Triton and the others left the next morning, and I spent the day on the roof. I stretched my magic, practicing with it while keeping an eye on the beach to make sure the selkies didn’t have another plan to come at us while the king was away.

My friends had told me that I’d know if I was pregnant within a day or two of breeding, because I’d start feeling sick. The nausea set in while I sat on the roof, and it got worse when I realized I couldn’t tell my mate until he returned.

The last thing I needed was to distract him in the middle of a fight.

Triton and the warriors weren’t back when the sun went down. I’d puked over the ledge of my platform an hour earlier and used my magic to wash it away, but I still didn’t dare reach for my mate’s mind.

It was dark, but I hadn’t budged from the roof when he told me they were headed home. I stayed where I was for the next few hours while they traveled back.

When my mate and his warriors stepped out of the water and headed up the beach, I finally vaulted off the platform. The sea carried me safely to the sand, and I ran right into Triton’s waiting arms.

He thanked his warriors as they left us on the beach. His hands cradled my face, and he tipped my head back to meet my eyes.

The moment reminded me so much of the first day we had met—but better.

So much better.

“Hello, Sweetheart.” His lips were curved, his eyes bright.

He was happy.

And I was the one who had made that happen.

“I’m pregnant,” I breathed.

His eyes brightened and his mouth stretched into a wide grin before he kissed me.

His lips were warm and comfortable, his taste reminding me of home.

Triton was mine.

And fuck, I was so glad he made me his on that beach back on Earth.

epilogue

TRITON—EIGHT MONTHS LATER

I dragged my hand over my mate’s curved, swollen belly. Our child wiggled beneath my touch, letting me know he could feel it while Aria slept lightly in my arms.

“Are you trying to make him drive me crazy again?” she murmured. “You know he always moves like this for you.”

“I know. I couldn’t resist.” I pressed lightly against the spot he’d moved, and he kicked my palm a few times in response.

Aria laughed. “He’s getting way too big to stay where he is.”

“He won’t be trapped there much longer.” I kissed her throat, and when she turned her head a little, captured her lips.

Our son kicked my hand while we kissed, until my mate was rolling away from me with a groan. “Enough, Triton. Stop riling him up.”