Page 142 of The Beast King's Bride

EPILOGUE

ASH

“So he carried you away and you instantly fell in love with his manly growling voice and sexy body?” Pete is saying, waving a roasted chicken wing around, his cheeks ruddy from the warmth of the fireplace and the heady Fae wine.

“I’m right here, human,” Talen growls softly. He turns to me. “My love, should I have him thrown out so we can finish our dinner in peace?”

I smirk at Pete’s indignant look. “Let him stay, my king. He’s still shaken from the journey to the Fae world.”

“You haven’t answered my question,” Pete grumbles.

“I told you everything back when we were in the human world.” I almost said, “when we were home,” but it had never felt like one away from Talen. “And fine, to answer your silly question, I didn’t instantly fall in love.”

Talen leans back, watching me, a shadow in his deep blue eyes. Poe the raven flutters his wings, sitting on the tall back of Talen’s chair, watching us as well with his gleaming eyes.

“I didn’t fall in love with his manly growly voice and sexy body, well, not right away.” I nudge Talen with my elbow, wink, and he relaxes. This thing, this bond between us is still new and I should mind what I say not to hurt it. “But I fell in love with his kindness and his stubbornness and his efforts to please me, make me comfortable. Make me happy.”

The Seneschal who is sitting a few seats down at the long table, at the head of which we have two ornate throne-like chairs, nods at me with a smile and raises his cup.

I raise mine back. The Seneschal is back, and to my great pleasure so is Embar. Sheedra, my tutor, is sitting next to the Seneschal, laughing at something a pretty Fae girl with long red hair is saying.

Turns out Talen had sent those he cared for away, to protect them—except for Jassin who’d held on with tooth and nail, refusing to leave his side.

Everything is returning to normal, falling back into place. Talen’s family has been freed, he’s told me, and one of these days they will ride to the capital to meet with us. I know Talen is both excited and tense about the reunion. I hope that I won’t have to kick his family in the ass. They’d better treat him well.

After all, despite what he thinks, he is the reason that his kingdom still stands. He may have made the deal with the Empress but then he gave all he had into lifting the curse. And who’s to say that the Empress wouldn’t have snared any of his brothers, had they been the ones the throne had chosen? I truly doubt they’d have worked so hard, regardless of personal cost, to keep the land alive to the end.

“And you, human?” Talen rumbles, turning to my friend. “Did you fall in love with someone?”

“My name is Pete,” my buddy says testily. “Not human.”

“Pete,” Talen says and I love him for not punching my friend in the teeth. After all, Pete has been in this mood all evening. “Tell us.”

“My love life is my private business.”

“Come on, Pete.” I throw a crumb at him. “He was in love,” I tell Talen. “But his mate passed away. He swore never to love another woman.”

“Hey, hey.” Pete glares at me. “That is my story.”

“I don’t want Talen beating you to a pulp thinking you’re making sweet eyes at me.” I stick my tongue out at him.

“Oh.” He throws Talen an uncertain look. Despite his bravado and teasing, I can tell he’s out of sorts, and not only because we are in Faerie.

“And now,” I go on, “Pete’s interested in one of your kind.”

Poe caws with amusement.

Talen frowns. “I thought you said he swore not to love another woman—”

“Ash,” Pete protests.

“It’s not a woman he’s interested in,” I say and lift my hands. “Stopping right here, all right, Pete?”

“You’d better.”

“Besides, Talen knows already about Jassin.”

“You’re a rotten friend, Ash,” Pete mutters and throws a gnawed bone at me. “Betraying me like this.”

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