Epilogue - Drake

Harvest is upon us.

My feelings for this time of year are a double-edged sword. I love it because our hard work pays off. It’s a sense of success that gives me extreme joy.

But then of course, the real work begins with making sure distribution is handled properly. It’s not my favorite thing.

This year, however, I have help.

About a week after Rhiannon’s death, I was called up to the clearing. The forces brought me up there; Mother did. To tell me something.

I had untapped potential before my eyes.

Lauris is our new CEO, if we believed in corporate titles, which we do not. But still, I have her now, and it’s been a huge help.

It was Rhiannon who came to me in my mind and told me to believe in someone else, the way I was going to believe in her. Lauris has so much knowledge, so much experience from her time as an Outsider. As it turns out, she’s been eager to take on more work around here. She’s loyal, trustworthy, and smart as all hell. The perfect person to take over business operations and the trade exporting. It’s wonderful.

And it means I can focus on production and creation. The shit I love.

The harvest festival is happening in only a week, and the entire Expanse is buzzing with excitement. The rest of Darian’s exes are still handling the planning and execution of the whole thing, Gem and Alissa, mainly. Emithel has been commissioned to start painting as a job, which she’s more than excited for. And Kiara is dating Perry. From what I understand, they’re smitten.

The divorce went through a few weeks back, and honestly, it’s been smooth sailing. They’re good girls. And really, bless them for taking some burden off of our shoulders, in their own ways.

My stress is understandable, what with overseeing the Tribe and the lab during our busiest season. But Darian’s stress comes from a place of protection for his family, so you can’t fault the guy. We had a blissful summer, and he’s convinced the forces at work up on the mountain will require further sacrifice for the harvest. He’s had a few dreams about it… And he’s been reading a lot.

Either way, it’s nothing we can’t figure out, as a collective. The three of us, along with the rest of the Regnum, are pretty amazingly equipped to run this place together. It just seems to work, and I love it.

When Rhiannon died, she took the future I thought I wanted with her, leaving me with the future I have. Even if I weren’t positive this is how Mother wants things, I would still feel it; crave it in my bones.

Abdiel, Darian, and myself together… We fit. It just works. I sort of always knew it would, but I was afraid before. It took the arrival of a sweet little stray to show me what I have.

That was the purpose, the whole time. To show us...

I will die to protect them, no matter what. And knowing I won’t be the only one sacrificing gives me more peace than I could have imagined.

We’re a threesome. My King and my little mouse.

I never thought monogamy was necessarily for me, so having two partners is perfect. When I need to get away, to be alone with my thoughts, Darian has Abdiel. And when I need my alone time with either of them, they support that. We make it work as well as we can, knowing it’ll never be perfect.

But the imperfections make me want it that much more. For the first time in twenty-five years, I’m done running.

Speaking of being settled, tonight is a big night. It’s the opening of the Expanse’s first ever restaurant.

Yes, you heard that right. We have an honest to Mother business opening here.

Of course, it’s only for us. But we made it, so it’s awesome. And it’s Abdiel’s, which makes it even more special.

He named it The White Snake; a little cafe-style place. Our construction team spent all summer building it, while Abdiel was working scrupulously on creating dishes and a killer menu, along with hiring a crew. It took a lot of his time and work, a lot of effort in trade to get him everything he needed, but it’s finally done, and the grand opening is tonight.

We’re all very excited.

It’ll be nice to have a chill evening, celebrating Abdiel. We’ve all been working so hard lately. I can’t wait to relax with a drink and some good food, prepared by our little chef.

Speaking of which, I hear him coming. My dick is already hard, remembering how we woke up this morning, with his cock in Darian and mine in him. I swear, there are no shortage of available scenarios in this setup. The opportunities are endless.

And very entertaining.

Abdiel saunters into my bedroom, smirking at me like the sexy little mouse he is. And then Darian swoops in behind him. They both stalk past me, falling onto my bed.

I moved out of my cabin weeks ago. I repurposed it and took up residence here in the Den with my men. We each have our own bedrooms for when we need space, but we typically use Darian’s as our master. Makes sense.

I give the two of them a curious look. “What’s going on here?”

