Epilogue

 

 

 

“Once again, as we have eternally, we vow loyalty and allegiance to you, Gaia, and your consort, Jagar Anereroth. We will flourish under your gentle rule, serving you and…”

Sparrow only heard bits and pieces of the speech. Chloe stood in front of a glass and golden throne, a delicate filigree crown on her head and flowing robes decorated in white, purple, and gold. Her eyes were the blue of the perfect sky above them. Thousands of spirits and animals gathered around to witness her official coronation as the new Gaia, taking her rightful place in her palace, with Sparrow by her side.

After they’d killed Norman together, Sparrow thought it was time to leave the Twilight, at least for a while. Chloe had been reluctant, but once she realized they could go back anytime they wanted, she was willing. Her palace and its grounds were even more beautiful than his home, and far more befitting a goddess than his simple cottage. But she’d loved it there and made it clear they would go there often.

Sparrow was dressed in palace finery, a silk tunic and tights beneath it, white edged with gold, and a small crown sat atop his hair. Several bluebirds swooped down behind Chloe to lift the train of her robe as she reached out to take Sparrow’s hand to descend the steps of her throne as the crowd cheered and applauded her crowning and their joining made official.

Pride swelled in Sparrow’s chest to watch her take to her new role with patience and kindness, greeting those who wanted to speak to or touch their new goddess. She did so well, even though she’d admitted to him she felt like a fraud in many ways still. Her powers were real enough, but it felt like it belonged to someone else and she was only borrowing it.

He promised her that would come in time, and it would. Until then, she acted as if she were royalty for their sake, and that would be enough.

The feast that had been prepared in the courtyard to honor her and feed the guests was enormous. Sparrow sat by Chloe’s side and ate heartily, thrilled when she offered him a piece of orange from her fingers, like the orange he’d first peeled for her when she was on her way home from the motel. It seemed they’d come full circle.

Chloe had healed quickly from her battle with Norman, her skin perfectly whole and healthy by the time she’d cried herself out in Sparrow’s arms. She’d accepted her destiny, embraced it, and now their lives together could begin.

Sparrow looked forward to a lifetime of making her happy. To think he’d only joined the palace guard to get revenge against a father he rarely ever spared a thought for these days. Such nonsense.

But it had led him to her side. That was all that mattered now.

Chloe’s hand found his where it rested on top of his thigh beneath the long table. She squeezed and leaned toward him to whisper in his ear. “I think my power needs…recharge.”

Sparrow bit back his laugh. “Do you now,” he said noncommittally. “Perhaps you need more fruit?” He cocked his eyebrow and tried not to smile.

“I need you to fuck me,” Chloe breathed in his ear, then leaned back with a smirk.

She knew that took this from light teasing to total seriousness for Sparrow. He couldn’t hear his lover say such a thing without needing to be alone with her instantly.

“Excuse us,” Chloe said to the guests seated closest to them. “We have some business to discuss.”

In an instant, with the slight whoosh of displaced air, they stood next to the bed in their royal chambers. Chloe’s hands slid around his waist, down to squeeze his ass and pull him against her. Sparrow was already hard, his insides already trembling in need for his goddess.

“That was quite an exit,” he said. “Had you taken much longer, a dozen guests might have been gossiping about your consort’s erection tomorrow.”

“They might still be,” she said with a laugh as she nipped at the side of his throat. “You are quite impressive, after all.”

Sparrow’s face heated as both of them pushed her robes up and over her head. He cradled her full, heavy breasts in his hands and leaned down to suck one pointed nipple into his mouth. She arched against him, and he felt her hand push cloth down over his hips until he was bare. Her fist wrapped around his cock.

“Tell me again, Sparrow. Tell me what can happen.”

God, how he ached for her. Chloe’s enthusiasm only made her more desirable. And since he’d told her that they couldn’t have children—not what she thought of as children, at least—but that she was fertile and that they could create once she took to her throne, her excitement at the idea had kept him on the constant edge of arousal. Her delight was contagious, and Sparrow found himself eager to test the theories, too.

“Your pleasure, my fertile goddess, can birth flowers, trees, planets, stars…even an entire universe.”

She groaned as he sucked her other nipple hard as if seeking nourishment from her lush body. His tunic was pushed up and tossed aside, and Chloe jumped to wrap her legs around his hips, the heat of her sex pressed against the underside of his cock, drawing him in.

“So wanton,” he said with a chuckle. As much as he wanted to drive himself up and into her, Sparrow stepped forward and lay her onto her back on the bed, falling down with her and laying between her spread legs.

“My goddess,” he breathed as he kissed her, twinning his tongue with hers, and putting every ounce of love and devotion he felt for her into it. “I love you, Chloe. My Gaia. For as long as I live.”

Every part of Sparrow agreed. His heart, his soul, the demon inside him, and the fox. They rolled in lightning and happiness as he slipped his fingers into her rich heat and devoured her mouth.