The praise coming from someone Darion admired and respected as deeply as his father humbled him. He hadn’t done anything with the goal of winning accolades or changing the world. And despite what his father had said--despite what Selene had said when she, too, had credited him with more than he deserved--there was only one reason he was standing there now.
One reason he had fought with all he had.
He was looking at that reason right now. He brought Selene’s hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm. “I’d do it all over again just to share my life with you. Our life. Our future. Our family, if you’re willing.”
“Our family?” She smiled, her sparkling eyes soft on him. “You want a child with me?”
He caressed her cheek. “Nothing would please me more.”
She took hold of his face and kissed him, her elation wrapping around him through their bond. “I love you, Darion Thorne.”
He smiled. “I love you, too, my beautiful Selene.”
They embraced for a moment, then linked hands to enter the throne room with Darion’s parents following behind them.
The huge chamber was a hive of conversation and camaraderie. The battle had cost too many Atlantean lives, but it was over. Those dead would be honored soon, but this moment was for celebration. And for fellowship between new friends.
Everywhere Darion looked, he found Order warriors and their mates chatting with Atlantean civilians and soldiers. He spotted Sebathiel holding court with Mira and Kellan, the Chase twins and their mates, and several daywalkers.
Seb nodded at Darion, a silent acknowledgment of the truce forged between them as well, the kinship earned together on the battlefield. Darion nodded back, then let his gaze travel elsewhere in the room, noting Zael and Brynne chatting with a group of Atlanteans alongside Mathias Rowan and his pregnant Breedmate, Nova.
There were countless other fast friendships forming all over the crowded room.
Leaning toward Selene, he said, “If this is any indication, I think the palace will need to be expanded to accommodate future gatherings.”
She laughed. “I’m sure that can be arranged. I suppose we might need a nursery eventually too?”
He smirked, arching a brow. “We’ll need one sooner than that, if I have anything to say about it.”
As they stepped farther inside the throne room, a cheer went up from everyone gathered.
A deep Atlantean voice boomed over the rest of the ruckus. “Glory to our Queen!”
The chant was picked up by others, until every Atlantean in the room shouted in her honor. Selene’s eyes stayed rooted on Darion.
“And to my King,” she said, devotion radiating from her loving gaze.
Darion lowered his head and kissed her, while all around them cheers and applause from the Atlanteans and Breed alike rose to fill the palace to its rafters.
EPILOGUE
Lucan and Gabrielle were the last to depart the following day.
After saying goodbye to their incredible son and his equally extraordinary mate, they stood with arms wrapped around each other at the stern of a large schooner as it headed away from the island. An Atlantean soldier stood at the wheel to take them to the mainland. Above their heads, huge white sails billowed under a clear blue sky as the distance spread between the boat and the shore with its hilltop palace and gleaming towers.
Atop the tallest of those battlements stood Darion and Selene. She radiated in her diaphanous gown and golden coronet, but nothing shone as brightly as the loving gaze she held on Darion, her dark-haired mate at her side.
The Atlantean realm’s new hero and king.
The sun glinted off Darion’s simple crown as he held up his hand in farewell. With Selene’s pure, royal blood to sustain him, daylight would never harm him. Not even time could separate Darion from his mate. He and Selene would have forever to love each other, the greatest prize of all.
And often the hardest won.
“Look how happy they are together,” Gabrielle said, her head resting against Lucan’s chest. “That’s what I’ve wanted the most for our son--to find someone who fulfills him and challenges him. Someone who loves him with all her heart.”
Lucan dropped a kiss onto her soft hair. “What I’ve wanted most for him is to find a woman like his mother.”
She smiled up at him. “Headstrong and stubborn?”
