Epilogue

Rett

One month later

 

It was the last weekend of the summer, a time that should have been idle and lazy.

Instead, Laia was rushing around, trying to get ready and find the earrings that my mother had given her for today. I could hear her rifling through the drawers as I entered the room. Her face had that incredulous look you got when you were looking for something that wasn’t where you left it.

“I’m starting to believe in gremlins that steal jewelry,” she muttered.

I cleared my throat, and she whipped around.

Holding up the earrings, I watched the relief that stole over her beautiful face.

“I love you,” she said, and I grinned as I walked over. “Where were they?" Laia asked as she pulled my face down for a grateful kiss.

“Downstairs on the kitchen counter,” I said.

“Oh my God, that’s right, because I brought them down there to show the girls,” Laia said. The girls had had their bachelorette party for Reagan over here the other night, and things had gotten wild by all accounts, although apparently Laia had been the sober party captain. “It wasn’t gremlins—it was me being silly. Good thing they didn’t get thrown out.”

I smiled. “You need to relax.”

“We’re running late for Luke and Reagan’s wedding,” Laia said. “One we’re both in.” Going over to the mirror, I watched as Laia surveyed the light gold dress she was wearing and ran her fingers over the purposefully-messy French side braid that Corinna had done that morning. “We should be there right now.”

“We have over an hour,” I said, unable to resist coming up behind her. “Have I told you how beautiful you are, Laia Llary?”

“No, I don’t think so,” she said, sticking her tongue out at me. I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Oh, yes, this would have to be the twentieth time today that you’ve said as much.”

“My cousin did a hell of a job with your dress,” I murmured. “If she wouldn’t make a face, I’d thank her.”

“Corinna’s too cool for your compliments,” Laia said and poked my arms. “We have to go.”

I pressed a kiss to her neck. “Do we, though?”

“This is my first big celebration in Winfyre,” Laia said, and I pretended to grumble, but let her go. “I’m excited. Plus, it was nice to have something to look forward to.”

“Tristan will be fine,” I said.

She nodded and smiled up at me. “I know. But this is the last time all of us will be together—Llarys, Deacons, Graces, and Commands—probably until this winter.”

Tomorrow, Tristan, Fallon, and Kal were setting off on separate missions. The trip to the borderlands had been scrapped, as shifter scouts had reported back that the Bloodfang base in the Rust Mountains had been abandoned. The three of them were going to try to figure out where Orion had gone.

Meanwhile, we would still have work to do in Winfyre, protecting our home and our own.

“Maybe I don’t want to rush this day,” I said.

Laia rolled her eyes and picked up the mascara, reapplying it. “You just want me to yourself, Bear.”

I grinned. “Can you blame me?”

Laia checked herself over one last time and then flew to the door, rushing downstairs. I followed at a more leisurely pace, amused at her frantic rushing. “Come on!” she yelled. “I want to see these dance moves you keep talking about.”

Outside, we ran into Fallon and Kal, who’d taken a shortcut and were waiting for us. My sister was dressed in the same gold dress Laia was, while Kal was dressed similarly to me. Crisp white shirt, nice pants, and loafers. Beach wedding attire.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen any Deacons without boots,” Laia announced, and Fallon laughed. “Well, except Rett.”

“You took your time,” Kal said.

“We’re here now—let’s go,” I said.

Walking down to a lovely beach a mile or so south of Cobalt, I had to admit it was a picturesque scene for a wedding. There was an old stone lighthouse at one end, and a veranda at the other. People were already gathering underneath it, chatting and laughing. I saw Cassidy rush by, with Niles following, and the three kids rushed around, looking important. They waved to us, and we waved back.

Tristan found us almost immediately and frowned. “Xander’s not with you?”

“No,” Kal said. “Should he be?”

Tristan shrugged, and Fallon gave him a look. “What the hell is going on?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Tristan said breezily, and now we all gave him a look. He heaved a sigh and said in an undertone, “Listen, don’t say anything to Luke or the blushing bride, but Xander received word from a scout, and I haven’t seen him since.”

“Word about what?” I asked.

“He didn’t care to share,” Tristan said delicately.

Kal snorted. “Then I’m not going to worry. Where’s the bar?”

