Despite the summer heat, this glow felt comforting, soothing.
Healing.
The two kids beneath her arms stirred, and Lily heard gentle snores from each. She was certain that they would recover. The healing energy that was emanating from Merek was affecting the three of them too.
Now it was about Col and Aylwyn, and if that healing energy would be enough for them. She didn’t know how many times Aylwyn had been shot, but Col was already severely wounded before he took that bullet in the chest at close proximity.
In human form, which she remembered was more vulnerable than their wolf form. She kissed the tops of Brady’s and Clover’s heads, praying that Col and Aylwyn would open their eyes any second, jump to their feet and be as they were before the events of this afternoon. Was it too greedy to ask? She would ask anyway. She prayed even harder.
She’d do whatever it took. She was in love with him, something that she realized, and accepted, earlier when she thought she might never see him again.
But was it too late?
A movement caught her eye. It was Merek, lowering his arms, rising to his feet. The two wolves looked as if they were peacefully sleeping on the ground, their chests rising and falling with steady breaths.
Miller stood beside Tybalt, and together with Barric they all waited to hear what Merek would say.
Merek looked at her, but said for all to hear, “In their wolf forms, the healing is apace. It may take overnight, but both Waryeors shall be fit to fight whence the sun rises once more.”
“Thank God!” Lily exclaimed, her body limp with relief.
He would be fine! And whatever happened between them — they’d deal with that in the morning. But he would recover, and right this minute, that was all she wanted.
Barric then burst out laughing. “Good timing, Simon. You have arrived just in time to clean up the blood.”
Merek smirked. “Trouble finding parking?”
But the bespectacled man didn’t answer, shuffling like one drunk into Lily’s view. He dropped his hand from his chest, and Lily screamed.
There, in the center of his grey tee shirt was a red splotch, spreading fast.
Simon’s eyes rolled up, and he dropped to the ground in front of Lily.
Chapter Fifty-Six
“He must have caught a stray bullet,” Miller exclaimed, as both he and Merek immediately rushed to Simon’s prone form. Barric and Tybalt assumed defensive positions, facing outwards, protecting them as they attended to Simon.
Lily was shushing the children, who had stirred briefly at the sound of her scream. At the sound of her calm, reassuring noises, the two relaxed back into soft snoring.
She gently settled them into place so she could get up, and see what help she could offer with Simon.
Merek and Miller were on their knees by Simon, whose eyes were now shut. The older man was already slashing away at Simon’s bloody tee shirt, spreading it open just as Lily came up. Light hit the medallion that was revealed at Simon’s sternum, just above where blood was pumping out of a small, round hole.
Miller swore, and was about to push his hands on top of the wound to compress it when Merek suddenly made an unintelligible sound, pushing Miller’s hands away.
“What the—” Miller began, but Merek interjected.
“The healing energy of the War-Pack is being activated by an outside force.”
Tybalt had come up, and added his voice. “Give Merek leave to do as needs must.”
Miller and Lily exchanged looks, easing back warily. Merek had already closed his eyes, his hand reaching out over the medallion on Simon’s chest.
And Lily felt the same sensation before, although even more concentrated, perhaps because she was closer to it.
It swept over her, and her eyes widened. A dark shape crested from the hole in Simon’s chest, before springing out to hit the gravel. It was the bullet.
But Lily’s eyes remained glued to the bullet hole. The blood around it seemed to be drawn back in, and the edges slowly pulled together, knitting seamlessly into unbroken skin.
Next to it, the medallion shone. Simon’s eyes blinked open, and Miller exhaled loudly in relief.
“It’s a fucking miracle. How are you feeling, son?”
“Like I just woke up from a bad dream.” Simon said. His fingers sought his medallion, found it, and started tapping it.
Tybalt’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you get this medallion?”
Simon looked down, as his fingers stopped tapping. They wrapped around the piece of metal, as if seeking their comfort in a different way.
“I’ve had it since I was a child,” he said in a defensive tone. “I was wearing it the night that my parents were killed. I’ve been wearing it ever since, under my clothes the way Miller wears his ID tags.”
Miller looked apologetic. “It may have saved your life, son. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel ashamed to wear it.”
“Please, may I see it?” Tybalt asked.
“I as well,” Merek said. “It summoned the healing energy, and I must needs know how it came to do so.”
Simon unclasped his hand, and lay the medallion bare on his chest. All three wolves in human form crouched closer—
Lily did not know which one shouted, but a wave of energy, a shock of recognition shot through them. And the three sprang back.
“It is the symbol of The Shining One!”
“The living avatar of the Goddess!”
“She Who Grants Abundance.”
Tybalt’s tone was hushed. “Aurelia…”
All three sank down onto their knees in reverence.
“Y-you don’t have to bow down, guys,” Simon stammered. He had resumed tapping on the medallion once more.
“We are not kneeling before you, doofus,” Barric growled.
“It is the symbol you wear upon your chest. The symbol of The Sorceress Queen to whom we dedicate our lives and service,” Merek added.
Tybalt remained silent. And beside him the two sleeping wolves stirred, as if in response to the revealed symbol. A shimmer enveloped them, and Lily felt a familiar pulse of energy beat against her, as both the human forms of Col and Aylwyn took their place.
