Fallen Embers (Fallen Guardians #9)

Epilogue

Several weeks later…

Nia blew out a deep, exhausted breath as she trudged along the corridor, so grateful the last couple of hectic weeks were over. They’d arrived at the castle a few minutes ago. She suspected the warriors would be in the rec room during this part of the afternoon, and the women would either be there or in the library.

“Ready to start our lives?” Lore drawled at her side as the puppies raced ahead of them. Then they rushed back, little tails wagging as they explored their new home.

“Start our lives?” she repeated, lifting an eyebrow. “So, who was I living with during the last couple of weeks in New Orleans, huh? Oh, wait, he ’s the love of my life. But I guess you’ll do— eeep !”

He moved so fast that she barely had time to squeal as he pinned her against the wall. She huffed a laugh, enjoying the closeness.

“I’ll do?” he repeated, eyes narrowed.

The last weeks had changed him. During his angelic days, he’d possessed a lean, muscular build. But the intense training—strangely taken up with Riley, of all people—and his work as a Guardian had added bulk to his body. Muscles she utterly approved of and loved against her.

“Uh-huh.” Her gaze skimmed his beloved features, currently set in a frown. “You’re pretty enough.”

“Pretty?”

“Yup. I mean, my New Orleans guy was a tad too thin, but you…” She squeezed his bulging biceps, unable to wrap her fingers around them, though not like she could before, either. “It’s like rock, and…” She fluttered her eyelashes. “You picked me up without even breaking a sweat. I do adore my New Orleans guy, so let’s keep this between us, okay— eeep !”

She shrieked again as Lore bit her chin, and the puppies yapped around their ankles, wanting to join in the fun.

Sighing, she slipped her hand around his neck and drew his head down, his bright hair framing his gorgeous features. “It has always, ever been you.”

“Good. Then, I won’t have to hunt him down and kill him,” he murmured, kissing a path down her jaw.

Nia huffed, delighting in his playful side. “You are jealous of your old self?”

Yes, he mind-linked with her, nipping her ear with the multiple studs.

His amusement, warm and glimmering, curled through their mate bond and flooded her heart. His mouth found hers, and she sank into his kiss?—

“What the hell are those things?” a voice roared, tearing them apart.

“Shit!” Nia groaned.

Lore laughed softly. “Should we leave the pups to terrorize them a little longer?”

“What, by yapping at them?” Nia scoffed.

“Or by using those tiny canines.” He smirked, revealing his wily side. “I still have scars from them. Only fair the others should suffer, too.”

She huffed.

“Seems we have a rodent infestation,” Blaéz’s dry tone reached them. “We need to exterminate. I can do that.”

“No!” Nia yelled, pushing away from Lore and sprinting down the hall to the rec room. She swung inside, panting. “Don’t hurt them!”

Blaéz smirked, looking up from positioning his cue for his shot. “Knew that would get you both here faster, instead of you two testing out every nook and cranny in the castle.”

Right behind her, Lore snorted, and heat flooded her face. Obviously, the warrior knew what they’d been doing. Her angel’s laughter coasted in a wave of warmth through their bond.

“So, you brought us rats as a present?” Tyr asked, his pool cue braced on the floor as he watched the puppies chase their tails in a dizzying display of nimbleness.

“Nia!” Kira darted into the living room, dashed to her side, and hugged her. “Tyr just told me you guys are back. Do Echo and Aethan know you’re visiting?”

Nia shook her head while Barken and Chewie sniffed Tyr’s boots. Chewie lifted a hind leg?—

“Chew, no!” Nia shrieked, but Lore was already there, grabbing the peeing puppy. He flashed outside with him.

“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” She rubbed her burning cheeks. “Well, at least you know he likes you. He marked you.”

“See, hon?” Kira added, stifling her grin. “That’s great news.”

“Really?” Tyr stared at his mate. “You don’t see me peeing on any of these mofos here.”

“I can pee on you,” Blaéz offered, his pool shot forgotten. “If you need evidence of my, er, affection.”

Kira burst out laughing, picking up Barken and cuddling him.

“Fuck you, Celt,” Tyr grunted, setting his pool stick down. “I really didn’t need that damn image stuck in my head. I prefer the rat.”

Chewie bounded back inside, her man following. He cast her an amused look. The pup headed straight for Tyr again and tried to sink his tiny fangs into his leather boot.

The warrior sighed and picked him up, locking eyes with her pet. “You and I need to have words—no, flapping your tongue out at me is not words. Number one, no damaging the leather. You get me?”

“Chewie, that’s his name,” Lore said, his mirth evident in his silver-green eyes.

“Fuck me,” Tyr grumbled. “Yeah, anyway, no biting or peeing on my boots, or on any of my footwear, and we’ll get on just fine.” He glanced at them, holding the puppy close to his chest. The canine emitted a low-pitched, contented whine. “What is he?”

“A cross between a beagle and a dachshund,” Lore said, leaning against the pool table and folding his arms over his chest.

