Epilogue

EPILOGUE

S ix months later…

Vera traced her fingers delicately over the intricate carvings, concentrating on the feel of the lines. She'd discovered that following them with her hand often allowed her to pick out details that weren't easily visible in the weathered stone. Then she stepped back, surveying the expansive wall of hieroglyphs before her. They'd recently discovered a new chamber, with a completely different style of engraving.

"What do you think this section means, Lior?" she asked, turning to the girl beside her.

After a long discussion with Maeve, the Elder had agreed to let a few selected Elvar work with her in the Sacred Valley. Lior had immediately volunteered, and she discovered that the girl was as passionate about history as Vera.

Her iridescent wings fluttered as she leaned in closer, picking out a few of the symbols.

"A great upheaval, perhaps. A time when the sky rained fire and the earth trembled."

She nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. She jotted down notes in her worn journal, sketching quick diagrams of the symbols. The work was painstaking, but it set her heart alight with excitement. This was what she'd always dreamed of – uncovering the mysteries of the past, piecing together the story of an entire civilization.

As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the ruins, she reluctantly packed up her tools. She bid farewell to Lior and the other Elvar researchers, her mind still buzzing with theories and questions. They had set up a small encampment in the valley, but she was going home.

She had only made it a short distance out of the valley when she spotted Grabon's imposing figure waiting for her. His stern features softened as she approached, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He bent down and kissed her, a sweet, leisurely kiss that held the promise of more.

"Another productive day?" he asked, taking her satchel and falling into step beside her.

She immediately launched into an enthusiastic recount of her findings.

"We've uncovered evidence of a cataclysmic event in their past. It might explain why the Elvar developed such advanced technology so early in their history."

Grabon listened intently, his brow furrowed in concentration. Though the intricacies of historical research were foreign to him, he always showed genuine interest in her work. His questions were always intelligent and thoughtful and she loved being able to discuss her theories with him.

They reached their home just as the sun was sinking into the lavender sea, sending fiery golden ripples across the surface. The golden light bathed their home, softening the rocky walls and highlighting the flowers she'd planted in every available spot.

"I never thought we'd end up living here," she said gazing at the stronghold.

When he'd first suggested it, she'd immediately rejected the idea. He hadn't pushed it, but he'd given her several valid arguments about the importance of a neutral location, its strategic position, and its ability to provide accommodation for staff and visitors. In the end, the argument that had convinced her was the oddly wistful expression on his face when he said it reminded him of Dhalgroll.

To her surprise, it hadn't been as bad as she'd feared. Argon and his grew had done such a good job of removing all traces of the battles that little evidence of it remained other than some crumbling walls. With the help of the Elvar, they'd white-washed walls, added big windows to bring in light and air, and planted hundreds of flowering shrubs. They'd shipped the ornate furnishings back to the capital to be sold and used the proceeds to create a scholarship fund for Elvar children. They'd replaced it with the same graceful wooden furniture that the Elvar used, in a somewhat larger size.

Their rooms were on the furthest end of the promontory with expansive views out over the ocean and the constant susurrus of the waves outside the windows. She walked straight through their living area and out onto the balcony to catch the last glimpse of the sunset.

"It's so beautiful," she sighed as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Very beautiful," he agreed, nibbling on the exact place on her neck that always sent a wave of desire streaking through her.

He tugged on her braid, encouraging her to tilt her head and allow him better access, but she did her best to ignore the delicious sensation.

"I was thinking …"

"You're always thinking, my mate. It is one of the many things I love about you."

His hand slipped up from her waist to tug gently at her nipple and she gasped, arching into his grip for a second before she remembered what she wanted to talk to him.

"It's pretty difficult to think when you're doing that."

He had both hands on her breasts now and the thick length of his cock pressed against her ass.

"Perhaps that was my plan all along," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear.

He tweaked her nipples and she shivered.

"If you keep distracting me I will never tell you what I was going to say," she protested, although her body was already melting against his.

"Then please, proceed," he said magnanimously, releasing her breasts but slipping his hands back to her waist and holding her close.

She took a deep breath.

"I was talking to Maeve and I mentioned how much I miss teaching. She thought it would be a wonderful addition to the Elvar curriculum and I agreed. I don't know much about the Elvar culture so I would need someone to help me with it and -"

"I think you would be a marvelous teacher."

She twisted around to look at him and her mouth fell open. He was grinning broadly at her and she stared at him, stunned.

"You knew? How?"

He laughed, the sound rich with amusement.

"I know how you are when you're searching for answers. I figured it wouldn't be long before you'd be feeling restless. That was one of the reasons I thought you should teach at the new school.

She blinked at him.

"You knew all along?"

He laughed again and nipped at her lower lip.

"I had my suspicions. I am learning to read my mate."

"Are you?"

"Oh yes. Which is why I suspect that teaching will have to wait until next year."

She froze. She'd only just realized herself and she hadn't been sure how to tell him.

"A child," he said, his voice thick with satisfaction. "Our child."

"You know that too? How?"

"Because I know every single inch of you. I know that you are even more radiant than usual, and that your hunger for my touch has increased. I know that your perfect little breasts are growing swollen and sensitive. And, of course, your scent gives you away. It's the most intoxicating perfume."

She wrinkled her nose at him, although her insides were melting.

"My scent? Really?"

"Truly."

He spun her back around to look out over the ocean as his hand moved down to stroke her stomach and her breath hitched.

"I think it will be even more amazing soon," he continued, his voice low and seductive. "The sweetest and most intoxicating of all."

Her heart beat wildly, and she gripped the railing to steady herself.

"You think so?"

"I'm certain of it."

He slid her dress higher until the evening breeze whispered across her bare ass as he dipped his hand between her legs.

"Did I mention hotter and wetter?"

She struggled to think, to respond, her world narrowing to those thick, clever fingers.

"N-no."

Her body was already quivering on the verge of climax and she cried out when he pulled his fingers free, but then he lifted her higher and pulled her straight down on his cock. She threw her head back against his shoulder as he began to move inside her, hard and deep. Her senses were overwhelmed, his cock stretching and filling her, his fingers toying with her clit, the scent of his musk surrounding her, and the sight of the burning sunset before her.

Then her world exploded and she surrendered to ecstasy, only dimly aware of Grabon's own release.

He carried her inside and gently cleaned them both, then cradled her against his chest as she came back down to earth.

"I love you, Grabon," she whispered, her heart too full to say anything else.

"I love you too, my mate. My heart and my soul."

He tilted her head up for a tender kiss, and she sighed happily, savoring the warmth and love between them. She would treasure this moment of pure bliss, of belonging, forever.