“Like fucking on the kitchen table?” She shakes her head.
I pause, fingers gripping the bannister. “You know about that?”
“Everyone knows about that.”
My cheeks heat up. “Even the guys downstairs?”
“Yes.” She sighs. “Really, we’re going to have to look into some different living arrangements. It’s fun being here but the, uh…sexual tension? It’s a little much for outsiders and those boys…it’s a whole lot of testosterone in one place.”
“We’ll tone it down,” I say. “Promise.”
“No, you’ve sacrificed enough. Live. Love. Be happy,” she says. There’s a touch of pain in her voice but not as much as a week ago. We’re down in the foyer and I spot the Legion walking into the dining room. I expect Dylan is handing out drinks and everyone is waiting for us to arrive.
I grab her arm before we reach the door. “I am happy,” I tell her, wanting to add that I wish her happiness as well. She’ll get it. I feel it. “Take your time. We’ve all been through a lot.”
We cross the threshold and I don’t know what Sue and Davis did, perform a magic spell or hire a carpenter, but the dining room feels wider and longer. The table is big enough for all of us and is set with The Nead’s finest china.
I make eye contact with Clinton first and he pushes his hair behind his ear, no doubt to see me better. Damien stands next to him; ink peeking out from his shirtsleeves. He looks adorable in a short-sleeved button-down complete with a bow-tie. I can’t help but smile when I look at him. Sam has out his camera and blinds the two of us before we can even get in the room. His smile is more blinding than the flash.
Bunny sidles up to me, latching his hand to mine. I’m so thankful he’s here. That we worked through all our differences. Trust is important—we’ve learned that the hard way.
“Come on,” he says, “Sue set you up at the end of the table.”
Because, in this world or the next, I am still the Queen.
I take my place and watch as my guardians stand behind their seats, Dylan across from me, eyes ever alert. His face is different, more relaxed, and I think for once he feels secure. We all do.
The six members of the Legion of Immortals take the remaining chairs. They look adorable—okay, super hot—cleaned up and dressed in formal wear. With a little assistance I have no doubt they’ll find a place in our society.
Davis fills each goblet with deep red wine, finishing with the glass in front of my plate. I lift it up and hold it out.
“Thank you for being here,” I begin. “For being part of a remarkable point in history. We stopped a plague. Saved the world. Foiled an apocalypse. Does anyone know? Nope. Not really. Does it matter? Nah. We’ve don’t need glory or recognition.” I stare at every face. My mates. My best friend and the new friends that helped us accomplish our mission.
“Thank you,” Dylan says, cutting in before I can finish. It’s clear he speaks for everyone at the table. “You brought us together. Made us whole.”
I raise my glass and they all do the same; we’re a table of magic, power, and mystery. I can’t wait to find out where destiny will take us next.
Epilogue
“Do you think it will work?” Sam is the only one that dares ask the question out loud. His green eyes are a mixture of excitement and fear. Damien can’t even look at my face—his gaze planted firmly on the ground.
And Dylan? He’s across the rooftop, unable to even be near us.
“I did the spell. Accurately, I think.” Bunny nods his approval. He helped me, along with Tran at the magic shop.
“The Shaman had nothing to do with this, right?” Clinton asks. His jaw is set and shoulders tense. This means so much to them. If it fails…if I fail…
“Do you think I’m crazy? No freaking way I involved that bastard in something so important.”
“So what do we do?” Sam asks.
“Well, it should be like riding a bicycle, don’t you think? Instinctive.”
Damien finally looks up. “It’s been a long time since we’ve shifted.”
I take his hand in mine. “Today is the day you reclaim your wings. Don’t be afraid. Embrace it the way we do everything. Fear doesn’t guide my Raven Guardians, even when it comes to this.”
I tug him by the shirt and his violet eyes flash at me. His lips are sweet when I kiss him for good luck. The best part about my harem is they do not fight and squabble over the attention I give to the others. They’re patient.