Epilogue

Ella

I tugged at the veil tickling my face. Descaris leaned over to whisper in my ear.

"You can probably take it off now."

"I'm not sure when I'm meant to take it off."

"It's our wedding. We can do whatever we like."

I smiled at my husband. It felt strange, but I wanted to say it all the time. Husband. He was right. The ceremony was over and we'd eaten and had a few photographs taken. Now it was party time. I pulled the grips holding the veil in place and tossed it backwards.

A small shriek rang out that I knew was my sister trying to catch it before it hit the ground. I patted my hair to make sure it was still all in place.

"You look stunning."

The edge to Descaris' voice told me he meant it and was probably having to turn a certain appendage into shadow to avoid a noticeable bulge in his pants. He'd agreed surprisingly easily to wearing a suit for the day. I'd never seen him dressed in anything other than a robe until now. I wondered if I could get him into a suit more often. It highlighted his broad shoulders in a way that I enjoyed.

"Now, introducing, for their first dance, your bride and groom!"

We grinned at each other and walked into the large hall to cheers and whoops by our friends and family. When we reached the centre of the room, I nodded at the fire demon who'd agreed to be our DJ and he set the music going. It was a slow song and Descaris spun me around before pulling me close. I gazed into his eyes and let out a long, deep breath. He smiled.

"Relieved, my dear wife?"

"It has been a lot of planning, husband."

"But we made it."

"Yes we did. I couldn't be happier."

"Me either."

Other couples drifted onto the dance floor beside us. Serena and Orzesh were first up, surprising no one. They span around, lost in each other just as much as we were. Lyla pulled up a reluctant looking Falkon who seemed very concerned about making sure he didn't hit anyone with his tail. Heather and Vedrac eventually pulled Cerys and Cam on to the floor where the four of them shimmied around in a little group. A few shadow demons that Descaris knew made a beeline for the bridesmaids, including my sister. I tried not to think about the carnage they would all cause after a few more drinks.

My parents eventually braved the floor after a few more songs, and I watched them with a smile. It had taken a while for them to get used to Descaris. But they saw how happy and protected I was, and that was enough for them.

"How soon until I can whisk you off to consummate this marriage, wife?"

"I think we have to wait until the end of the night. Once the party is over."

He scowled and pulled me to the buffet as the song ended, and a new one began. He made a show of looking at the food and then glanced back at the dance floor. Serena and Orzesh were centre stage now, teaching everyone an orc dance, while Bloodletter whizzed around them, cheeping. A blink later and I found myself in our home, next to the bed.

"Descaris!"

"If we're quick, they'll never even notice!"

"When have you ever been quick?" I said with a giggle.

"I'll try it out now," he responded, pulling up my wedding dress.

"Don't you want me to take it off?"

"Absolutely not. I want to make love to my wife in her wedding dress, on our wedding day. Anyway, there are hundreds of buttons running down the back of this thing. We'd be here for hours."

He pushed me back on the bed and unbuckled his belt.

"Fine, but keep that suit jacket on."

"Your wish is my command."

My heart was as full as it could possibly be as my new husband kissed me and our lives together stretched out in front of us.

The End.

Thank you for reading! It means the world to me that you gave my story a chance and I hope you enjoyed it.

That's the end of the Fated Inmates series! Now you may have noticed that Delaney, the guard who caused all this, seems to have gotten away with it all. Don't worry, you can see him get what he deserves in Rescued by the Mothman . The first in the Monster Bounty Hunters series. It's available for pre-order now.

The crew at Appalachian Bounties specialise in those fugitives that are too difficult or dangerous for human bounty hunters to deal with. They are going to be busy after all those monsters have escaped from prison!

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