I couldn’t be quite as unruffled as Kal, and neither could Laia. I squeezed her hand and then went over to a wolf shifter, pulling her aside. In an undertone, I asked her if she could go check and see where Xander had gotten off to. She nodded and shot off towards Cobalt.

“Stop looking so worried,” Fallon chided, shoving a glass of wine at Laia, who shook her head. “You don’t want to worry Reagan.”

“I know, I know,” Laia said. “And sorry, upset stomach. No booze for me.”

My sister raised an eyebrow, and I hastened off to get something with ginger in it.

Afterward, Laia and Fallon were ushered over to where the other bridesmaids were gathered, while we groomsmen went to go check on Luke. He was pacing around, impatient for the ceremony to begin.

But it seemed like I blinked, and suddenly I was walking with Laia down the aisle.

As we took our places, a young girl plucked notes from a violin, and Reagan appeared. Everyone stood, and I snuck a glance at Luke. His messy, dirty-blond hair was neat today, and his beard was freshly trimmed. The wolf shifter had a soft, awed smile on his face, his gray-green eyes alight with joy as Reagan came up the aisle. I understood.

Beyond him, I saw Xander, and a sense of relief went through me. The Head Command had a polite smile on his face and seemed otherwise calm. I hoped Tristan had been worrying for nothing.

Reagan appeared calm, except for the bright light in her eyes and the high flush on her cheeks, a wreath of roses on her head. With her height and dark hair, she looked like a goddess.

I would be forever grateful to Reagan. She’d sat up with Laia all night after Jasper's funeral. We Commands had been called away that night, to my horror. But Reagan had volunteered to stay. Over the course of that long night, those two had become lifelong friends. She’d told Laia of her journey to Winfyre, falling in love with Luke, and her abilities as a Kinetic. In turn, Laia had told her about the Bloodfang and falling hard for me.

Laia said it was nice to have a friend like her, someone who just understood.

After the ceremony, when Luke and Reagan were pronounced mates for life, there were cheers, howls, and fireworks. Music poured from the pavilion. Before I could even blink, Laia had swept me off after the bride and groom, joining them for their first dance.

The rest of the evening was a blur of drinks, toasts, and dancing. We Commands swapped stories and set each other laughing, worries set aside for once. Luke and Reagan were so happy, I couldn’t help but think of a future day when Winfyre might come together for Laia and me. I looked up and caught her eye. From that look, I knew she was thinking the same thing.

When I swept Laia out onto the dance floor, however, she pretended not to be overflowing with emotion and asked, “Hey, is everything all right with Xander? Was my cousin right to worry?”

“Everything is fine,” I said. “Xander just received new information, and Tristan is going to follow it up.”

“Rett,” Laia warned.

I gave her a quick kiss, and she dropped it. As I swung her around, the summer night threaded with the cool promise of fall, I did, too. That worry would keep for another day.

Looking around, I saw family, friends, and a future.

“I know what you were thinking about earlier,” I whispered in her ear.

“Good,” she said. “Let’s start planning ours tomorrow, before the baby comes, and…”

A jolt went through me, and I stopped, gripping her arms.

“What?” I asked.

Laia’s eyes went wide, and she grabbed my arms, trying to get me to keep dancing. I wouldn’t budge. People were casting us curious looks, and Laia shook her head, trying to pull me away. But I had to make sure I’d heard what I thought I’d heard.

“What did you just say?” I demanded. “Laia?”

“I found out the other night, and I wanted to do this whole big thing—damn my big mouth,” Laia said, and her eyes teared up, even as she smiled. “Come on, let’s go talk over there.”

“You are?” I asked intensely, holding her face and keeping Laia in front of me.

She nodded. My entire body seemed to light up with joy.

“I know it’s so soon. Wait, Rett, don’t make a scene!” Laia hissed. “This is your friend’s wedding!”

“Don’t make a—” I lifted Laia up off the dance floor and spun in a circle, letting out whoops. Laia laughed, loud and unrestrained, as dazzling fireworks exploded overhead.

“A mini firecracker,” I said and kissed her stomach. “This is too good to be true.”

“No such thing with you, big guy,” Laia teased, and I spun her around again.

~~~