Awake.
Col’s eyes found hers immediately, and she rushed to his side, as he rose to his feet with increasing steadiness.
“Destine,” he said, his arms drawing her into his chest. His lips found hers, and all seemed to fade away, outside of where they were joined together, the little universe created by their kiss.
When at last they broke apart, Lily looked into his beautiful hazel eyes, eyes that she had feared she would never see filled with life again.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “You’re hurt because of me.”
His arms tightened around her. “I would gladly bear a thousand wounds for you. My heart beats for you, Acchushla.”
“Acchushla.” She repeated the syllables softly. “What does that mean?”
“In the language of my tribe, it means beloved.” Her head jerked up, unwilling to believe her ears. The gold specks in his hazel eyes seemed to dance, as his next words came out clearly, distinctly.
“It means I love you, my Lily.”
Her heart filled with so much happiness, she thought it would burst. The words spilled out, she could no longer hold them in.
“I love you, Col.”
They heard the collected sound of applause and cheers from the five gathered round. Even Simon was now on his feet, the medallion displayed proudly in the center of his bare chest, clapping his hands.
“I’m so happy for you, Col, Katie.”
Lily looked at each of them. “I can finally let all of you know. Katie’s my mother’s name. It would mean so much to me if you would all call me by my real name, Lily.”
“My Lily,” Col growled, his arm wrapped around Lily possessively.
There were some questions popping in the air, before someone’s voice cut through the chattering. “Let her spea
k.” It was Miller.
The boys all quieted, although Simon had a smile on his face, as if he had already known. Perhaps he had, from whatever Lily had said in the car last night, or from the various resources that Simon was able to tap into. It didn’t matter. All the barriers were down, the need for concealment over.
“I’m sorry I had to hide my real name, but I was running from my ex. And he was killed last night.” Lily swallowed, thinking of Rey’s broken body on the floor of the shop. “Killed by the man who apparently wanted to use me, to get information on the five of you.”
“The male that we sought.” Col growled, and the other wolves growled in response.
“We can do a full debrief back at the house,” Simon said, pushing his glasses up. “But the important thing is, Lily, you no longer have to run.”
“Aye.” Col looked at her intently. “That means you can stay. Do you wish to stay, my Lily?”
She had seven pairs of eyes on her, waiting to hear what she would say. It was true. With Rey’s death, she could finally stop running. Set down roots where, to be honest, she was already building strong ties. Indeed, it had seemed that the Fates themselves had conspired to bring her here, to this moment, to this man.
Or maybe not Fate, but Destiny.
“He has shed blood for her,” Merek said.
“And I for him,” Lily spoke up, thinking of how she had fought with Jordy. She’d take on an army of Jordys for him. She knew her answer. But before she could give it, Barric’s voice rumbled forth.
“And thus the mate-bonding is complete, if the Destine wouldst but speak her assent.”
Col immediately dropped to one knee before her, and clasped her hand in his, dropping a soft kiss on the back of it.
“My Lily. Wouldst you bestow upon me the honor of being formally recognized as mine Destine? I wouldst pledge unto you mine heart, mine life and all that is mine to give. Although in truth, you already have the totality of it in keeping.”
Although her throat tightened with joy, she didn’t hesitate to respond wholeheartedly. “Yes, Col. A thousand times yes!”
“Can I be the flower girl?”
They all looked over, to where Clover and Brady had regained consciousness. Miller was already on his way to remove the duct tape bindings from their arms, and together, they all laughed with sheer happiness, in the aftermath of battle where the Waryeors had fought with honor and emerged to fight again another day.
In the distance, Tybalt’s lips moved silently and formed a single word. Destine.
His eyes were on Simon’s medallion.
Epilogue
It was a fairy tale of a ceremony, taking place at dusk on the Fairegrounds, under a large, open air pavilion that had been decorated with over a thousand twinkling fairy lights. The string quartet played classical arrangements of songs by Nightwish, Kamelot, and other bands that Barric had introduced to Lily, that she knew Col enjoyed.
Lily kept blinking, wanting to pinch herself that this wasn’t a dream. But the gorgeous man that stood in front of her, who had just pledged in front of all of their friends and family-by-choice in attendance, to love, honor and cherish her forever, was all too real, and the look on his face was one that she would be waking up to every day from now on.
“I love you,” he said again, in that voice that reverberated through her and made her curl her toes. He was so breathtakingly handsome, in the dark suit and tie that he had worn on the night that was supposed to be their first date. Instead, it was now the first night of their lives together. Forever.
One of Rika’s new assistant hires had taken on Lily and Col’s hand fasting ceremony as his very first event planning project for the Faire, working in tandem with a team hand-picked by Puma. And he outdid himself, proving not only why he was a good hire, but how Rika would soon be able to step up to her promotion. She, along with Puma, would be formally in charge of running the Faire day to day, and continuing to adjust to the rapid growth in attendance and Faire offerings. But Rika still insisted in handling certain things personally.
She was the one who went with Lily to shop for her dress for the ceremony, and the lingerie underneath.
