Epilogue

Edinburgh, Scotland

One Year Later

Bryce threw his dart, disgruntled that it missed its mark. Again.

“Victoria! Stop playing games and let me relax.”

Tori giggled, stepped behind Bryce and wound her arms around him. She placed her hands against his chest and pulled herself closer against him. Kissing the back of his neck, she sent shivers down his spine. “I can help you relax, Laird Galloway.”

Slipping her hand down his chest, she grabbed at the pleats of his kilt and ran her nails up his muscular thighs, grazing his hairs as she taunted him. “Dinna start something ye canna finish, lassie.”

“Oh, I intend to finish.” Her hands stopped in between his thighs where she cupped him between his legs. Bryce moaned and turned his head, kissing her fiercely, his tongue urging her to continue. Tori squeezing him gently in reply.

Bryce spun around and grabbed her by the hips, then pinned her against the wall beneath the dart board. “Whit d’ye think? Want a lil Scottish in ye?”

Tori laughed.

“Whit am I saying?” Bryce said, his eyes all aglow, his dimple nestled deep in his cheek from his grin. “There’s nuthin’ lil about me.”

“You need to stop. They’ll be coming soon.” Tori kissed him and wiggled playfully beneath his grasp.

“I’d like to be coming soon.” He groaned, pushing himself against her. “And besides, ye started it. I was minding my own business playing darts.”

“I can’t help it, you know I can’t resist a man in a kilt.” He wagged his eyebrows at her in that all too familiar way and watched as she bit down on her lip in reply. The door chimed, alerting them that their guests had arrived.

“I really need to lock that door.” Bryce nipped her neck then swung around to see the faces of friends he had waited too long to return.

“Welcome to Galloway’s!” He clapped his hands together, and then opened his arms to welcome them.

“Galloway’s II.” Kyle corrected. “My bar is pumping in New York, this place looks dead.” Kyle stuck out his tongue and Bryce punched him playfully in the arm.

“Hey! That’s still my bar, I just let ye run it.” Bryce beamed a smile at Kyle, who had changed his hair from blue to green. Liv ran into Tori’s arms, the girls squealing as they held each other.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” Tori held Liv tightly and then looked at her like she couldn’t believe they had really crossed the Atlantic.

Liv looked around and took in the old-fashioned bar. “This place is beautiful. It reminds me of the bar in the city, but more… classic.”

“That’s because its owner is ancient,” Kyle added, taking another dig at Bryce.

“Bryce wanted something close to Edinburgh castle,” Tori explained.

Liv’s eyes grew big, “I’m so jealous! What’s it like to live in a real castle?”

“She wouldnae know. The queen insists on sleeping downstairs in the cellar.” Bryce laughed.

“But I thought you moved The High Council’s headquarters here in Edinburgh?” Liv looked confused.

“We did, but I let Vincenzo run the castle. I check in on him often, but I prefer to be here among my people.”

“He means among his scotch,” Tori said low and winked at Liv.

“I heard that! Speaking of which…” Bryce went behind the bar and took down four glasses and poured Dewar’s into each one.

“How has it been? Transition wise?” Kyle asked, taking a seat at the bar.

Tori slipped her arm through Tori’s and took a seat at the bar beside Kyle. “It was a little rough at first, but Enzo turned out to be a great bridge between the vampires and us. He’s Bryce’s most trusted advisor. After that, things began to settle down. There has been…” Tori knocked on the wooden bar. “Peace here. The vampires that chose to follow us to Scotland are very loyal. Those that remained in London are under supervision of members of the Blood Clan, but they are happy with the new order, and everyone is in agreement that not having the wolves has been a relief.”

“I think the wolves are happier too,” Bryce added.

The door chimed again, and a sea of color lit up the room. Elora ran over to Tori who was already out of her seat to greet them. Corbin grabbed Kyle and Liv together in a group hug. Behind the commotion, Bryce could see Kane walk in with Erin beside them. When Erin had written to Tori about her mixed feelings for Kane, Tori had been very supportive. But Bryce wasn’t sold on the idea. Still, seeing how lovingly Kane looked at Erin, perhaps Tori had been right.

“A vampire is all Erin knows, and perhaps it’s what she needs. Miranda was the love of your life, and you found love again. I would hope that if Kane ever won her affections, you would give them both your blessing.”

Bryce recalled Tori’s words now as he stepped out from behind the bar and shook Kane’s hand. Kane had kept his word and escorted Jasmine back to New York to see the spot where her sister had been laid to rest. After that, she went back to her home—a location unknown to the clan that was “supernatural free”. She had told Kane she wanted to stay human as long as possible and the only way to ensure that was to go into hiding. Kane had called Bryce asking for advice, but Bryce agreed with Jasmine’s wishes. So Kane officially let his prisoner go.

Bryce turned his gaze to Erin. Despite all she had been through, she looked better than he had anticipated. “Well look who it is… the best bartender I ever had. Think ye still ken yer way around?” Bryce gestured to behind the bar, but Erin jumped up and pulled him into a warm hug first.

“I guess this means ye dinnae want to kill us after all.”

Erin kissed his cheek. “Not today.” She slipped behind the bar and took down four more glasses. She poured Dewar’s in each and passed the glasses out to their private party.

Bryce raised his glass. “To Derek.”

Erin permitted a small smile to cross her lips and added, “To the Blood Clan.” They all clinked glasses, the sound tinkling around them like wind chimes.

Bryce drank deeply from his glass and looked at his mate. Never in over five hundred years did he think it was possible to be this happy. He pulled her behind the bar and kissed her, unable to hide his smile.

“Ugh, I don’t miss the constant PDA.” Erin rolled her eyes but winked at Kane. Everyone laughed. It was as if no time had passed.

Kane swallowed his scotch and smiled as Erin was quick to refill his glass. “Ya know, I never asked.” He looked from Bryce to Tori. “How did you guys meet?”

Tori laughed then polished off the last of her scotch. “Well, that’s a funny story. I uh… fell… well, no.” Tori made a face like she was embarrassed. “Actually, I jumped…” Placing a hand to her forehead she shook her head. Bryce took her hand away from her face. He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips against her fingers.

“Aye, and I caught her.”