Abdiel grins, lying back, peering at me upside down. “We have an idea.”

Darian wraps an arm around Abdiel’s waist. “For old time’s sake.”

“Listening,” I hum.

“Empyrean.”

Ah.

We haven’t used Empyrean in a while, since it was revealed that the telekinesis it brings doesn’t actually wear off.

I always knew that whole notion was a mental thing. Because I’ve had telekinetic abilities since the first time I used Empyrean, twenty years ago. But back then, it was just another way for me to keep Darian close. He convinced himself it wore off, and I didn’t argue. Because he needed me, and I liked that.

Little did I realize at the time, he always needed me, drugs or no drugs. He still does, and it’s a great feeling.

That said, the high from Empyrean is a whirlwind. It’s more intense, more powerful than any other we’ve experienced from anything I’ve synthesized with the trumpets, any DMT-like things I’ve created.

Empyrean is in a category all its own.

And they want some…

“I’m down.” I shrug. “But it’s in the lab. I’d have to go get it.”

“Way ahead of you.” Darian smirks, pulling a couple vials out of his pocket.

“You stole from me, my King?” I gasp teasingly. “How purely wicked of you.”

“You gonna punish me?” His tongue swipes his bottom lip, and my dick stirs again.

How I could possibly still be getting erections at this point is beyond me. Lately, it seems like I spend a majority of my days twisted up in some sexual position.

Not complaining. Not even a little.

Darian gives me the needles and vials and we do our thing, shooting up together and lying in the bed, giggling at all the crazy things we’re seeing.

“How’s this for solitude, your highness?” I mumble to Darian, taking his hand in mine and bringing it to my lips.

“More than I could ever ask for,” he whispers.

Something in his brain catches my attention. And I crawl on top of him.

“Okay, listen to this memory, little mouse,” I tell Abdiel.

And my mind flashes back…

It’s getting dark. The sun has set over the trees, and now the moon hangs above, giving us just enough glisten, especially reflected on the surface of the lake.

It’s a nice night. Summer warmth lingers in the breeze, though the harvest moon is coming.

My favorite time of year.

Wandering the shore of the lake, I see him off in the distance. It’s crazy how quickly my heart rate picks up.

Darian is sitting on the old log bench we’d made, over by the willow trees. I make sure to step slowly, though any time I’m moving toward him I want to run. But I force myself to play it cool, unaffected.

It’s all an act. I wonder if he can tell…

Taking a seat by his side, my eyes train toward his. He’s looking at his home. Or rather, what will be his home, in only a few short weeks. I’m amazed at how quickly the thing went up, considering its size and how elaborate it is.

I swear, we have some of the best carpenters in the world, right here. On our Expanse.

“I’m going to call it the Den,” he finally speaks, voice deep and dripping in contemplation.

He’s coming into his own with this leader thing. I’m not sure how it makes me feel…

My chin bobs. “Like for lions…?”

“Or for snakes.” His face curls toward mine, and he gives me a look. It’s one I’m quite familiar with at this point, and it sets a longing in my chest unlike any other harsh sensation.

He misses me.

I see his feelings in his eyes, that deep, beckoning cerulean, like the ocean I haven’t seen in more years than I can count. And my own emotions are radiating from me, like a pheromone.

It gives me a thought. Or an idea… Maybe not a great one, but I suppose we’ll find out.

“I made something,” I tell him. His brows quirk as he waits for me to continue. “Something… important.”

His blue irises sparkle. “Like what?”

Stuffing my hand into my pocket, I pull out a vial. I’ve been carrying it around with me lately, syringe included, waiting for another opportunity to use it. Or to give it to someone who needs it more…

“Its effects are similar to the trumpets… on the surface.” I take out a syringe and unpack it, sticking the needle into the vial and sucking up clear liquid. “But at its core is something much more potent, powerful. Lucid.”

Darian’s gaze is wide. “What are the effects?”

“Knowledge,” I whisper, lifting the syringe and squirting some out. “Capability… Truth.”

He worries his bottom lip for a moment, eyes bouncing between mine and the needle in my hand. Then he straightens and scoots closer. “Let me try it.”

Amusement dances on my face as I take his arm. I’m struggling to contain my excitement. Because deep within myself I know the entire reason I created Empyrean was for Darian… For us to get closer.

