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EPILOGUE

MARREX

Years later

I found myself in the soft glow of dusk, sitting on a deep and wide ledge a handful of feet below our cave’s entrance, watching the playful chaos of our little ones running around, but not too close to the edge. They tested out their little wings, rising up for a few moments before they fell to the ground and laughed.

Our hybrid children—creatures more like me than their mother—filled my life with so much happiness and contentment that it was insurmountable. They bore Freydis’s softness in their facial features, yet they inherited my formidable strength, wings, claws, and silvery skin. I knew they’d be just as big and powerful as me, but their demeanor was very much like that of my sweet, gentle mate.

Their small but strong wings carried them high and low as they continued to practice. I watched intently in case they needed help, but I stayed back and let them learn.

I felt the cool evening air wash over me, and a few minutes later, Freydis exited the cave above, a smile curving her lips.

“Dinner’s ready.” Her beautiful eyes softened when she peeked over and saw me and then our children.

Our eldest, a son we named Ragga, hurried over to his little sister Lotti. He grabbed her hand, and they ran toward their mother. My heart softened and a tenderness filled me as I watched her smile down at our children.

Freydis ran her hand through Ragga’s shock of wild, dark hair when he flapped his wings and then landed on both feet next to her. Lotti smiled up at her mother with wide, determined eyes and attempted a clumsy flight up to her. As I let out the breath I held when my little girl finally plopped on her bottom right beside my mate, I chuckled at how sweet the sight was as they all laughed.

I flew to my female and our kids and held them all tightly, whispering into Freydis’s hair, “You have given me more than I ever dared to imagine.” I cupped the back of her head and pulled her tighter against me. Ragga and Lotti squirmed out of my grasp and ran into the cave.

“And I feel the same, Marrex. You know that.”

A low, primal growl rumbled from deep within me as I cradled her close. I carried her through the cave and then into our home, where dinner was waiting. The soft laughter of our children reached my ears even before I saw them.

Inside our lair, Ragga and Lotti ate berries out of a bowl, their carefree giggles always so soothing to my brutal and savage heart.

Carrying Freydis close, I felt the weight of the protection and love I had for these three beings. They were my everything.

I set her down and watched her settle beside the fire, her eyes softening as she pulled our children in close and stole little berries out of the bowl, causing Ragga and Lotti to squeal in delight.

There, amid the glow of the fire and the murmurs of our children and my perfect mate, I thanked whatever God or gods looked down on me with such favor. With Freydis by my side and the need to care for my family always paramount, I vowed that I would face any challenge that came our way.

I would destroy anything that tried to take this from me.