“Freeze!”
Koios had never seen a group follow an order so instantly. They even stopped speaking as Bailey marched through the crowd and pointed at Koios. “I see you trying to escape. Oh no, sir. You are staying with your pack, and you’re going to like it. Are we clear?”
“No,” Koios said.
“Uh, that was pretty clear,” Ben said.
Bailey sputtered. “What?”
“Come on. I’m finally healed, I have this gorgeous mountain of a man who is an expert in anatomy, and you want me to hang out with the pack and…chat? Bailey, please. Have mercy because I have plans, crystal clear plans that involve me doing really twisty, bendy things while?—”
“You’re excused,” Bailey said. “Go. Go now before I change my mind.”
Koios grabbed Ben’s hand and pulled him along as they ran inside and upstairs to his room. He laughed as he closed the door behind them and flipped the lock.
Ben sat down on the bed with a wide grin on his face. “That was pretty amazing,” Ben said. “Probably won’t ever work again.”
Koios prowled forward. “Which is why we’re going to make the most of this opportunity.”
27
EPILOGUE
“Lavender is not my signature color,” Nyx yelled, staring down at the flowy ethereal dress she wore. Of course, her black boots toned down the look a little.
“Pretty sure it’s Victorian Lilac,” Aleron teased as he adjusted the deep plum ensemble he wore.
Koios looked down at his own outfit and shook his head. Their attire had arrived a few days before as a gift from the king and king consort. Everyone was expected to wear their new clothes to the celebration.
Ben came down the steps, looking particularly stunning in a flowing purple tunic with silver and gold embroidery.
“You’re a very lucky man,” Phoebe said.
She fluffed her wings, sending the orchid gown floating around her. Amethyst earrings glittered in her ears, a personal gift from the king.
“You look gorgeous,” Koios said, pulling in his twin for a quick kiss on the cheek.
“As do you. Your…whatever that outfit is called…is more silver than purple.”
“It matches my eyes.”
“Bullshit,” Iris said, faking a sneeze to cover her attack.
Her gown was a vivid orchid that looked absolutely stunning on her. She also wore her gift from the king, a spectacular necklace that put the crown jewels to shame.
The king had sent special gifts to all the pack who’d gone into the Unseelie realm to fight. Bailey had somehow managed to convince Logan to wear the gold and silver torque, even though he’d loudly protested.
With everyone present and accounted for, Logan gestured for Taj to open the portal to the Unseelie realm. Ben made his way to Koios’s side and linked their hands together.
“Ready?”
“Always.”
They walked hand in hand through the portal and into a huge flower-filled field outside the castle. Koios gulped. There had to be hundreds of fae in attendance. Wait, make that thousands. He’d not counted the tiny pixies showering the entire crowd with purple flower petals.
“There’s my family.” Ben waved at them, nudging Koios until he added a greeting of his own.
“Did you know how many people were going to be here? I’m pretty sure there are giants over there, Ben. Giants. And…holy shit, those are dwarves. My ancestors are here. Oh shit. Oh shit. I didn’t think this through. I really didn’t.”
