EPILOGUE
Jo’s reading lessons had started today, and they’d just finished her first session.
Rune took this as seriously as her continuing rune studies. Their new place was covered with spelling Post-it notes. He’d rewarded each stride she made with kisses, making her a highly motivated student.
After Rune had deemed her brilliant, those kisses had landed him in bed. Well, what had he expected? When the first sentence he’d had her put together was Rune loves Josie, and he’d held her gaze? She’d been all over him.
Now they were lazing between the sheets, about to get ready for dinner at the Braydens’. Though their new crib (a badass ranch) was in Australia, Rune had used a spell to connect their side entrance to a closet in the carriage house. A knock on the door there was a knock here. They lived a nanosecond away.
He’d also tricked out their new bedroom. Directly above their bed was a barrier spell to prevent sleep-ghosting. It matched the one on the floor. Nobody was going anywhere with Rune on watch. Not that she could when he held her tight, even as he slept. . . .
After Jo and Rune had reunited that first morning—again and again—she’d taken Thad aside. She’d eloquently explained her and Rune’s previous relationship issues: “Thought he’d boned this nymph. He didn’t. My guy’s solid again. Gonna marry him when his people get here.”
Thad had looked as happy about that development as Rune had about Mount Hua.
“Just give him a chance, kid. He’s funny and smart. You’ll like him.”
Thad hadn’t been disappointed so much by Rune’s Møriørness; he’d been bummed Jo was moving out: “I just got you back.”
“You’re not losing me—you’re gaining him. He’s already protective of you. Since I’m his mate, you’re his brother by fate.”
“Brother.” Oh, she could tell Thad had dug that. “Huh. Two siblings in a week?”
When the guys in her life had met, Rune had told Thad, “I want to apologize for being so brusque with you last week. I was panicked over my mate’s well-being, and I reacted badly. My name is Rune Darklight, and I’m very pleased to meet you.” He’d offered his hand.
Thad had taken it. “Thaddeus Brayden. And I totally get it. I could’ve listened better, but I was freaking out because I’d just been strangling my big sister and all.”
Rune had nodded thoughtfully. “I doubt she’ll let that happen twice, no?”
Thad had grinned. And Jo had known all is right in the world.
Since then Rune had traced her and Thad to new dimensions, showing them wonders. The guys got along great, despite Thad’s Vertas leanings. Today, he’d gone to meet with some of them to plan Val Hall’s rebuild.
But that was okay. With Nïx missing and Orion still a universe away, the war had hit the snooze button. . . .
Now Rune pressed a kiss to her head. “I hope we’re having fried chicken tonight.”
“Based on your reaction the first time, I think a repeat is guaranteed.” No matter how far afield they traveled, Jo, Thad, and Rune convened with MizB and Gram for at least two meals a day. Rune had been the delighted recipient of home-cooked dinners; the women were overjoyed to have someone to cook for.
Jo now had tons of people in her life, interacting.
And there would only be more. Rune wanted her and Thad to meet his allies.
When Rune had heard her talking about Apparitia, he’d feared his liege had destroyed her world. But Rune had chosen to, well, have faith in his faith. “I was right to,” he’d told her. “Orion strikes hard at his enemies, but he had nothing to do with Apparitia.”
Rune’s fellow Møriør, Blace, had once lived on the periphery of the Elserealms where her home world had been located. The vampire might be able to help uncover more information about her parents.
She would ask Blace once she visited Tenebrous. Not anytime soon, though. She didn’t want to leave her brother behind for the days it’d take to get there and back. When she’d invited Thad to go with them, he hadn’t wanted to leave MizB and Gram. Not yet . . .
Rune stroked her hair and exhaled with satisfaction. “Meadowberry.”
She grinned against his chest. She’d dreamed his memories of those fields, of the bliss he’d felt lying among them, with sugar from the berries on his lips and breezes rustling the leaves.
When she’d recounted her dream, he’d cradled her face. “Every day with you is like that now. I’ll know that bliss forever. And I’m determined you will too.”
The future was so bright. . . .
She’d thought there was no greater connection than destiny decreeing them joined. But there was—the choice they’d made to love each other.
Rune shifted her in bed so he could rise above her. “I want you to learn one last word today.”
“Another one?” she grumbled, acting put-out.
“Uh-huh.” Rune pierced his finger for blood, and her eyes went heavy-lidded.
He drew four letters over her chest. Over her heart.
In a breathless voice, she asked, “What does it say?”
His eyes darkened as he rasped, “Mine.”