Epilogue

Four years later

“Catch me, Papa.” Athtren threw himself into the pool without the slightest doubt that Rast would catch him. Deb laughed as she watched her husband surge up out of the water and catch the boy, then take him squealing happily under the water for a quick dive. Rast was always mindful of Athtren’s limits but considering that their boy didn’t have a drop of Sheraen blood, he already swam like a fish and could stay underwater for a frighteningly long period of time. The pair surfaced, Athtren giggling, his little tuft of chestnut hair sticking straight up. He hadn’t changed much since he was born, his skin still pale blue, his eyes as dark as her own. He had developed rather sharp little white teeth and claws, but she privately thought they were absolutely adorable.

“Water, mama,” Nayani demanded, and Deb turned to smile down at her daughter. Despite Rast’s concerns about whether or not humans and Kaisarians could interbreed, she had been pregnant within a few months after she stopped nursing Athtren.

“Not today, munchkin.”

Nayani’s face crumpled and she let out a heartbreaking sob. At least, it would have been heartbreaking if Deb believed for one minute that it was genuine. Unfortunately, both Rast and Athtren were considerably more gullible and they appeared at her side immediately.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Rast crooned, as he dropped down on the blanket. Athtren inserted himself in between them and gave her a clumsy hug.

“Water, papa,” Nayani pleaded, big blue eyes wide. Other than the warm gold of her skin, she was the spitting image of her father.

“Well, maybe just—”

“No,” Deb said firmly. “We have the Guild Masters Banquet tonight and I want to spend some time alone with you first. We need to talk.”

Rast gave her a smouldering look which had her nipples tightening beneath her loose robe. She’d never quite lost the last bit of pregnancy weight, but the additional curves didn’t seem to bother him at all. He made sure she knew just how much he wanted her.

Nayani’s lower lip trembled, but Deb laughed and shook her head. “You know that doesn’t work on me, munchkin.” Her daughter looked at her consideringly but before she could decide if she wanted to pursue her outrage, Deb spied a figure coming down the steps and gave a sigh of relief. “And here’s T’lik. She’s going to give you two your bath and, if you’re good, you can watch the new vids Uncle Athtar sent of Precious.”

“Yay!” Athtren jumped up and helped Nayani to her still rather uncertain feet so she could toddle off with him to meet T’lik.

“I’m so glad T’lik agreed to stay and work for us once you freed her,” she said, watching the children greet their nurse enthusiastically. All of the slaves that had been present when the Derians came had been freed. She had urged Rast to banish slavery all together, but after extensive discussion and some unsuccessful experiments, he had taken a different approach. The Sheraens continued to purchase slaves and offer them a chance to work off their debt, although the period had been standardized to one year. The transition period helped the slaves transition to a new life as free individuals.

“Yes, your assimilation strategy is working out very well,” Rast teased, interrupting her thoughts.

“Don’t call it that.”

Rast laughed and she pushed his shoulder in mock annoyance. Concerned that Athtren would feel uncomfortable about the fact that he wasn’t Sheraen, she had made sure that he, and later, Nayani, were around a variety of different species. Rast already took their son with him as he went about his duties, making sure that their people would be familiar with their future king from a very young age. So far, it seemed to be working. Athtren had never even questioned why he didn’t look like his father, although she was sure it would come up in the future.

“You wanted to talk to me, sweetheart?” But then he kissed her, and her thoughts scattered. As always, he tasted amazing and she gave in to the pleasure of his mouth on hers. He pulled her into his lap, and she could feel the hard ridge of his cock beneath her hip. Her pussy ached, and she knew she was getting wet, but she forced herself to concentrate and broke the kiss.

“Talk, remember?”

“Mm.” He lowered his head to nibble on the spot on her neck that always made her toes curl and her thoughts started to scatter again. But then he slipped his hand into her loose top and cupped her breast, squeezing lightly. She winced, and he stopped immediately. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“Not wrong, but…”

“But what? You’re not injured, are you? Should I call Dr. Mako?”

“No, I’m fine. Now stop panicking.” She took a deep breath. “Remember how you were worried that we wouldn’t be able to have any more children?”

“Yes.” Now that he knew she was okay, he relaxed and gave her that devilish smile that still made her heart skip a beat. “But then you gave me my beautiful little Nayani. You’ve made me happier than I thought possible.”

“You once said that you’d like to have a big family.” God, why was this so hard to get out?

“I would have liked that, yes. But we already have a perfect family.”

“It’s about to get a little more perfect.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m pregnant again.”

For a second, he looked shocked, then a broad smile spread over his face. “Really?”

“Dr. Mako confirmed it this morning. It seems that humans and Kaisarians breed a little too well.”

“Too well? Aren’t you happy?”

“Of course, I am,” she sniffed, the pregnancy hormones already kicking in. “It’s just that I’m going to get all big again and I’m afraid you won’t want me anymore.”

“Sweetheart, if you remember, you were pregnant when I met you. When I fell in love with you. Your body is always sexy, but never more so than when you’re ripe with child. When these luscious breasts get all swollen with milk.” He caressed her breast very, very gently, rubbing just the edge of his thumb across her nipple, the exquisite sensation causing her to arch into his hand.

He untied her robe, then kissed his way down her stomach, leaving a trail of awakened nerves. By the time he reached her mound she was already reaching for his horns, but he paused and looked up at her.

“Did you know that your sweet little cunt is even sweeter when you’re pregnant?” He spread her legs and slipped his tongue between her folds, lapping delicately the way he knew she loved. After four years he knew every spot on her body which turned her on.

“Mm. Rast,” she protested weakly, even as she arched against his mouth. “The Banquet…”

“So, we’ll be late. Do you think anyone is going to complain?”

“But it’s so rude—Oh, God, right there.” All thoughts of the Banquet disappeared as she reached for his horns, feeling his pleasured groan vibrate against her clit. He slid one finger, then two inside her, setting up a demanding rhythm in contrast to the delicate lashes of his tongue on her swollen nub. She cupped her own breasts, her nipples tight and aching. She pinched lightly, the slight hint of pain arousing rather than frightening, increasing the pressure as her body started to tense in anticipation. Rast read the signs with his usual expertise, scissoring his fingers and sucking gently on her clit as she clamped down on her nipples and let the sensation push her over, her body convulsing against him and she cried out his name.

Rast looked down at the woman trembling in his arms, overwhelmed with love and gratitude.

“Thank you, Deb.”

“I think I’m the one who should be saying that,” she laughed, then grew serious when she saw his face. She put a gentle hand on his cheek. “Why are you thanking me?”

“Because you have given me the one thing I always wanted. The one thing I never had—a family.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled at him. “And you gave me a new one. I love you, my king.”

“I love you, my queen.” He lowered his head to kiss her, the waves lapping against the rocks, the sun shining down on them, and let joy sweep him away.