“Can you feel that?” he asks. He places his hand on my chest, and I do the same to him. Our hearts are beating exactly in sync.
“I can feel your emotions,” I say. “You’re… really fucking stressed.”
“Yes.”
“You’re alive. I guess the bond thing worked.”
“You shouldn’t have done it,” he says, cupping my face. “Your safety, above all.”
“What’s the point of being queen if I don’t use my magic?” I lay my palms on his cheeks. “You’re healed.”
“Yes. You saved me.” His voice is gruff. His gorgeous green eyes are piercing my very soul.
“And you saved Medela. There’s no more curse. The whole kingdom is celebrating.”
“Is Ma…”
“Recovered. Completely.” I mold my fingers over the rough scars of his face. “You sacrificed yourself. Thank you.”
“You did it for me.” He brushes more ash off my skin. “Rose, you could have died.”
“Youweredying,” I counter. “But you didn’t. And neither will I.”
“You’re so sure.”
“Of course I’m sure. I’m the queen. What I say goes.”
“Bossy Omega.”
“Insufferable Alpha.”
And we grin at each other.
Something squawks nearby—it’s a brightly colored lizard, peeking out of the foliage. Awhispwafts by, shooing the creature away.
“I kinda destroyed your palace. Sorry. I figured we could build a new one.” I move my head to one side, stretching my neck, and something pops. More dust drifts off my skin. “But maybe we could have a nap first?”
TWENTY-THREE
Bestian
My queen snuggles against me,and I rejoice in the feeling of holding her close when I never thought I would again. How could I go from the deepest, abject misery to these dizzying heights of joy in so short a time?
“Just a little sleep,” she murmurs. “We have time.”
“Rose.” I touch her hair, her face. Breathe in her sweet scent. The side of her neck still shows evidence of the curse. A few parts are scaly and gray. But the crust is flaking off to reveal healthy, smooth skin.
She rescued me and bonded us. Somehow, her magic broke through and did the impossible. She took on part of the curse, and together, we destroyed it.
Without her, I would never have survived.
I owe her my life—a debt I can never repay. But I intend to spend the rest of my days doing all I can to make her happy. To fulfill her every desire. To rule Medela as my father wanted me to, as I should have done from the start. I am reborn. Ulf has blessed me with a second chance. And I will make the most of it
I’m still not entirely convinced this isn’t just a fever dream, but I don’t care if it’s not real. I’ve never been so happy.
Rose, my mate, my Omega, is in my arms. This is where I want to be. Forever.
* * *
