Page 69 of Of Rime and Ruin (Sirens of Adria #2)

Epilogue

Submerge.

Swim.

Scent.

Today, we’ll reopen the royal city of Doloch. A new era begins.

The Rime vibrates with anticipation, and I can taste the excitement in the water.

Electric, almost.

The same excitement runs through my body, from horns to tail.

My muscles flex with ease and my body revels in the slick glide of water over my scales.

I missed this form. That my king-self ever sought to destroy it feels blasphemous now. Unthinkable. This body is as much mine as the soft skin I wear on the shore.

The king’s memories are as clear to me now as the water before my eyes—our shared memory restored, thanks to Nahla’s spell.

I am the Frost King, I am the Beast, and I burst in gratitude for the siren who made me whole.

Nahla squeezes me, small fingers curling around my thumb. Her hair sprawls in a voluminous halo around her face, eyes bright and happy. Her lips part, letting the tune of her spell flow as she maintains the soft connection between our minds.

Nahla’s emotions mix with mine—nervousness, delight, and hope. We pass them to each other as easily as water through our gills.

How did I get so lucky?

My Sunfish.

My mind-mate.

My queen.

She’s everything I dreamed of and more.

And I’m bringing her home.

The gates to the city have been cleaned up for the celebration. The pikewhale statues on either side of the gate are free of glacierweed, buffed and shined to their former glory. A wide ribbon stretches between their horns.

The whole kingdom is here. They line the entrance, treading on either side to clear a path for us to swim through. Cheers break out as they spot our approach.

Nahla’s grip on my finger tightens, and a wave of nerves brushes against my mind.

I speak to her, Are you ready for this?

Yes , she says. It’s all so beautiful. I can’t believe it’s mine.

I focus on her face, memorizing the soft crest of her cheeks, the tiny bubbles clinging to her eyelashes, the curve of her mouth. I pass my gaze over the length of her golden tail. My stomach clenches, cock hardening each time she flicks her hips.

Mine . I echo her sentiment, relishing the word as it soaks through my being. She’s so beautiful, and she’s mine.

Nahla gasps as the strength of my thought enters her mind. She glances sideways, catching my eye as she blushes deeply.

Shit , she says. You can’t say that right now. We have an audience .

I rumble my disagreement. The sound ricochets through the water, and the crowd grows silent, oblivious to our mental exchange.

We stop before the ribbon. I’m supposed to cut it with my claws, signifying the opening of the city. Nahla rests her hand on my wrist as I move into position. One snip of my claws, and I can whisk her away to our new bedroom. I can tie her into our hammock bed, secure her as I ravish—

They’re waiting on you , she prods with amusement.

I shake my head, dismissing the tempting thoughts. Right. That comes later.

As I turn to address the crowd, I clear my throat. I’ve been practicing speaking aloud in this form, teaching my tongue to form the words. I’m still clumsy, but it will get better with time.

“Welcome,” I bellow. My voice rumbles across the crowd like wind on the waves. “Welcome back to your home.”

I snip the ribbon with my claws, and the crowd cheers. The gates open, and we swim through, hand in hand.

How did I do?

Pride floats through our connection. She’s bursting with it. You did great, Beasty.

I sigh, flipping onto my back, and I tug her onto my stomach. I paddle us backward, lazily meandering through the open spaces. Above us, sunlight filters through the ice, like glitter falling from above.

Nahla curls up on my chest, humming her quiet content. With a gentle claw, I tilt her chin so I can look into her eyes.

Welcome home, Nahlani, Queen of Frost.