I tightened on him, and that only increased the pleasure as he thrust, then pulled away, then pounded into me once more.
I was arched, hovering, bowed backwards, trembling from head to toe when Melek dropped his chin and rasped, “You’re the most beautiful fucking thing in the world.”
Then flattened his hands on my hips, and thrust so hard the chair bounced.
I grabbed for him as I exploded, nails digging into his back as pleasure sparked lights behind my eyes and tore a ragged cry from my throat. Then my mate lost the last shred of his control and cupped a thick hand behind my neck, pulling me up while I twitched and writhed, clenching around him, he pulled me to his chest and took my mouth, his tongue filling me as surely as his body, as he came with the power of a king.
Our bodies sang together. Our hearts twined. Our souls united.
And his roar shook the walls.
As we collapsed together, I thanked God that he was mine and I was his. Forever.
Thank you.Thank you for my mate.
Then I clung to him, panting, sweating,ecstatic.He was my life’s joy. He was my greatest passion. He was the father of my son, and the king of my nation, and the best person I knew. I would follow him straight to hell.
When he groaned and straightened, pulling me up with him, his warm eyes met mine and he licked his lips. “Well done, beautiful,” he croaked. “Lack of control, achieved.”
I smiled and leaned in, kissing him deeply.
He was strong and stubborn, intelligent and a fool, hilarious and infuriating.
And he wasmine.
Which was why he would tease memercilesslyabout ordering special, silk pillows to press over his royal face, and quiet his roar next time.
Even the thought made me smile.
I’d let him tease, and I’d love it.
Just as soon as I got my breath back.
EPILOGUE Pt. 3
Gall & Istral
~ YILAN ~
The following morning, I sat in the beautiful garden of the cottage that Gall and Istral had made their home for the years since we returned from Ebonreach. At the time, it had seemed like a good idea to give them a space they were familiar with—and keep Gall a little separate while he processed everything that had happened. We’d always intended to bring them into the palace when the time was right, but they’d remained content here—eventually requesting to make it their permanent home. Melek and I had been more than pleased to give it to them.
I smiled, swallowing back an unexpected pinch of tears as little Naran sidled up to his mother, and put his head in her lap. Istral smiled as she looked down and her sweet fingers trailed through his unruly golden curls.
“Are you well, Nar?” she asked him softly.
He nodded, his little cheek pressed against her thigh, then sighed. “I’m justhungry.”
Istral smiled and Harris and I laughed. Of all the children, Naran had taken his size and strength most directly from the Nephilim. He was already inches taller than Mael, andalwayshungry. It caused issues when he was at the palace. He looked like a child two or three years older than he was, which at his young age, created a great deal of confusion for adults and other children when they interacted, expecting him to be more developed and controlled in his thinking than he’d had time to grow into.
It caused Gall, in particular, a niggling anxiety, and was one of the reasons I suspected they wanted to stay out here in the cottage.
But Naran needed to play with his peers. So, Harris brought Mael or Adiya, or both, out to play with him most days. The kids loved the garden, and called it theirkingdom.
It was both adorable, and somewhat worrying, when we caught Mael and Naran arguing over who would be King, while Adiya rolled her eyes and climbed trees until they figured it out.
But Harris assured us the boys’ conflicts were entirely normal, and they had norealawareness of their own positions—or ours—in society. And since the day Mael innocently asked me why Adiya’s parents didn’t have thrones or crowns, I was inclined to believe her.
“Lunch will come soon. You’ll see it when the servants bring the tray. Until then, you go play,” Istral said softly, teasing her little boy’s hair back from his face.