Nia sighed with contentment and pride. He’d listened to everything she said about the puppies and her work at the clinic. She should have known.

Tyr quirked an eyebrow. “I thought Nia was the one finishing her internship.”

He shrugged. “She loves them, I love her, so they’re mine, too. It bodes well for you that you like our little ones, or I might have to hurt you.”

Tyr laughed. But Nia’s heart expanded.

The door flew open, and Echo raced inside, Aethan behind her.

“Echo, be careful,” he growled. “You can trip?—”

“I’m fine,” she tossed over her shoulder. “Nia!” Echo hugged her as Aethan and Lore exchanged fist bumps.

He looked a little more like his old self after his grievous injury.

“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming for a visit?” her sister demanded, easing back.

Nia cut Lore a quick look, then said, “We have news.”

“You’re pregnant already?” Echo quipped.

Nia snorted. “Gimme a break. I want at least a few decades with Lore before we even think of that.” Yes, they had time. Now that they were soul-joined, her lifespan would be as long as his. Eternal.

“So, what’s the news?” Aethan asked.

Lore watched his mate. While she was happy to be with her friends back in New Orleans, this was her blood kin, something she’d longed for.

“Yes, what’s the news?” Echo repeated, glancing at him, then back at Nia.

Lore remained silent. This was Nia’s news to share.

“Well…” Nia rubbed her palms down her jeans. “My boss, Gil, where I do my internship, has a friend here in New York, another vet. He offered to let me finish my hours here.”

Echo went motionless, then her eyes brightened with tears. “You…you’re coming back to the castle?”

Nia nodded. “I missed you.” His mate also fretted over her sister, who still appeared wan, probably due to her pregnancy.

Echo sniffed and hugged Nia again. “This makes me so happy.”

“Did you have something to do with this?” Aethan asked him quietly.

Lore shook his head. “No. Her boss knew she had found her long-lost family and was moving back to New York once she finished her internship, so he proposed this instead. Nia said the male’s a family man…”

“I’m glad. Echo already looks happier, and that’s all I ever want for her.”

Lore could understand that. “I guess they both need each other.”

“Yeah.”

Echo’s pet, the massive gray feline, stalked inside from the hall. As usual, the king of the castle ignored everyone, prowling toward the open door and terrace. He froze at the excited sounds of yapping. His furry head turned, amber eyes like headlights as two patchy brown and black blurs raced toward him and skidded on the marble floor. The cat leaped back, took one look at them, and bolted for freedom, the puppies chasing after him.

With shrieks of laughter, the sisters darted after their pets, Kira behind them.

The guys chuckled.

Lore smiled, a sense of contentment settling within him at being part of this group, though he had begun his Guardian duties back in New Orleans.

“How’s Race?” he asked. The warrior had been there for him when he needed backup. He would never forget.

“Gone,” Tyr muttered, racking the numbered balls again. “Vanished.”

“What do you mean ‘vanished?’” Lore frowned. “He must be somewhere, probably on a stakeout.”

“Soon after you guys left, he disappeared. No sign he’s been to his cave in the mountains for weeks,” Aethan said. “Dag and Shae have gone back to Romania. Michael’s out searching for him.”

He glanced at Blaéz, but the warrior shrugged. “All I’ve seen is the storm he’s embroiled in, nothing else.”

“We all have telepathy,” Aethan said, picking up a cue. “He’ll call if he needs us. Doubt anything can bring him down.”

Lore slid his hands into his pockets. Well, the dragon was lethal. He could handle himself.

The conversation dropped as the women returned, along with Darci, Blaéz’s mate, and the scampering puppies.

“Poor Bob.” Darci laughed, glancing outside. “He’ll eventually realize he must now share the limelight.”

“What limelight?” Kira snorted, stopping near the bar on the other side of the massive room. “That cat prefers outside. We’ll be lucky if he seeks the castle again. But then again, the food’s here.”

“Lore, c’mon,” Tyr called out. “I’ll teach you the rules of pool. Then we’ll pair up for a game.”

Nia’s laughter distracted him, the sound lighting up the room. She’d stopped near the bar with the females. Kira got out sodas for them from a small fridge.

Nia glanced at him. What is it?

Nothing. Just watching you… Waiting to get you back to our quarters.

Her honey skin flushed. Then, a sly smirk lit her eyes. I have the scarves ready.

He had to bite back a laugh. Good. You stretched out and tied for my pleasure will be a great return present.

Well, then, I can’t wait.

This female.

His chest warmed, and he exhaled, eternally grateful to Michael for sending him after Nia all those months ago. He’d finally found the missing part of his heart, and now he had all of eternity with her…to love her.

The end…for now

So, while we wait for the next book in the Fallen Guardians saga, I’m really excited to share my Warlords of Empyrea series with you. If you haven’t already met those hardass High Lords, then it’s time.

It has the same steamy encounter, destined mates, and forbidden mating like the Guardians.

Start off with Reynner’s story in Darkness Undone , book 1 in the Warlords of Empyrea saga.