Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Months later on Cadi

Naomi

As Naomi walked hand in hand with Faktil, she admired the dark-gray stone buildings against the purple sky. It created quite a striking picture and a vast change from the island landscape she'd lived with for so long. The three and four-story buildings lined both sides of the cobblestone street, reminiscent of the connected row houses found in New York. Bodan wasn't nearly as big as New York City, though they were in a more populated section. Nearly every unit had a business on the first floor, with the family that ran it living in the stories above. It was wild seeing people riding creatures that looked like zebras and tigers had babies. Dozens of the manxs filled the street. The sight almost made the hovering cars zipping over their heads seem normal.

Are we going the right way? she silently asked Bandit. The Dremin was riding in her oversized purse, one tentacle wrapped around her wrist so they could subtly communicate without Faktil knowing.

On Cadi, the Dremin didn't need to hide. The people here were used to aliens, unlike her home world. When they spotted her, they smiled, and were generally congenial. Both of Faktil's sisters had been so wonderful, instantly accepting her into their clan. The issue was that Ciara's toddler, Faktil's nephew, was so enamored with Bandit it had resulted in a few fits. Since Ucho was currently skipping behind them it was better to be evasive than cause a scene.

Yes, Bandit replied. The tavern is at the next intersection.

She felt giddy and nervous about what she and Bandit were conspiring.

Thank you for doing this. I know you and Faktil had a rocky start. She rubbed the tip of Bandit's tentacle that rested in her palm. Bandit was more like her child than a pet, now that she understood more about the Dremin.

I have grown to appreciate the Bad Pig, Bandit teased.

She grinned at the rotten comment.

Faktil glanced at her, smiled, and squeezed her hand.

"You flew very well today. Next time we'll practice landing." He lifted her hand and kissed it.

She grinned, loving the easy way her husband dished out praise. Her smile then faded as she looked behind them. Asbjorn, Faktil's older sister, had been quiet since their visit to Kinsha. She couldn't blame the Cadi woman. Seeing the burnt ruins of the town and their childhood home had been hard for her, too, and she'd only heard the horrific tale.

"She'll be all right." Faktil smiled at her.

"How about you?" Naomi leaned against him.

"I am." He nodded.

Faktil didn't show it, but she knew he still carried a lot of guilt about not being able to protect his whole family that terrible day when he was a teen. She felt guilty for reopening old wounds, since she was the reason they were doing this family trip.

"Is that the tavern?" Ciara pointed up ahead.

Yes, Bandit said, since she couldn't read the Cadi language yet. Although she did recognize the picture on the sign.

"Yes." Naomi nodded.

"It looks quaint." Ciara smiled, swinging Ucho between her and her mate, Taka.

"And a pleasant walk from our inn," Taka added.

"It is. I recall visiting here when we were young, but I don't remember the parks lining the streets," Faktil agreed with the Cadi man.

"It's impressive what we've been able to accomplish since the war," Asbjorn spoke up from the rear. "And a shame we didn't do it sooner."

Asbjorn's husband pulled her close with his tail and leaned his head against hers, which seemed to be the Cadi version of a kiss.

"How did you find this place?" Ciara asked as they reached the tavern.

"Bandit actually found it."

"Bandit!" Ucho declared upon hearing the name.

"After last meal we'll ask if Bandit wants to play," Ciara said patiently.

"Poor Dremin is going to lose a tentacle," Taka muttered.

They regenerate, Bandit laughed, though only she could hear it.

You're a sweetheart. Thank you for playing with the little boy , she silently conveyed.

"Welcome. Would you like to sit outside or inside this evening?" the Cadi man greeted them .

Naomi quickly surveyed the patio tables but didn't see what she was looking for.

"Can we go inside? I'm a little chilly," she fibbed.

"Of course. This way." The host led them inside. "We've not hosted a human yet. Do you know Marita Giselle?" the Cadi man asked while getting them seated.

