Epilogue
Four months later
"The incubus stood there, face-to-face with a night stalker more powerful than the brave man could ever be. But he showed no fear, wavered not at all, and the battle raged on like he had the power of ten men," Dice says with theatrical drama, speaking with a group of children just outside the fey orphanage, and doing all he can to exaggerate his less-than-gallant feat.
"One night stalker," Zee chimes in while holding up a finger for emphasis. He earns a glare from the incubus.
"Unbelievable," Thad says, shaking his head as he comes to stand beside me.
He sips his drink for a second and then hands it to me. It's still an adjustment to need to drink blood, but it's starting to become—easier—sort of.
The children are huddled around the storyteller, all of them sitting on the lush grass. I sip idly and glance over toward Dice as he exaggerates every detail of his one win during the epic battle.
"Does he ever shut up about that fight?" Kane asks as he comes to wrap his arms around me.
Thad chuckles as he shakes his head. It's still surreal to see him alive. I often just throw my arms around him because I need to know he's real.
"You're looking at me all funny again," Thad mumbles as he swipes his glass back from me.
I smile as I snuggle back against Kane.
"Sorry. It's still—you'd think I'd be used to it by now."
He leans down and kisses my head before walking over to Mom and Drackus. They're playing with our new daughter as she talks about her day at school. Kane rubs my flat belly that hides a secret, and then he kisses my cheek, smiling like he'll never stop.
"I’m going to get huge," I murmur, making his smile grow.
"You’ll be adorable."
I laugh while leaning into him more, sighing in contentment. "It would have been nice to know that when your creature god took over it would reverse the bitten fey venom. We just got Kimber. Two little ones are going to be rough—especially if he or she is like us. But Freya had two witches, so there's that hope."
"Freya mated with a warlock. She was able to carry a child with any fey, except the bitten. You and I are the same, so we'll more than likely have a child just like us—the first of its kind."
"It's a she," Kimber sings from afar, apparently learning to hone her hearing.
I feel my tear fall before I even realize I've shed it. And Kane almost squeezes me too tightly.
"Oh dear God," Zee murmurs while shaking his head.
"What?" Kane asks, still grinning like a giddy fool.
"You having a girl is what. That poor girl won't be able to date until she's aged a few centuries."
I chuckle as Kane frowns and thinks too far ahead. "I think a century is sufficient, without it being too much," he says seriously, still not looking too pleased.
"She'll have succubus in her. She'll never make it that long," Dice mutters absently—stupidly.
When he's tossed across the yard by an invisible force, he realizes what he said.
"Shit," he gripes in a winded gush as he thuds against the ground, landing hard against a tree trunk.
"Children are out here," Mom scolds, making the incubus curse under his breath again.
"Yeah—this is going to be bad," Zee says, chuckling.
Kane rolls his eyes, and then leans down to my ear. "Any names, Mrs. Ice?" he asks, grinning.
A devious grin spreads over my face as a chance to taunt him falls into my lap. "How about Vanilla?"
Everyone bursts out laughing, and Kane snickers softly while dropping his head back. The children start playing with Kimber, and I smile as her soft laughter fills the air. We've been staying here almost regularly. It's good for her to socialize with children like her—lost souls with scars deeper than the eyes can see.
Thad walks back over to us, skipping happily, and bearing his shit-eating grin.
"I've got to go. I have a date."
"With who?" Kane asks.
Thad smirks before casting a glance at me, telling me so much with that mischievous glow he proudly exudes. He can't be serious.
"My cousin?" I shriek, disbelief oozing out.
Thad's devilish grin grows as he nods.
"Thad, are you crazy? She's—"
"Good enough that your creature goddess let her live. Bad enough to keep me interested."
Oh damn.
He walks away, laughing at my dropped jaw.
Gage appears in front of him suddenly, and Kane's grip on my side tightens. The dark user walks over to me, eyeing Kane like he's still the enemy, even though he's no longer under the effects of the spell. After a silent pissing match, he turns and looks toward me.
His smile curves up as he says, "Ready to break out your badass? We could use some help."
The stirring inside me is undeniably delicious, and the strands of my hair whip in the wind I've created, giving me a view of the darkening shade. His grin grows as he watches my devilish side ignite with excitement.
Dark and light have blended to gray in my eyes. The world has shifted, and now I see it for how it really is. I once hated being a part of a life full of deadly beauties. But it's not so bad—when you're the deadliest.
The End.