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Epilogue

They’d been married that morning, in front of the Council and Caleb’s wolves. There was much work for them to do. Caleb had joined the Council, and tomorrow he would go with Kael to start the search for his mother. But for this day, they were together. They had run through the dark forest and made love beneath the trees. Now they lay, bodies entwined before the altar to The Morrigan.

A shadow passed across the sun. Regan glanced up as a crow landed on the stone slab beside them. It cawed once, and then her mother stood before them.

For some reason, Regan wasn’t surprised. She rose slowly to her feet, pulling Caleb beside her. She flicked him a quick glance. He appeared reasonably calm for a man about to meet his mother-in-law. Especially considering he was naked and the mother-in-law also happened to be the goddess of war and pestilence. Still, he might feel a little more relaxed if he had some clothes on. She whispered a word, and they were both dressed.

“So, is this the bridegroom? Are you going to introduce me?”

“Mother, this is Caleb.” Regan tugged Caleb forward. “Caleb, my mother.”

The Morrigan looked him up and down, a small smile playing across her full lips. “Nice,” she said. “Very nice indeed. For a wolf.” She shook her head. “A vampire, now a werewolf. I don’t know where my children get their taste in men.”

“Half werewolf,” Caleb replied.

“Hmm, I know. Which is one of the reasons I’m here. Sorry I missed the wedding. That bastard Sardi had me all tied up. I was freed when you killed him—good job, by the way—but I had a few things to do first. Anyway, I’m here now, and I’ve brought you both presents.”

She reached inside her tunic, pulled out a wriggling little body, and handed it to Regan.

“It’s a puppy,” she said. “To replace your hounds,” she added when Regan remained silent.

Regan studied the thing in her hands. Tiny and white, with a pink bow on the top of its head, and small, beady black eyes that stared right back.

“It’s a poodle,” she said, not even attempting to keep the horror from her voice. Caleb snorted, and she turned to him with narrowed eyes, daring him to make a comment.

“Yes, well,” her mother replied, “I thought about replacing the hellhounds, but I saw this and—”

“Thought of me—wow, thanks.” The puppy swiped a warm wet tongue over her fingers, and Regan drew it close against her breast. It was really quite sweet.

“Have you got one for Caleb as well?” she asked.

“No. I have something else for him.”

She turned and gestured toward the forest. At first, Regan saw nothing, then a small, brown bird flew down from a low branch and settled on the ground at the edge of the trees. Regan raised an eyebrow. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again as the bird vanished, and a woman stood in its place. Tall and slender, with silver-blond hair hanging down to her waist, and sky-blue eyes. The same eyes as her son.

Next to her, Caleb’s whole body went rigid, his hand tightened in hers, and she glanced away from the woman to look at him. He was staring, a hungry, hopeful look in his eyes.

She squeezed his hand once, then tugged free. Placing her palm in the small of his back, she pushed gently.

“Go,” she whispered.

Caleb took a tentative step forward, then another until he was running toward the woman.

Regan glanced at her mother, who was standing, a small, self-satisfied smile curling her lips. “How did you find her?” Regan asked.

The Morrigan shrugged. “She was never lost. She just needed time to heal.”

Regan turned back to watch as Caleb came to an abrupt halt in front of the woman. Tension radiated from every cell of his body. Slowly he stretched out a hand, and Regan held her breath.Please.

And finally, his mother smiled and took his hand.

-The End-