She got that question a lot. The population of humans on Cadi was small and people always wanted to know if she knew the leader's mate. When she and Faktil first came home she actually had met most of the humans. They tried to get together monthly for fun and sometimes business, though she'd only been able to go to one of the events so far.

"I have met her. She is nice." Naomi smiled.

"Wonderful. Thank you for joining us this evening and I hope you enjoy your meal." The man bowed.

"Thank you," Faktil said as the host left, while helping her get seated.

"Mahalo." She smiled at her sweet man then panned the restaurant.

The interior was painted a buttery yellow with green wooden tables and saffron upholstered chairs. In the kitchen at the back there was a trio of open fires for cooking. The delicious smells were wafting their way, though she was too anxious to be hungry.

Ciara looked at Taka as they sat Ucho between them. "Did we decide who gets to drink this evening?"

"Ha," Taka chuckled. "You go ahead."

"Ohh, yes." Ciara's tail thumped the floor.

Naomi grinned at her sister-in-law then turned to tell Faktil that she loved his goofy family. There was a stunned expression on his face and she had a feeling she knew why. She followed his gaze to the woman who looked like Asbjorn, but with graying hair and scars on each cheek. The woman's eyes widened, the water pitcher faltering in her hands. Faktil was out of his seat and caught the pitcher before it could fall, his other arm steadying the woman.

He knows. Naomi bit her lip, watching Faktil's throat bob as he swallowed several times. The Cadi couldn't cry but she was about to.

"Faktil!" The woman, his mother, cupped his cheek.

Still unable to speak, her sweet, beautiful husband simply nodded. Naomi covered her mouth, the tears spilling from her eyes.

"Mother!" Asbjorn screamed, racing toward the pair.

Asbjorn was quickly followed by Ciara who was making a squealing sound and flapping her hands.

"Asbjorn, Ciara!" their mother, Isae, declared.

Confusion, shock and a million other emotions crossed their faces. Missing her own family, Naomi felt what they were feeling and was so damn proud to witness this moment happening to people she loved. When Faktil hugged his sisters and mother in a giant suffocating hug, Naomi sobbed harder.

Why do I also feel sad? I thought I would only feel happy, Bandit silently asked.

I think it's because we're reminded of the very sad things that happened to make this moment so happy. Thank you for finding their mother, Bandit.

We help and care for each other. Bandit rubbed her arm.

We certainly do. She nodded and wiped away more of her tears.

"Mother, meet my bonded, Naomi." Faktil pulled her into his arms as he introduced her.

"It is a joy to meet you." Isae clasped her shoulders then put her forehead to hers. "I've been looking for my young for so long. "

Naomi knew Isae's story, thanks to Bandit's ability to scour the Cadi version of the internet. Faktil's mother was with the abusive enemy for almost a year before she was rescued by kinder people among the Scelus Cadi. Sadly, though, she wasn't able to look for her lost children until the war was over. Then she moved to Bodan, since it was closest to their former home. But of course, Faktil and his sisters were no longer anywhere near here.

With a smile, she watched as Faktil quickly introduced Isae to Bandit, before Ciara and Asbjorn started introducing their families. She looked up at Faktil to find him staring intently at her.

"So…" He tugged her closer and cupped her cheek so she couldn't look away.

The way he swallowed hard as he pointedly looked from her to Bandit, she knew what he wanted to know.

"I love you." She nodded, confirming his suspicion.

"Thank you." Faktil's face contorted and he trembled from the overwhelming emotions he was experiencing. "You're next," he promised, and she understood he was referring to finding her family. "I love you, Blossom."

She leaned in and closed her eyes as she kissed her wonderful warrior husband.

Maybe we'll get out the tail later, his voice echoed in her mind.

Naomi's eyes flew open, then she giggled. You know I can hear your thoughts. This happened anytime Bandit was touching them both.

Mmm hmm.

Faktil continued kissing her and she was treated to a host of other beautiful and rowdy thoughts, all of them making her feel loved.

The End