Epilogue

Chrysi followed Nevis along the mountain trail, the others members of their party not far behind. The sun was warm on their backs, but not too hot; it was too early in the morning, and too early in the year, for the sun to carry any real heat. Excitement bubbled up inside her, Nevis had assured them this was one of the best times of year to see Cloud Valley.

“How do you feel?” Nevis asked, attentive as always. OK, maybe more attentive now that she was carrying his child.

“Good.” She paused and took a deep breath of the cool mountain air. “It’s beautiful up here.”

“I agree,” Lex said, stopping by her side.

“How are you doing, Dad?” Nevis asked. It had been months since his surgery, and they had all been nervous about him accompanying them on the hike to Cloud Valley, but he had insisted he was ready and his doctor had given him the all clear.

“Rejuvenated.” Lex grinned. “You know, I almost wish I’d turned my back on big business and spent a lifetime with your mother on top of a mountain.”

“You would have shriveled up and died of boredom,” Daphne said tartly. “Either that or I would have gone insane with you constantly inventing projects.”

“I did say almost,” Lex said.

“These last couple of months have proved to me, you are not good at sitting around,” Daphne continued. “You are too much of a go-getter to ever think you would be content with a life of climbing mountains and taking photographs.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I have taken some masterpieces,” Lex said, holding up his borrowed camera. “Mainly of you.”

Daphne’s face softened, and she hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you, Lex.”

“I know, that’s why I fought so hard to keep it together.”

“You mean buried your head in the sand,” Nevis said with a grin.

“I’ve learned a valuable lesson about not ignoring your body.”

“Or your mind,” Nevis added.

“Especially when your mind is trying to tell your son he needs to work in an office.” Lex shook his head. “I’m sorry I told you to get a proper job.”

“Was that before, or after Nevis won that award?” Daphne asked with a wink at Chrysi. “A very prestigious award.”

“For a photograph taken right here in the mountains,” Nevis said, pointing through the trees to where the sun was shining on a waterfall that fell from one of the most remote peaks, down into the valley below.

“Wow, it looks even more awesome in real life,” Chrysi said. “Not that your photograph wasn’t amazing.”

“There is nothing better than real life, I agree,” Nevis said, pulling her into his arms.

Chrysi leaned back on his shoulder, and they stood together, watching the water fall down into the hidden depths of the valley, which was shrouded in clouds. The moisture in the air made her skin feel damp, and her hair would be a frizzy mess, but all of that was forgotten next to the incredible view.

“If we climb higher, we meet a trail that drops down beneath the clouds. If you feel up to it, Dad?” Nevis looked at his father with concern.

“I’m ready to go.” He frowned at Nevis. “Don’t go treating me like I’m an invalid.”

“Dad, you had a tumor cut out of your head, we are allowed to baby you,” Kate said, coming to join them.

“Have fun?” Nevis grinned.

“I did,” Kate replied. “My bear thanks you too. You were right about that trail, it certainly gets your heart pumping.”

“A run in the mountains hasn’t corrupted you, has it, Kate?” Lex asked.

“Nope. Although I think I might be taking more weekends off and coming up here. If that’s OK with you all?” Kate asked. “After a hard week in the office, I think I deserve it.”

“You do,” Nevis agreed enthusiastically. “You are welcome anytime.”

“Any time at all,” Chrysi agreed. “Anything for the woman who saved me from having a miserable husband.”

Kate laughed. “Yeah, I think there was actually a point while Dad was in the hospital, when Nev told me he would come and help out, if it would make Dad feel better.”

“Really?” Lex asked. “I should have played the sick man a little longer.”

“No, you should not,” Daphne said. “This is all decided. Your son has his own life, his own choices. As does your daughter… And your wife.” She pulled away from Lex and took his hand. “And your wife wants to explore some more.”

“You heard Mom,” Kate said.

“I did.” Lex walked with Daphne, keeping their eyes fixed on the waterfall until it disappeared from view. The others all followed.

Chrysi watched her new family as they hiked the rest of the way up the side of the valley. She already loved each and every one of them. Daphne and Kate had become like the mother and sister she had never known. While Lex had become something of her business guru. He had some different ideas than Harlan, and she had learned a lot from him in the days when she sat for long hours keeping him company after his operation.

The family had taken turns, making sure Lex was never alone. Chrysi felt privileged to be included on the roster. It made her feel as if she were truly part of their family.

As for Harlan? A downdraft of air swept over them. As they passed a stand of trees, the valley opened up in front of them. The cloud sat in it, occasionally frothing up to spill over the sides. And from that cloud, a silver-backed dragon emerged.

They all stood still, in awe of the mighty beast who was her father.

“I am never going to get used to that sight,” Nevis said.

“He likes it here, he loves the privacy of the mountains,” Chrysi said. “If only he could find his mate, he would be happy to live here forever.”

“Still no luck?” Daphne asked sadly.

“No. He said the feeling just went away,” Chrysi said sadly. “He’s worried she knew he was here and ran away. But he won’t give up.”

Nevis hugged her close. “None of us should ever give up on love.”

“Because you never know where you will find it.” Chrysi agreed. “Come on, let’s go meet Harlan.”

She took Nevis’s hand and they ran down the trail together, disappearing into the clouds, two lovers, bound by fate. Sometimes when she thought of Ross and Bart, locked away in prison for attempted kidnapping, she felt a twinge of pity for them. Only because, without that one act of treachery, she would never have met her storm bear.

A man she loved above all else.

***