I hadn’t realised how attuned I was to her, but as her words settled between us, her end of the bond fully opened to me, and I felt it all. Her love, her commitment, her comfort. Everything she experienced came through, soothing in the way it hit me. It made my own emotions swell.
Any fears I might have had were easily washed away by her. I felt no doubt from her, no worry or fear. As we clung to one another, I considered what else our future would hold. What more we could do now that our enemy was gone, locked away in a prison he could never escape from. Especially now that Ivy had no realm to rule over.
My mate yearned for the quiet and comfort of our new life. I felt that now, and I’d known that before. Being Queen was neverher intention or desire, and I understood that perfectly. I’d not wanted to be King, either. And now…
Now we were neither of those things.
“One day,” I murmured, “I hope to share this with you again.”
Ivy glanced up with tired eyes. “Share what?”
My gaze dipped to the swell of her stomach, and slowly, I moved my hand to press against it. “This. The wonders of it.” When I looked up, her eyes were wet. “I never thought I would have you, let alone children. I would…I would be honoured to do it all again with you, my love.”
I awaited her answer with bated breath. “I would love to,” she whispered. “But give me a few years.”
A shaky, relieved breath escaped my lips. “Of course, dear wife. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Through the bond,I could tell Ivy needed rest, but she remained at our table, leaning back in a chair with her feet on the vampire’s lap. Her shoes were gone, tossed to the side. Even from this distance I could tell her ankles were swollen and feet likely bruised. Despite the pain she was in, she remained smiling and happy as our guests bid their farewells.
Perhaps in a hundred years we could celebrate like this again. Or a decade. It was almost…nice, being surrounded by our friends and family. At least in a decade, the little twins would be old enough to enjoy the festivities and could be shuffled away when it was time for their bedtime, like the young girls. All three were now gone, sleeping peacefully I hoped, exhausted yet happy.
Greer’s mates left with the shadows, meanwhile the friends of my mate started for the guest wing. Ivy might have wanted peace, but she also particularly enjoyed having her friends close by. Being mated and having the children made it hard for her to maintain those relationships—especially because they meant so much to her—but we helped where we could and ensured she also spent as much time as possible with them.
“I suppose it is time I leave,” Sao said, appearing beside me. “Thank you.”
I glanced down at the demon. “For what?”
His dark eyes found mine, features impossibly emotionless. “For inviting me.”
I snorted, crossing my arms, eyes drifting back to Ivy. “Why wouldn’t I, Sao? You are my oldest friend.”
The demon made a sound in the back of his throat. “I appreciate that, my ki—Rhadamanthus.” It’d taken him a long time to get used to the title of king, and I supposed it would take him just as long to get over it. “I hope this will not be the last I see of you.”
“It won’t,” I promised. As much as I didn’t want to return to the palace—my prison for over three thousand years, and the fields that’d once been my shackles—I would, should he or the new monarch of Elysian need me. I hoped it wouldn’t be the case, but I would not close myself off to them, especially when I’d needed guidance upon my ascent of the throne, too.
Sao lowered his voice, inching closer. “There is still no news of a new ruler of the fields. Your cousins grow restless, and the demons in Elysian fear the boundary between the Underworld and the Fields may weaken with the absence of one.”
I released a slow breath as I looked from Ivy to the male beside me. “It is on the magic to identify the next ruler of Elysian. Not me or my wife. She gave the Fields power to choosethe next ruler based on who would best suit taking the crown. It may take time for that demon to reveal themselves.”
The male nodded once before looking away. “We pray for it to happen soon, regardless,” he said, keeping his voice low. “But I suppose that is not something you should worry about. Not anymore.” He looked up, and our eyes met. “I will manage.”
The corners of my lips quirked in understanding. “You always do.”
“Good night, Rhadamanthus. I wish upon you a bright future no longer filled with death,” Sao murmured, stepping back.
I followed him for a moment, heart hammering in my chest, a wave of sadness crashing into me. It wasn’t goodbye, because I knew we would see each other again one day, and yet I couldn’t completely shoulder that weight.
“I hope you find your next ruler,” I replied sadly. “But I hope you also find future happiness, Sao. I am honoured to have known you so long. You deserve peace, and a life filled with less death, too.”
The demon looked over his shoulder with a sad, yet appreciative smile, and bowed his head once. He was not a man of many words, which I understood, so I watched him leave with my cousins, disappearing in a plume of shadow and darkness.
Are you okay?Ivy asked, her sweet voice a calming balm inside my mind.
When I turned back towards the table, her eyes were on me. Sad.Yes, my dear wife, I am. Better than I have been.
She reached out a beckoning hand, which I moved towards without hesitation. The table was surrounded by the last of Ivy’s mate circle, as well as her best friend and her parents.
“Well, we should be off,” the elder woman said, rising with her husband. “You get some rest, Ivy. Let these mates of yours take care of you.”
