Page 140 of A Warrior's Heart

“Speaking of James,” Malik said, placing a hand on his dagger. “Has he given you any reason yet to doubt his loyalty?”

“Not at all.” Lorcan turned from the window. “A part of me will always doubt his intentions, but he’s proven himself to be a close ally over the course of this past year. He wishes to visit the island soon.”

“We will welcome him warmly then,” Alek said, kissing Lorcan on the cheek. “But if he thinks to charm you, I might be forced to use transfiguration and make him hideously ugly.”

“I’d pay good coin to see that,” Malik said.

I shot him a look, and he smirked.

Later that evening, Malik and I walked hand in hand down the path toward our home. The moon shone bright above us, and I stopped to admire it. The comforting glow quieted my mind and filled me with a soothing warmth.

“Look!” I exclaimed, pointing. “A shooting star.”

Malik pulled me into his arms. “What will you wish for?”

I thought for a moment. “I have all that I need or want. You, our beautiful home, and peace with the humans. I’ve never been happier.”

“You asked me once what I would wish for, and I told you nothing came to mind.” Malik cupped my cheek. “But as I stand here with you, my husband, I wish that this beautiful life we’ve built together never ends. I want to fall asleep every night with you in my arms and wake each morning the same way. I never want to know a life where you’re not by my side.”

“You ass.” My vision blurred with tears. “You’re making me cry.”

A raspy chuckle left him before he pressed his lips to mine.

As we kissed beneath the moonlit sky, I wondered if maybe I had a bit of magic in me after all. My dreams had come true. Whether we lived in the sea or on land, my home was right there with Malik.

And I would spend the rest of my life loving him.

THE END