Epilogue

Samantha:

Three Years Later…

“Come down from there right now,” I yelled up at Xavier who hung from the ceiling fan as it wobbled and spun around from his weight. “If you break that again, your father will take away your bear.”

Xavier pouted, looking so much like Knox my heart squeezed.

His sister, Julia, giggled. Her blue eyes ringed with silver shone in the early morning sun.

“Come on now, help me make breakfast.” I reached up and tugged on Xavier’s foot.

He squealed with delight, then hopped down. Both of their wings were the soft shade of black like their father’s, but their horns were much smaller than his. Xavier’s eyes were the opposite of his sister’s with silver throughout and a dark blue ring around them.

“How are my little ones today?” Knox’s voice boomed as he entered.

The twins dove through the air at their father and I smiled, rubbing my swollen belly. Our new son would be arriving in a few months and I couldn’t wait to kiss his sweet face.

“Alva’s shuttled here too.”

“I made enough breakfast for everyone,” I called back, waddling to the kitchen.

Alva had insisted on being our midwife through the twins’ birth, despite that we stayed on the grasslands’ planet. I just couldn’t remain on his homeplanet and hide behind a protective dome, no matter how beautiful his mountain home was. Maybe one day...when the Roulex were no longer a threat to him and his people. Alva took the weekly journey here to see us despite the risk. I tried to refuse to keep her safe, but she was even more stubborn than Knox.

After we ate, Knox took the twins for flying practice while Alva did her examination.

“You’re doing well.” She beamed at me. “Thank you for bringing so much joy into Knox’s life. He suffered so long before you.”

“I’m glad.” I blinked back tears. “And I hope that your people will be able to have the Xerlon prison removed from your planet.” I shuddered, remembering the Roulex and their insistence on getting Knox and his people’s secrets of healing. Doubt that we were completely safe from them since we’d only moved away from their proximity. Some were not as fortunate as Knox and me.

“We will triumph over our enemy.” She sighed. “There have been more attacks, but at least our protective shields are holding.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry again, about Celica.”

Alva choked out a sob and I leaned over and hugged her. She clung to me for a few minutes then pushed back, but tears still glistened in her eyes. “Oh, I think she’s around, watching over you and the children.” She patted my hand. “I had a dream about her last night. She told me all about you—how you fought off the Roulex to save Knox. How she helped Knox to see that she had given him her blessing to love you. And how happy she is for you both.”

“Really?” I asked in a shaky breath. All the times I’d been jealous of her, hated her when I didn’t know she had died way before I met Knox. It made me feel like a horrible person. “Thank you. I like the idea that she’s our guardian angel.”

Alva squeezed my hand. “Well, you’ll need all the help you can get with those two. And mostly with this one.”

“Oh?” I tilted my head to the side. Over these months, I’d gotten used to Alva’s prophetic words of wisdom.

“Yes.” Her golden eyes held a gleam in them. “I’ve seen this one will be more like his father than the other two combined.”

“Heaven help me then.” I let out a breath and laughed.

She joined in with me. “If anyone can tame him, like you did Knox, it’s you.”

“Thank you.” Her praise warmed me all over. “It’s not easy, but definitely rewarding.” I chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Knox asked from the doorway. Xavier climbed on his horns and Julia was attached to his leg.

“Nothing.” I scooted up from the table, pasting a kiss on his lips.

“I’ll see you next week,” Alva said, standing.

After she left, Knox put Xavier and Julia down who chased after each other through the house. He scooped me into his arms, pressing me as close as he can with my pregnant stomach.

“I missed you.” He inhaled deeply as though breathing me in.

“Missed you too.” I leaned up on my toes, planting a kiss on his mouth.

He tightened his hold on me. “I thank the gods every day that you rescued me. I love you, Samantha.”

His words thrilled me. “I love you too.”

“Why don’t we send the kids to Alva’s for a playdate with the other kids?

“How could I say no?” I kissed him again, my fingers skimming up his muscled chest.

He was my angel, my temptation, my husband, and my lover and I couldn’t have wished for anything more.