Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
There are hot tears running down my cheeks as he says those things. They are not just sweet words of affirmation; they are words that make me feel seen and tell me that I am truly understood. Rafe knows me. Einar knows me. Kirin knows me. They all know me in different ways, through their own lenses, but they each see a part of me nobody has before. They love me. I know it. I feel it. And most of all, I trust it.
EPILOGUE
Einar
“Director, the new girls are causing some difficulties in the combat classes.”
It takes a moment to remember that the instructor is talking to me, as I am now the director of the King’s Guard Academy, appointed directly by the absolute brat of a king who I love with all my heart.
Darcy loves the fact that I go to the academy every day. She loves the fact that I now train those who escaped the late king’s harem to use their wolf powers and wiles for their own ends.
My little royal mate likes to pretend she has no interest in or talent for governance, but she does what matters, over and over again. Every single child born to those in the royal harem, and every single member of that group has been compensated generously for all they suffered.
I have a lot of angry, spoiled, directionless royal blood in this academy. Darcy likes to say she likes my ire directed at them instead of her, but I ensure my mate continues to get the discipline she needs.
Kirin
“A little to the left, please, Prince Kirin. Head up. Yes. Perfect. Brilliant!”
I don’t know how many photo shoots I’m going to have to do, but I know there aren’t ever going to be enough for the absolutely ravenous press who besiege my office on all sides with requests.
Another wife might be jealous of the fact that I get so much attention, but Darcy is one of the most secure people I’ve ever met. She loves me with a sweetness I know she rarely shows anybody else, not even her other mates. With me, she is soft and she is gentle and she believes in romance.
My possessiveness has not waned, but I am prepared to allow the others to share her. They have, after all, done the work. We didn’t just get Darcy. We earned her. And I, for one, intend to keep earning her every day of my life.
Rafe
“Your majesty, the plans for the new aqueduct are underway, and there are representatives from the Nile Corporation here to see you.” One of the palace courtiers is in front of me, carrying an armload of scrolls and such.
“Of course. I will review the plans this afternoon. Show the Nile people into the interview chamber.”
My days are spent in matters of royal business, which I alone take an active interest in. I am the king’s personal advisor, the prince regent, as designated by Darcy. I am the power of the throne, and she ensures everybody knows it.
It’s a smart move, protects her from would-be political assassinations. People know that if anything happens to Darcy, they will have me and my blood brothers to deal with. There will be no such thing as mercy in that instance. Our obsessive love for the new monarch is well documented and understood. I hope that this configuration of lovers will bring much needed stability to Eclipse for years to come.
Darcy
“You’re late,” Clint grunts as I stroll into the D2G office.
“Sorry,” I say. “There was the coronation, and then the three weddings.”
He grunts, fishes underneath the desk, and pulls out two sheets of paper. “Fill in these absence reports,” he says, barely bothering to look at me. “Then we’ll get you back on the bike.”
Unexpectedly Crowned as Monarch, the title of the first one reads.
Married to Three Terrorists Who Now Share Duties as Royal Consort, the second says.
“These can’t be real,” I laugh. “There’s no way Delivery 2 Go has forms for these specific circumstances.”
“I have over three thousand forms ready to be printed for any occasion, your highness,” Clint says. “Believe me when I say they’re ready. Are you?”
I pull my helmet on and slip the visor down, slipping into blessed obscurity. I’m going to do a full shift as a delivery rider today, and I’m going to be damn good at it. I’m going to break laws. I’m going to make Nile drones look slow as steam trains. And I’m going to live my life exactly the way I want to, helping everyone else do the same.
“Always.”
The End