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Epilogue

Alliana

The future…

Iwoke up and gazed out the window in my bedroom as I did every morning. The beautiful mountain countryside of Zunator was awake too and thriving, ready to greet me with the warm yellow sun that filtered in through the windows. Beams of radiant light shone down on the bed, splashing a refreshing canopy of color across my legs.

Shuffled movements came from the kitchen. I sighed contentedly and folded my hands in my lap. I sank my head and shoulders into the plush pillows and relaxed, appreciating every moment I was alive to enjoy the blissful heaven of my surroundings.

King Crencik had rewarded Xaixek handsomely for his bravery and his service to his colony. The reward Xaixek received was one for which we both could reap the benefits. King Crencik had granted Xaixek an enormous plot of land sitting atop a mountain on the eastern side of the colony overlooking the outer lands where he had first given me chase and where we first fell in love.

The panoramic views on the property were something to be envied. The splendor of the sunsets was so magnificent and wholesome that I never grew tired of them. Each one was different than the next—always captivating, always awe inspiring. Xaixek had structured our pod house for us with his bare hands, along with some of the local neighbors. We’d even incorporated some of Roult’s metal centerpieces into he landscape outside. All of the neighbors were jealous, so we started making other pieces in spare time to sell at the market.

I loved every serene minute of this new life. We were aligned with peace and tranquility. I had Xaixek’s protection, and that was all that mattered. He treated me like I was his queen, a behavior that I found both promising and reassuring in our relationship.

The bedroom panels were parted and Xaixek came inside. He came with a platter of angelfruit and bread on a tray.

I sat up and grinned. “What’s all this?”

“This, my love,” Xaixek said as he perched the tray of food on the bedside table, “is your anniversary breakfast in bed.”

“Anniversary? I thought those only happened at the one year mark,” I said, picking a slice of angelfruit of the tray and devouring it.

“In Zunator, we celebrate our anniversaries whenever we like,” he said, kissing me.

My heart fluttered at his good memory. I smiled, yielding to his kisses and gentle caresses. “Thank you for the treats and happy anniversary, my love.”

Xaixek glanced down at my swollen belly with an affectionate glaze over his eyes. He tenderly cupped his massive hands over the round mound and gave it a slight press.

He lifted his gaze and shot me a curious look. “Has he been active and kicking you yet this morning?”

I chuckled. “He? How do you know that our baby is a he?”

Xaixek shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. I am just guessing. Call it a hunch. I will say that once an old man told me that I’d have four sons. I was a young bounty hunter then. Just getting started. I looked at him and laughed. I never thought I could even have such happiness.”

“Oh, Xaixek…” I placed my hand on his cheek and smoothed my palm against it, his knuckles arching over my palms. “I doubted my future too years ago, but I don’t anymore. Whatever is in store for us, I’m game. Even if that means four rowdy Xaixek look-alikes running around here.”

“Or four fiesty Alli-cats, because, you know, we could end up having all girls.”

I rolled my eyes, exhaled, and sunk all the way down the bed.

“I love you.” He lightly pressed on my belly to get our baby to move.

“I love you, too.”

Xaixek held up a juicy piece of melon that he’d sliced for me. He popped it into my mouth and then kissed me.

“How does it taste?” He whispered, giving me a tantalizing stare.

“Yummy, just like you,” I said.

Xaixek beamed. “Do you need anything else? For you or the baby?”

I shook my head. “I was just looking out the window before you came in the bedroom. I was thinking about how lucky we were.”

“Don’t think of it as luck,” Xaixek countered. “We earned this.”

“We have so much to look forward to,” I said and roped my arms around my stomach, hugging my child close. I couldn’t wait to hold him or her physically.