Page 118 of The Last One Standing (Rogue X Ara #4)

ARA

Sixteen Years Later

S unshine spilled over the cliffside, calm waves rolling far below.

“We couldn’t ask for better weather,” Father said, his arm linked in mine.

My head tipped to the side with a thoughtful hum. “Thirteen years… How is that possible?”

Father chuckled. “Time passes quickly when you’re happy.”

I peeked at him, stifling a smile. A streak of gray ran through his hair now, matching his silver eyes, while Mother still had her vibrant auburn—a fact she teased him relentlessly for, though she loved that gray streak.

When he returned to us sixteen years ago, he came back the same age as Mother, so they finally had the chance to grow old together.

“I suppose it does,” I mused.

Giggling was my only warning before small arms wrapped around my legs from behind. I stumbled forward, and Father caught my arm.

“Sorry!” Mother said with a laugh. “Aldie is giving me a run for my money.”

Turning, I sank to my knees with a hand on my heavy belly.

“ My Aldie? Giving you a run for your money?” With a shake of my head, I kissed his forehead and winked at him. “No, I don’t believe it.”

He gave Mother a sly grin, his red eyes gleaming, and his small wings ruffled. At just three years old, he was already the spitting image of Rogue.

Mother scoffed, and Aldie took off running once again with his grandmother giving chase. I couldn’t remember ever seeing her this happy, but something about the smile on her face while she chased her grandson made my heart soar.

Inhaling a deep breath, I started to stand when that familiar smoky evergreen scent filled my lungs. Rogue slipped his hand into mine and helped me to my feet as Father chased after Mother.

Drakyth practically appeared out of thin air to chase after Father, who jumped with a startle and burst into laughter. Edana strolled over the hill with a quick wave to us before she joined them in Aldie’s game.

Rogue splayed a hand on my belly and cupped my cheek with the other, tipping my face to his. He kissed me once, twice, and a laugh bubbled in my throat.

He smiled against my lips. “It’s almost time.”

It was our daughter’s thirteenth birthday—her first shifting day.

I took his arm, scanning the cliffside as I breathed through the tight clench of my nerves in my gut.

Pacing at the ledge, with black hair down to her waist and stunning silver wings, was our birthday girl, Vaelora.

“How is she?” I asked.

He leaned down and whispered, “Nervous.”

As if hearing him, her silver eyes turned to us—to me.

I patted Rogue’s arm, and he kissed the top of my head before I went to Vaelora.

She bit her quivering lip, a sheen over her eyes. “Mama, I’m scared.”

“Oh, honey.” I threw my arms around her shoulders, and she let out a laugh at my awkward hug.

This damned belly always got in the way.

Pulling back, I tucked her hair behind her ears and cupped her cheeks.

“It’s natural to be scared of big changes.

The unknown is scary, but you’re brave. You always have been.

Besides, your father will be right there with you, every step of the way. He’ll guide you through it.”

She took a deep breath and nodded.

“Just imagine all the adventures you’ll have, all the new places you’ll explore. You’re about to experience a brand new world, Vael, and I’m so excited for you.” Tears burned my eyes, and I pulled her in for another hug before she could see them. “We’re so damned proud of you.”

A shadow blotted out the sun.

“Grandmother!” Vaelora shouted, releasing me to run after Iaso and Aurum.

Aurum had grown into a beast of a wyvern, larger than Guardian and as golden as Iaso’s finest jewelry. The ground shook as he landed and nudged Vaelora with his snout, his head bigger than her entire body.

Emerald silk blew around Iaso’s form as she climbed down. She spent most of her days with Ewan in the realm of the dead, where the two of them had built her a second greenhouse. They hadn’t managed to grow anything just yet, but Iaso remained confident it would happen one day.

Godrick visited them from time to time—usually for a fresh jar of honey from Iaso—but he passed the years with his wife, Emma, and their other daughter, Mother’s sister, Alivia.

Despite living there more often than not, Iaso kept a strong bond with her grandchildren, especially Vaelora.

I took a step toward them, and Rogue looped his arm through mine again. He never let me walk alone.

“You’ve become such a worrywart,” I teased.

“Only when your walking is reduced to a waddle. I don’t trust those legs.”

I glared at him, but my laughter betrayed me. “You try carrying one of your massive babies in your pelvis. Then you can talk to me of waddling.”

Rogue cupped my stomach, a wide grin on his face. “Nothing—and I mean nothing —makes me prouder than you carrying my ‘massive babies.’”

I shook my head and pulled him down for another kiss. “I know, love.”

Another shadow fell over us, and I knew exactly who it was when he landed, and a breath blew down my back.

I peeked over my shoulder. “Hello, Guardian.”

He huffed and turned his head so that I could meet his amber eye. I ran my hand over his long neck, and he sank to the ground with a low rumble.

Rogue let out a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes. “She was mine first.”

I chuckled and took Rogue’s hand, kissing each of his fingers. “First, last, and always.”

“Are we ready, Father?” Vaelora asked, hand in hand with Iaso.

Rogue quirked a brow. “I don’t know, baby. You tell me. Are we ready?”

Vaelora grinned and nodded.

She hugged me one more time as I called Aldie over. Mother and Father followed—but then, the pounding of horse hooves carried over the hillside.

I turned to see four horses, and atop them, Livvy, Lee, Rys, and their fifteen-year-old son.

“We didn’t miss it, did we?” Livvy shouted. “Oh, please, tell me we didn’t.”

Vaelora groaned. “Oh, Goddess, why is he here?”

“Well, we couldn’t very well leave him,” Livvy said as she hopped down from her horse. “He’d find a way to tear down half the castle before we returned. Not all kids are as sweet as you.”

Vaelora chuckled, but Nyk sneered.

Livvy gave her a tight hug. “We’re so proud of you.” With a squeal, she added, “I can’t wait to see what your dragon looks like.”

With that, Vaelora waved at me and joined Rogue on the ledge.

Nerves danced in my stomach—answered a moment later by the kick of tiny feet. I held my bump as Rogue spoke with our daughter and explained everything he’d already said a hundred times. Vaelora bounced impatiently, but even from here, I could see Rogue fighting tears.

Goddess, I love him.

Finally, Rogue covered them in a thick smoke screen.

My stomach twisted, and I closed my eyes, bracing for any sound of her pain…

But minutes passed, and none came.

I peeked one eye open.

A cry lodged in my throat.

Covering my mouth, I mumbled into my palm, “She’s gorgeous.”

Beside her massive dragon of a father, Vaelora looked impossibly small and elegant. As silver as her wings, her body shimmered in the sunlight, her veins glowing like streaks of lightning.

They both turned to me as I openly sobbed.

“Happy tears,” I choked out, waving them on. “Go, honey. Fly. Be free.”

She looked to Rogue, and he leapt from the ledge, diving before sweeping into a smooth glide over the sea.

Vaelora followed, a silver shadow trailing behind him.

As they disappeared on the distant horizon, Aldie brushed my leg with his wings. I sank to my knees and hugged him tight, smiling so hard it hurt. When he wound his little arms around my neck and laid his head on my shoulder, I drew in a deep breath, my heart swelling too big for my chest.

Once upon a time, I lived through books, chasing the feeling of more , searching for love and adventure and passion—but those stories always ended. They closed with a kiss or a battle won.

Not ours.

Our victory wasn’t the end.

It was just the beginning.

And our story…

Ours was, by far, my favorite.