“You know, I’m sort of glad the party ended early.” Holding onto Zella, I flap my wings and take us into the air, heading toward our room.

“Is that so?” she asks, quirking an eyebrow.

“Yes. Our honeymoon wasn’t long enough. I think we need another week, at least.”

When we make it to our balcony doors, I let her do the honors of opening it. She sighs with delight when a simple touch makes the lock slide back. Hauling her into my arms, I walk forward and gently place her on the bed.

“What now?” She tugs on the neck of my shirt to check my chest wound, but it’s already closing up.

“Well, I was planning to put a child in your belly, but it seems I’ve already done that.”

“Yes, you did.” Zella grins. “That will make the people happy, right?”

“Stop thinking about the people.” Crawling over her, I nip at her neck. “Their approval will come with time. But, yes, a baby prince will be the most excitement they’ve had since… well, since tonight.” I end my jest with a playful poke to her ribs, and Zella finally joins me in my amusement over the debacle.

Giggling, she adds, “At least I’ll be remembered. I think I like the idea of being in the history books.”

That’s the spirit.

I kiss her, nudging her nose with mine as I lick her top lip. “I love you, my sweet.”

“And I love you, my king of Night.”

Since her dress is mostly disintegrated, I decide to make the most of it. I let my palm slide up the inside of her smooth thigh and nuzzle her neck. Her hair smells a little smokey, but I don’t care.

Here we are, damp from the rain, covered in black soot and blood. We could be doused in slime for all I care.

Every moment with my mate is a moment worth having.

EPILOGUE

Zella

“Mother.” Kirian’s voice reverberates down the hallway. “I’m waiting.”

I smile. Even at almost eleven years old, my son can’t go to sleep without a goodnight kiss from me. I love that.

“I can rock Gia.” Keryth gets up from the bed to take our infant daughter from my arms.

I kiss him as I pass her over. My feet shuffle over the floors as I hurry to the room next to ours.

Kirian’s in his four-poster bed, the dark blue covers tucked around his waist. When he sees me, he gives me a lopsided grin and holds up his ivory comb. “Help me get some tangles out?”

Like most Night Realm fae males nearing puberty, he’s decided to start growing his hair. By the time he’s an adult, his locks should be long and lustrous.