This makes me happy in a way I don’t think I’ve ever felt before. And if none of the other shit had happened, this would actually feel like victory.
But now she’s in control of a book too. Royal Beasts.
We’ve looked at it. It’s a breeding registry of some royal family.
Her name is in there and so is mine.
So… yeah.
One step forward, three steps back.
But we’re closer now. I can feel it. We’re gonna solve this mystery and then—
“Oh, my God. What are you thinking so hard about?”
I grin and turn my head to find a sleepy Pie cracking one eye open for me.
“You,” I say. And it’s not even a lie.
She reaches for me, her hand touching my cheek in a way that makes me feel cherished. She leans up and kisses me, her hand sliding down my face to my shoulder, then my chest, then… “Fuck yeah,” I mumble. “But I thought you were over the morning sex?”
She kisses me between her words. “No more job, no more restrictions.”
“So your new plans are… what? Lying around in bed all day?”
“It’s like you’re a mind-reader, Pell.”
I flip her over, position my body over hers, and then lean down and kiss her back.
I know this isn’t over.
I know there’s more to come.
I know my future isn’t going to be a life spent in bed with my woman.
But I’ve always been good at pretending.
EPILOGUE - TOMAS
There has only ever been one reason for a dragon to have a den.
And maybe a dungeon isn’t the best place, but it’s all we have.
The fire inside me is back. And for a moment I get lost in that request of Pell’s. Could I make some flame for him? Could I seal his bag with fire?
I will do that, eventually.
When this is over.
‘This’ refers to Madeline and her present state.
My sweet, sweet Madeline with her ammolite scales on her arms, and legs, and torso, and breasts.
They are everywhere now.
She is changing.
She has changed.