41. He’d Chosen Well

CHAPTER 41

He'd Chosen Well

T hree months later

Snow fell leisurely from the midnight, star-speckled sky, dancing towards the ground. Ryker inhaled deeply, the crisp air infiltrating his lungs. The Northern Region was always cold, but it was even more frigid than normal after the winter they'd just had.

It didn't bother him at all. No amount of cold could chase the warmth that had taken up residency in his heart since the Reunion.

Ryker hadn't known that happiness could be so consuming or that it could completely alter every aspect of one's life. Everything he did was made easier with Brynleigh by his side. She made him a better man; each day was better than the last.

"It's beautiful," she murmured from beside him.

Marlowe barked as if emphasizing her point. The dog sat patiently at Ryker's feet, waiting to be allowed to run around.

The fae wiggled his fingers in his gloves, the cold permeating every layer he wore. It was true that the Northern Region was especially stunning in the winter, not that there were many seasonal differences this far north.

In the land once known as Eleyta, winter reigned ten months out of the year. Snow-capped mountains speared the skies. Evergreen trees wearing white coats rose all around them. The Black Sea was in front of them, stretching as far as the eye could see. A massive hunting lodge was at their backs, and the vacation rental was exactly as pictured.

It was perfect.

Ryker looked to his left. Brynleigh was staring at the mountains, and Ryker unabashedly studied his beautiful wife. Her cheeks were tinged in pink, and golden tendrils escaped her braid. A black scarf and mittens only added to her vampiric beauty, accentuating her pale skin and goddess-touched features. Cast in the moon's silver light, she had an ethereal air that drew him to her.

"You are," he murmured.

He still couldn't believe she was his. From the first moment he'd seen her in the infirmary, he'd known they were meant to be.

It took a second for his words to settle, but he saw the moment they did because a shy smile spread across Brynleigh's face as she looked up at him.

"You're not so bad yourself, Captain."

Chuckling, he kissed her. He'd never get enough of this. Of her.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

She beamed. "More than I ever thought possible."

"Me too." Ryker wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest. If someone had told him this would be where they ended up in those horrible days after their wedding, he never would've believed them.

And yet, they were on their second-chance honeymoon, waiting for their friends, and ready for whatever life would throw at them next. Even Tertia seemed to be slowly softening towards Brynleigh after the vampire had saved her son's life. Cyrus was healing, and River had finished Maturing a month ago.

Ryker tightened his grip around his wife.

They were together, and life was good.

Several minutes passed in companionable silence before a dark shadow covered the moon.

"Oh, I see them!" Brynleigh grinned, practically vibrating with excitement.

A streak of fire lit up the sky, and then, the shadow descended. It grew larger until a black dragon landed on the ice several dozen feet away from them.

A small, winged form slipped off the dragon's back, and then, Brynleigh ripped herself out of Ryker's grasp. The fae captain watched with amusement, petting Marlowe's head, as his wife darted across the ice with vampiric speed and hugged Hallie.

White flashed. Therian shifted and dressed, and then the group of four made their way inside.

Laughter filled the air, and hours passed with pleasant chatter. They'd grown closer than ever since the night of the Reunion, and Ryker was pleased to call Therian Firebreath a good friend. Violet flames danced in the hearth, Marlowe slept at their feet, and warmth filled Ryker's soul.

His heart was no longer aching, no longer broken. It had been made whole once again, repaired by the beautiful woman at his side. He wouldn't have it any other way.

That night, after staying up far too late, Ryker and Brynleigh made their way to the primary bedroom overlooking the obsidian ice. His heart was full as he stretched out on the enormous fur-covered bed, naked and entangled with his vampire, and showed her exactly how much he loved her.

Thank the Blessed Obsidian Sands, he'd Chosen well.