by Lexi Ander
Epilogue
Tristan Janick
Three years later…
I sat on the porch that wrapped around the house, grateful for the shade. The pups played on the side yard between the house and horse barn. Stan and Theo had arrived earlier with Justus, Neoma, and Dawn. The night I'd confronted the president… That first year after coming out had been difficult. We'd traveled around the world, meeting various leaders from Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and South America with mixed, but largely positive results. The relations between the U.S. government and me was touch and go. Outside the fanatics, the majority of the citizens didn't have problems with us. That someone of royal personage lived in their country charmed many. The fact was that humans struggled with their own changing world and were preoccupied with surviving each other.
The magic awakening was a blessing in disguise. The humans eventually turned to us for help. Fortunately, those who could already wield magic had an existing governing system. The treaty with King Ignatius of the True Bloods strengthened the ties between our two people. Together we offered our support to the human witches, helping them to unveil their existence. Between us and the witches, we became a beacon of hope in a world quickly evolving.
Sanctuary had moved itself to the north of the ranch. We could reach it on foot, a decent walk from the main house. Stan and Theo continued to live there with their pups, greeting and caring for people who wandered into the city searching for the Blood Trinity. The humans were unaware Sanctuary was even there, but the city pulled in questing paranormals of all kinds nonetheless.
At the moment, Justus and Neoma were playing with my rambunctious twins, Ramsey and Little Brian. Atar was content to follow Corey around, hand fisted in Corey's jeans, talking up a storm. Dawn had come over to sit with me, a secretive smile on her lips as she snuggled next to me.
At only twelve years old, Justus was huge. He had the potential to grow into one of the largest Lycan warriors ever. Randy sat on the porch steps watching with a fond smile. After our defeat of Inanna, Randy's recovery had been bolstered by visits to Sanctuary. He was once again the robust man who'd once been my ranch foreman but was now simply family.
Gregori and his bond brothers wouldn't be able to come, but the Magis Jynx, Devlin, and Nacht were on their way. Jynx had called to let me know that as soon as Becca woke from her nap, Nacht would bring them over. It was hard to believe little Becca was three years old. Her adoption by those three was one of the bright spots following the fall of Inanna and Marduk.
"That is not how…" Randy rose and crossed the yard to where Ushna was attempting to teach Brian how to ride. Brian fell off—hard—and I stifled a laugh. The man had deadly grace flying in dragon form, but put him on a horse and he turned into a klutz.
"Your sister is coming down the drive," reported my guard.
Two years ago today, I'd walked Neesie down the aisle, giving her hand to Lonnie Fowler. This day was also the anniversary of our victory over Inanna and Marduk, as well as the day we'd lost Nathan. As the anniversary of our independence, our people held great celebrations on this day every year. Privately, our family had a day of remembrance and celebrated Neesie's anniversary. This would be the first time I'd seen her since she'd announced her pregnancy. Grinning, I rose from my seat, running my hand over the not yet noticeable swell of my stomach. I had news of my own to share with her.
"Uncle Tristan, look." Dawn pointed to the well-worn track leading to Sanctuary. There, walking toward us, was a tall, cloaked individual. The material was an iridescent blue very near the color worn by Vikrum, but more colorfully flashy.
Entranced, I stumbled down the steps, pushing my Stetson back as if the motion would help me to see the face hidden by the hood. When hands lowered the cowl I lost my breath, afraid to believe my eyes. The person was both foreign and familiar. Thigh-high black boots, dark pants, and a bright white linen shirt encased the body of a man I achingly recognized. When he raised his head to gaze at me, all my doubts fled. I moved without conscious thought, feeling as if I dreamed. If I didn't, then please Goddess… I drank in the sight of the face that looked so much like mine, no one would guess we were cousins instead of the brothers we were raised to be. His dark brown hair flopped into his eyes and he pushed it back, his grin so fucking shy.
I ran.
I ignored the questions and calls to stop. Nothing was getting between me and him. And when I reached him, I crushed him to me and lifted him off his feet. His laughter, so light and carefree, was the catalyst, tearing down the walls I'd erected around the ever-present pain of losing him. When I said his name, the only sound that came out was a sob. I couldn't stop, and when he squeezed me so tight I thought I'd split in half, the dam broke.
Even from across the yard, I heard Neesie loud and clear. "Oh my God! Nathan?"
Reluctantly setting him on his feet, I moved to the side but still keeping ahold of him afraid that if I let go he'd disappear. Neesie was holding her rounded belly as she moved as quickly as possible. Her embrace was much more gentle than mine had been, but she was crying as hard as I was. After that everybody converged on us, talking over each other as they greeted Nathan.