Undercover Frills had a new owner, the previous one deciding to move back to the “safer” environs of New York City, where her next venture would be in the same building that housed a security specialist firm. Lily finally had her shopping spree, all part of Simon’s continuing generosity.
Rika had also taken care of disposing of Lily’s broken-down car, as Simon gifted her with the red car that he had lent her. He had wanted to buy her a much fancier car, but she had politely refused, with a caveat that she be allowed to take the Lamborghini out for an occasional spin.
And Lily would be working for Rika, as the new Director of Children’s Programming. She would finally be able to implement many ideas that she had and continued to envision, but for all kids that came to the Faire, in addition to the ones in the Staff Childcare Center. And she would always build in time to work with kids directly. After all, the twins racing about the pavilion in their flower girl and ring-bearer clothes had much to do with her finding new purpose here at the Faire.
Rosa, fully recovered, came up to her. The twins’ mother looked lovely in her turquoise dress, another thing that Rika had handled personally. Rosa and the twins had found fully stocked closets with new clothes in the housing that Rika had arranged for them on the Fairegrounds.
“I have to thank you again, Ka-Lily.” Rosa stumbled over the name, as did most people once they had heard, but that would take time. Besides, hearing her mother’s name made it feel like she was there with them in celebration. Her mother would have loved Col, and in fact, “Katie Cooper” had brought her to him.
“I’m the one that needs to thank you, Rosa. For trusting me with Brady and Clover. I know for a fact that they are really missed at the house.”
The twins’ peals of laughter reached them over the music, and both women turned to see that Barric had hoisted Brady onto his shoulders, and Merek had Clover on his. Tybalt was to the side as some sort of referee, except he was surrounded by those drawn to his movie-star looks. The kids were swiping at one another with foam swords that more often than not, seemed to narrowly miss hitting the boys’ faces. Or maybe that was intentional on Merek and Barric’s parts.
“I hope they realize that the twins had several helpings of the wedding cake and ice cream,” Rosa laughed. Lily joined in, imagining the boys’ reactions if the twins threw up on them.
Rosa turned back to Lily. “I actually have a new thing to thank you for.”
Lily’s brows lifted, and the woman with Clover’s features continued. “I went to thank Mr. Simon for everything —the new apartment, the new furniture and clothing — and he offered me a new job.”
Was Rosa taking over Lily’s job of coaching the boys? It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but Rosa explained.
“Five days a week, preparing lunch and dinner at Mr. Simon’s house for all of you. A lot of the times it’ll just be coordinating food from the Staff Caff with Karen and bringing it over. I’ll only work from 11 - 7 and I’ll still be considered a full-time Faire employee. And Mr. Simon said I can have Brady and Clover there from time to time. In fact, he said something about how he hoped I would.”
Lily threw her arms around Rosa in a congratulatory hug. “That is wonderful! I am so excited! You’ll get to spend more time with Brady and Clover.”
They had rebounded with their natural resilience from their adventure with the “mean people.”
“Meeting you has really changed our lives for the better,” Rosa said. She squeezed Lily’s hand. “You have a wonderful man there. You deserve to be happy.”
Lily’s eyes were shining as Rosa left, making a beeline for her kids before an imminent disaster took place.
A familiar voice caught Lily’s attention. Lucie pounced on her from the side. “You are totally forgiven for not having me as a Maid of Honor, girl! Wow. So. Much. H
otness.”
“Let me guess — you met Aylwyn?”
“That blond hunkamunka? How’d you guess? I can’t believe you were hiding out here, like Snow White and the 7 Hunks!”
Lily laughed at her best friend’s exuberance. She had missed it, and maybe, just maybe, she could introduce Lucie to Rika with all the new jobs opening up at the Faire. It would be wonderful to have her best friend here, but even if she didn’t move, she could now plan on frequent visits.
Especially when the cubs arrived. She wasn’t sure yet, but there was a tiny stirring within her. That feeling that just when she thought she couldn’t be happier, her body was in fact making room for an even greater joy.
And she wondered if they would have auburn fur when they changed.
“Hello, Earth to blushing bride!” Lucie was laughing. “I’ve been talking non-stop for the last five minutes. Of course—” Col was headed their way, “being married to that hunk o’ handsome would probably take up all of my attention too.”
Lily smiled as her mate — her husband — joined them. He had welcomed Lucie, thanking her for her role in escaping from Rey, after having heard all the details. He was similarly warm to TraceyAnn, and Luna, and Puma, and Gabe, and Karen, and everyone else from the Faire who had been invited to witness their vows.
Looking around, nestled against his solid chest, she basked in the celebration and love of all who were gathered. She heard the heart beating of the magnificent male who held her close, would always hold her close.
It was their destiny.
The house was gorgeous, an architectural wonder built with reclaimed wood from the surrounding forest. It was quiet, deceptively tranquil and humming with an energy that did not afflict him with the malaise he had recently encountered. Pity that he was too agitated at the moment to appreciate it.
Cadmus sat on a hardback chair in the immense foyer where he had been asked to wait, shifting his weight in the unforgiving seat. Beside him was the garment bag he had hastily packed, in his rush to answer the summons.
Col: His Destined Mate Page 40
