Epilogue
“Where are we going?” Lucy asked for the hundredth time as she sat fidgeting on the passenger seat of Taryn’s cruiser.
With her eyes covered by a black sleep mask that allowed no light through, she had no idea where they were going. It didn’t worry her, though. She trusted this man with her life.
“I told you, pet, it’s a surprise.”
Lucy smiled. Since they’d mended the rift in their relationship and decided to make a go of it, Taryn had been constantly surprising her. There had been thoughtful little gifts on an almost daily basis. He’d arranged unexpected get-togethers with her friends, so she could enjoy some girl time. Best of all, there had been new and interesting games in the bedroom. Taryn had embraced the idea of role-playing and seemed to particularly enjoy scenarios where he was the bold conqueror overcoming the reluctant virgin. No matter how caught up in the moment they were, he always made sure to check that she was comfortable with what they were doing. She was starting to wonder if he’d read some of the romance novels she and her friends had once enjoyed. Whatever it was that had turned him into Prince Charming, she was eternally grateful.
The sterner side of him did show up every now and then, of course, and there were still punishments to endure. She was a very naughty girl at times and they both understood the need to maintain discipline. The difference these days was that they kept the pet play for intimate moments between them. Taryn didn’t insist on her calling him Master either, although she did, on occasion, let the word slip when her body yielded to his command. Since they’d spoken about their needs and to a mutually satisfactory arrangement, Taryn didn’t try to exert his dominance over her in front of other men as he once had. When her behavior was less than perfect, she could see him struggling to hold back the desire to inflict humiliating punishments on her, but he was trying. Knowing that he was willing to change to make her happy was the best gift he could give, and Lucy did all she could to show her appreciation. Things were by no means perfect, but they were getting closer every day.
The only thing Lucy had to worry about these days was Lottie, who had woken from her coma after three weeks and had no recollection of having left New Cambridge. She recognized her friends but not her mates and Lucy could see that was killing the proud Bylanthian warriors. They were powerless in the face of Lottie’s amnesia, and Lucy felt incredibly sorry for them. She had no idea how she would cope if Taryn ever forgot who she was. Just the thought of it brought a tear to her eye but she blinked it away. Today was going to be special. She could feel it in her bones.
After what seemed to be an interminable journey, the cruiser drew to a halt. Lucy heard Taryn get out and suddenly her door was opened. He took her hand and helped her from the vehicle, steadying her as she stumbled. Sniffing the clean, fresh air, Lucy smiled. Even without the benefit of sight, she recognized this place. He’d brought her back to the cave.
She grasped Taryn’s hand tightly as he led her along the narrow corridor through the mountain. He steered her carefully through the passageway, ensuring she didn’t hurt herself on the rocks. When they came to the clearing, he stopped. He moved around behind her and took hold of her shoulders, turning her to face where he wanted her to. Then he removed the blindfold.
As soon as her eyes adjusted, Lucy gasped in delight. The cave had been beautiful before but now it was transformed. There were brilliant dots of light projected on the walls like shimmering stars. Exotic-looking flowers were strewn across the floor, creating a pathway to the edge of the lake where a blanket lay. There was a large box on the blanket and Lucy just knew it would be full of her favorite foods.
“A picnic?” Lucy asked. Taryn nodded as he led her over to the blanket. “It’s incredible.”
“I had some help,” he confessed as he waited for her to sit and then got down on the floor next to her.
Lucy cocked an eyebrow in question.
“Victoria,” Taryn responded.
“Vicky?” Lucy experienced an irrational twinge of jealousy at the thought of Taryn taking her best friend to this special place without her knowledge. “You brought her here?”
“No,” Taryn said in an amused tone as he presumably realized she was put out. “I asked her what a man is supposed to do when he wishes to ask a woman to marry him.”
“Really?” Lucy couldn’t help grinning. He’d let the cat out of the bag and didn’t seem to realize it.
“She thought you would like this.”
“I do, it’s beautiful.”
“Good.” Taryn scrubbed his palms on his thighs. There was an awkward, almost pained expression on his face. Lucy held back a laugh. Was he actually nervous? It wasn’t something she’d seen from him before. She hadn’t actually thought Taar-Breckians could experience anxiety. They all seemed to have a rod of steel where their backbones should be.
Taking a deep breath, Taryn reached into the box beside him to retrieve a beautiful silver collar.
“I know the tradition on Earth is to present a woman with a ring, but I would like you to accept this,” Taryn said, “as a sign that we are forever bound to one another.”
“Okay,” Lucy beamed.
“And I want to marry you,” he said, the sincerity in his eyes bringing a lump to Lucy’s throat, “in front of all our friends. Do you accept?”
Lucy’s heart swelled. Although he had told her to arrange a marriage ceremony when they first arrived on Taar-Breck, the subject hadn’t been raised since they got back together. It almost overwhelmed her to think that he was willing to follow a tradition that meant so much to her. Taar-Breckians didn’t usually make public declarations to prove their commitment to each other.
“Yes, I accept.”
Taryn leaned forward and placed the collar around her neck. He looked into her eyes and she felt his gaze burn deep into her soul.
“Once this is fastened, you will not be able to take it off,” Taryn warned. “Are you certain you wish to be mine?”
“Yes.” There was not a trace of doubt in Lucy’s mind. “I’m sure.”
As the two ends of the collar clicked together, she felt the silver contract until it sat snugly around her throat. She sighed in contentment and lay back on the blanket, looking up at the shimmering roof of the cave. As Taryn came down over her, his eyes glistening with intent, she felt a shiver of arousal running through her veins. Whatever fears she might have harbored, whatever doubts, were now gone. She was his and he was hers. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, a single word that brought a smile to her pale pink lips. Forever.
The End