Justus shouldered his way to the front and looked up at Nathan with such… admiration. Even as his expression turned wary. "Are you mad?"
My heart cracked a little bit. No matter how many times I reassured Justus nothing that happened that day was his fault, he still carried a seed of doubt.
Nathan grabbed Justus in a hard embrace. "You were perfect. You saved Little Brian just as I needed you to." Justus nodded into Nathan's chest and I hoped Justus's fear had been put to rest.
Throughout the day, neither Neesie nor I moved from Nathan's side. "I can't believe you're here," I said after we'd gorged ourselves on the feast the warriors cooked.
"How could I stay away when both you and Neesie are going to have pups." The stress lines were gone from his eyes and mouth. I looked forward to hearing where he'd been. From the looks of him, he'd found a good place to rest. The thought gladdened me because the last image I had of him… He deserved his own happiness outside our family, and I hoped he'd found it.
Leaning heavily against my brother, I looked around the picnic tables packed with friends and family. Ushna held Little Brian, wiping at the catsup that dripped from Little Brian's chin. Jynx and Nacht sat on either side of Devlin who held their daughter, Becca. The ends of her dark, curly hair spotted with cool whip. When Jynx attempted to clean the mess, her giggle made everyone smile, especially her daddies who she had wrapped around her finger. Further down, Stan whispered into Theo's ear, causing Theo's cheeks to turn pink. On the other side of Stan sat Randy, Jory, and Bixx. Though Randy conversed with Bixx and Jory, he grinned fondly when his gaze searched for Justus where he sat with his sisters, Dawn and Neoma. Unsurprisingly, Justus watched Nathan with stars in his eyes. Across from me, Brian fed Ramsey, not caring how messy the two of them ended up. Atar sat between Brian and Corey watching Corey fill a small plate with all his favorite foods. I didn't know why Corey bothered; Atar would be eating off Corey's plate before the meal was finished.
I missed Gregori's bright face and looked forward to when he'd return with his circle. If all went well, they would arrive in a week or two. Warriors sat at the outer tables so that they were on the perimeter, keeping us within their protective circle. Though they were vigilant, they still celebrated with us, those not on duty toasting to the memory of the battle that had freed us all.
Nathan's soft chuckle as he passed Dawn the potato salad made my eyes prick with grit. The ranch yard was filled with happy chatter, bursts of laughter ringing out time and again. I was immeasurably blessed to have each and every one of them in my life. They were instrumental in teaching me something. I didn't have to do everything myself, I could trust them to do what I could not. Discovering that if I screwed up, I could still count on my brothers to have my back. Together, united, we were stronger than if we were on our own
. Without them, the battle with Inanna and Marduk would have been a dismal failure.
Stan and Theo taught me to look under the surface. How we could be imperfect and make mistakes but we were still worthy of forgiveness and love. Stan had believed he missed his chance to serve his king, but even though he thought he'd gone astray, he had been exactly where he was needed.
Brian had persevered in his belief in the three of us, even when others looked at him sideways and claimed he was wrong. Ushna was stronger than Brian and I combined. His unwavering, silent support tethered me to this Earth and his love woke me up. Neesie, and even Lonnie, taught me that being an ordinary Lycan didn't mean they weren't strong or deadly. Corey and Nathan taught me about true sacrifice. They both loved me beyond my comprehension and I hoped I would always be worthy of that love.
The coming years would reshape the world. Ushna, Brian, and I would watch our children grow up without the same worries as the previous generations of the royal bloodline. We were no longer hunted and murdered. Glancing at Atar, I wasn't under the illusion all would be fair skies. There would come a time my children would face an evil not born of this plane. But we had time yet before that worry would take precedence. Ramsey and Little Brian would take over the Seat of Zeev on their thirty-fifth birthday. In my estimation, they would still be too young. I was their father; they would always be too young. At the thought, my dragon rose to the surface and looked out of my eyes, rumbling out a satisfied, possessive mine before settling back again.
Making myself give up my grip on Nathan, I crossed to where Ushna and Brian stood, watching the sun sink into the sky. Putting my arm around their waists, I grinned up at them. A heavy burden had been lifted with Nathan's return, and suddenly I felt light on my feet. Brian's gaze blazed with hunger and Ushna rumbled into my ear.
I had witnessed unparalleled loyalty, sacrifice, forgiveness, redemption, second chances, loss, bonds of friendship that were just as strong as familial bonds, and so much love. Whatever else came our way, I was positive of one fact; my life was blessed beyond compare.
Sumeria's Sons Fin
About the Author
Lexi has always been an avid reader and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother's romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her 80 lbs. puppies named after vacuum cleaners.
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