EPILOGUE
And then we’re flying home.
The Naiad is waiting in Earth’s orbit when we’re ready, glimmering white amongst the stars as it hovers in the void of space. We’ve left radios with both Fiona’s father and Kye’s family, with explicit instructions that they are to keep the technology safe. Not that it matters much for a backwater like Earth...but what matters to me is keeping my in-laws safe.
In-laws. What a bizarre concept.
I can see the tension in both Kye and Fiona ease as we get closer to our ship, their shoulders finally melting down along their spines as we dock with the Naiad. Taln’s voice comes over the radio, deep and reassuring, and Kye grins as he picks up the message, his eyes flickering over to me and Fiona.
“Shuttle One, this is the Naiad. You’re cleared for entry.”
“Roger, Naiad,” Kye says. “We missed ya, big guy.”
“Missed you too!” Ryker’s voice calls from somewhere farther from the radio.
Home.
We make our way slowly back onboard, our bellies full of human food and our hearts tender with good company. Fiona slips a hand through each of our arms, beaming when Ryker meets us at the hatch. He’s shirtless, as always, and she releases us to run forward and fling her arms around his waist, her face pressing to his chest. I see the look in his silver cosmos eyes as he gazes down at her small form, returning the embrace and inhaling her scent in her hair, and I remember how David Ward asked us to look after her.
Our queen couldn’t ask for better protection. I know that every one of us would give our lives for her.
Heavy steps sound from the cockpit and Taln comes around the corner, walking with a slight limp from the Order’s attack all those months ago. He crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his chin up, looking at me.
“Prince Nereus,” he says. “What news do you bring?”
I look from one man to the other, and finally at Fiona, who’s turned around to face me in Ryker’s embrace. She smiles over at Taln, her lips curving in pleasure. “Not that we needed it,” she says, “but my father approves. And he told us that next time we’re on Earth, he insists on meeting the two of you as well.”
Next time we’re on Earth. I bite my tongue, the weight of our future suddenly settling over me. There are preparations to be made, security protocols to enact, a wedding to plan...and most importantly, an army to rally. With Fiona’s help, we’re going to overthrow my evil stepmother.
I hope that I’ll be able to bring her back to her homeworld one day.
But for now, it’s time to celebrate.
Taln guides us to the dining room, where we’ve spent so many nights laughing, talking, and making love. Ryker practically carries her to the table, peppering kisses down her throat, and I can tell she’s hungry for more than just the decadent meal laid out before us. As she finds herself wrapped up with the Skoll, Kye’s fingers graze over my knee from where he sits next to me, his mismatched eyes meeting mine.
“Thank you,” he says simply.
I furrow my brow. “For what?”
“For taking me back to my planet,” he says. “For insisting I see my family again. I missed them.”
The words are plain, yet there’s so much emotion in them that I can barely hold myself together. I cover his hand with mine and exhale, shaking my head. “I’m sorry you couldn’t stay,” I say.
He shakes his own head vigorously, sliding his hand up my thigh. “No, Nereus,” he says. “I love them, but...Earth isn’t home anymore. You are. You all are.”
He squeezes my inner thigh and my heart lights with the memory of his sultry words at the party. But now it’s time to feast.
We’ll have more nights for lovemaking as we plan our war.
The Crew of the Naiad is going to war.