterfall that cascades down from above. Just one of the wonders that taking down the Nexus has brought Aridium. I bring the skimmer to a stop near the edge of the pool, shutting off the engine and taking a deep breath of the cool, damp air.

Finzar dismounts, looking around in awe at the lush vegetation and crystal-clear water. "This is… incredible, Loelle. How did you find this place?"

I shrug, trying to play it cool despite the pride swelling inside me. "I have my ways. Besides, I figured we could both use a break from all the chaos, you know? Just the two of us, away from everything else."

He steps closer, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "You're amazing, do you know that?"

I roll my eyes, feigning annoyance even as my cheeks flush with pleasure. "Oh, stop it. You're only saying that because I brought you to this fancy watering hole."

Finzar laughs, pulling me into his arms and lowering his head to capture my lips in a searing kiss. The world seems to melt away around us, leaving only the sound of the waterfall and the feel of his body pressed against mine.

When we finally break apart, both breathless and flushed, his eyes darken with desire, but he manages to keep his voice level as he says "So, what do you say? Shall we take a dip?"

I shrug, giving him a sly smile. "I thought you'd never ask."

I take his hand and lead him to the edge of the pool, our footsteps echoing softly on the stone. The moon is full, its pale light reflected on the surface of the water, bathing the oasis in a gentle glow.

We strip down to our undergarments, wading into the cool water together. The sensation of his skin against mine sends shivers through me.

Our gazes lock, the moonlight casting shadows across his face. His eyes, normally a pale blue, are nearly black.

There's a moment, suspended in time, when neither of us move. Then, in a flash, I'm wrapped in his arms, the heat of his skin burning against me. His lips find mine hungrily, as if he can't get enough.

The water envelops us, lapping gently against our bodies. I cling to him, desperate for more. The cool water is a sharp contrast to the heat that's burning through me.

We break apart, gasping for air. He looks down at me, his gaze intense.

"This looks like the perfect place to fuck you, my criminal queen," he whispers darkly, his voice raw with emotion.

My heart feels like it's going to burst as my core pools with need at his words.

"I need you too, Finzar," I sigh before we come together in a frenzy of passion, our lips crashing against each other as our hands explore every inch of skin they can reach. The water laps at our bodies, creating a tingle that only adds to the heat building between us.

I can feel Finzar's hardness pressing against me, and I know he's just as desperate for this as I am. His hands roam over my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake, causing me to moan into his mouth.

He lifts me effortlessly, wrapping my legs around his waist as he carries me deeper into the pool. The water swirls around us, the current seems as strong as our desire for each other.

When we're far enough from the edge, Finzar lowers me onto his length with a groan, filling me completely. I throw my head back, letting out a cry of pleasure as he begins to move inside me.

The feeling of him being inside me is overwhelming, the combination of the cool water and his hot cock driving me wild. I cling to him, my nails digging into his shoulders as I match his rhythm, our bodies moving together in perfect harmony.

Our breaths come out in ragged gasps, mingling with the sound of the waterfall and the soft slap of the water against our skin. Every thrust sends waves of pleasure through me, and I can feel my climax building inside me until I can barely contain it.

Finzar's grip on me tightens, his fingers digging into my hips as he thrusts deeper, harder. I can feel his knot beginning to swell, stretching me in a way that only adds to the intense pleasure coursing through my body.

"Loelle," he growls, his voice low and rough. "I'm close."

"Me too," I pant, my body trembling with the effort of holding back my release.

With one final, powerful thrust, Finzar pushes me over the edge. My orgasm crashes through me like a tidal wave, leaving me gasping for air as I cling to him. I feel his knot lock into place, sending another wave of pleasure through me as he finds his own release.

The feeling of his knot inside me is almost too much, and I cry out again, my body convulsing around him as another surprising orgasm washes over me. Finzar groans, his hips jerking as he continues to spill himself inside me.

We stay there for a moment, our bodies still joined, our breaths slowly returning to normal. The water around us continues to swirl; its lapping adding to the post-orgasm bliss.

Eventually, Finzar's knot deflates, allowing us to separate. He gently lowers me back onto my feet in the cool water, his arms still wrapped around me as we stand there, chest to chest.

"That was… incredible," he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

I smile up at him, feeling a warmth spread through my chest that has nothing to do with the afterglow of our lovemaking. "It really was, my sexy tormentor."

Our bodies are still slick with water and sweat, and I can feel Finzar's seed leaking out of me as we stand in the oasis, our breathing slowly returning to normal.

He gently strokes my cheek, his gaze locked onto mine. There are so many things I want to say, so many emotions I can barely contain, but I settle on the simplest words that convey everything I feel.

"I love you, Finzar. Always will. Even if you did try to sacrifice me to a bunch of creepy sun gods first."

"I love you too, Loelle. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, no matter the cost."

We kiss, long and slowly, our bodies pressed together as we savor the moment.

"You know," Finzar murmurs, his voice thick with emotion, "I never thought I'd find someone who understands me, someone who makes me want to be better. But you've changed me, Loelle. You've made me a better male. And I promise, I will never let you go."

As the moonlight bathes the oasis in a pale glow, we stand there, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in the moment. The water licks at our skin, cool and refreshing, washing away the tension and fear of the past.

We stand there for a few more moments, just enjoying the feeling of being in each other's arms. But eventually, the cool water starts to become chilly, and we reluctantly make our way back to the shore.

As we dress, I steal glances at Finzar, my heart swelling with love every time I look at him. He catches my eye and gives me a crooked, fanged grin, sending a fresh wave of desire through me.

Just as we're about to head back, my communicator suddenly chirps to life.

"Boss," Kuran's voice crackles through the device, sounding both excited and nervous. "You're not gonna believe this, but we just intercepted a transmission. It's about a hidden vault, supposedly full of tech that could change everything."

Finzar and I exchange looks, a familiar spark of adventure igniting in both our eyes.

"Well, my criminal queen," Finzar says with a smirk, "looks like our quiet night just turned into the start of a new adventure. You in?"

I laugh, already feeling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Always," I reply, matching his grin. "After all, someone's got to keep you out of trouble."

As we hop on the skimmer, ready to race back to our crew and toward our next great escapade, I can't help but wonder what thrills, dangers, and unexpected twists await us this time. But one thing's for sure. With Finzar, it's bound to be one hell of a ride.