For him to know what I’m thinking, so I don’t have to fucking say it.

When my fingers wrap around his lower left bicep, just above the elbow, warmth seeps into me through his skin. I can’t help the heavy swallow I try to disguise as I hold the syringe’s plastic between my teeth and tap his veins with my fingers.

We haven’t been together in months…

And I fucking miss him, so badly it’s hard to even be near him right now.

Finding a vein I like, I take the syringe from my mouth and prepare. My eyes hold his, and his mine, the anticipation in his thoughts racing so loud, I can barely think. Blinking at him, I press the needle into his smooth flesh.

Seconds tick slower as I await the blood. And when it swirls, I plunge down and give him Empyrean. Every last drop.

Removing my tight grip from his arm, I drop the empty syringe on the forest floor and watch Darian’s eyes. In a single instant, they’ve gone from dark blue to a crystalline topaz.

Breath leaves my lungs in a gasp as his lashes flutter. That was insane…

“Wow…” he breathes, face tilting skyward. “This is amazing.”

He’s getting the initial effects, the psychedelics.

Now, let’s show him what we’ve got.

It is, isn’t it? I think to him with my mind.

“Yea,” he mumbles, completely ignoring me while his eyes dart all around, likely catching sight of things I can’t see. “It’s like I can see my thoughts.”

I bite my lip to contain my grin. Can you now?

He finally looks at me. And his mind says, Are serpents supposed to be beautiful like that?

I blink slowly. Serpent.

He’s never called me that before, but honestly… I really like it.

You’re beautiful too, I tell him, my lips unmoving.

Darian gapes at me. His eyes, the color of the sky, go round, and his mouth falls open.

But his next words come from his mind… Drake?

Darian, my thoughts mumble, mouth curved into a subtle smirk.

I can hear… “I can hear your thoughts…”

You don’t have to speak, brother. I can hear you just fine.

Oh my God, how is this happening? Now his eyes are bugging out. I have to chuckle, because it’s thoroughly amusing when he’s all flustered.

Adorable.

He shoves my chest with his hands, a smile taking over his lips. How is this possible?

It’s called Empyrean, I tell him, reaching forward to grasp his jaw. I hear everything bounding through his head, so loudly it threatens to make me cringe. But I love it.

Since the first time I used Empyrean, I’ve loved being inside Darian’s head. Sure, it’s not always pleasant, hearing what people think about you. Especially when a lot of it, coming from him, is pained. Damaged.

But it’s a closeness unlike anything I could have ever comprehended before Empyrean. I’ve come to crave it. Even the pain sounds good in Darian’s mind.

He inches closer to me, leaning into my touch and hovering his lips over my own. My pulse skyrockets in an instant.

I miss you.

His hand flies to the nape of my neck, fingers raking up into my hair. I fucking miss you so much.

Our mouths crash, hard, greedy lust exploding like sparks of color behind my eyes as he kisses me. Sucking my lower lip into his mouth, his thoughts are purring, desperate to get me as close as humanly possible.

What have you done, my sweet brother?

Gripping his face harder, my mouth advances on his, our tongues tangling while we drink each other in, bathing in the unleashed thoughts.

This is Empyrean, my mind whispers to him in between the frantic breaths, escaping us as we devour one another whole. The ultimate transformation.

“You’re a genius,” he murmurs real words on my lips. I’m amazed by the things you do…

Pushing him backward, I straddle his hips, grinding myself into him, shakily ripping at his clothes which stand in the way. I have zero chill right now, but I can’t find it in myself to care.

It occurs to me that I may have fucked up here. Having myself unleashed and unfettered at Darian’s mercy seemed like a great idea before, but now I’m growing nervous.

There are so many truths I keep from him…

So many of my own I can’t bear to let him hear.

And so I push them away and tell him I want him. With our minds, we come together, as with our bodies, humming wordless need until we’re naked, flushed and panting.

When I enter him, it’s the most spectacular sound, like music that plays inside my brain.

No matter what else happens, for the rest of my days, I just want this from him.

I need to always know that I’m his Serpent.

That no one sheds the layers of the King like I do.