Epilogue

FOUR YEARS LATER

Pushing her hair out of her eyes, Lola let out a huff as Lu rounded the corner. A bright green-eyed toddler clinging to his back. Her copper curls bouncing in the slight breeze as he bounced her around the yard.

"There’s your mum.”

“Mummy,” the girl shouted, she pointed over her father’s shoulder, “Auntie Queen is here.”


“Lu, be careful with her.” Lola chided with a small smile as Lu galloped her around the yard. She turned her head, looking over at the Queen.

“Your majesty.” She said, dipping her head.

“Lola, how many times have I asked you to call me Callie?”

“It still feels strange.”

“We’re family. You’re sister and I are ruling the courts together.” Callie said with a smile.

“I know, it’s just still strange to know that I have a sister and she’s the Unseelie Queen.” Lola said, as she went back to pulling the weeds from the garden.

“She’s doing a far better job than Erik.”

Lola smiled at that. She didn’t like to think about her onetime friend. She was glad that he was locked away for now, she just dreaded the day that he escaped. If ever.

“I’m glad to hear it. Hopefully, it keeps her busy so she won’t fuss over the baby too much.” Lola said, placing a hand over her swollen middle.

“You know she won’t be able to stay away, speaking of which. I’m going to go play with Mana.”

Lola watched the queen as she walked over to Lu and their child, her fingers tickling the girl. She let out a squeal as she launched herself from her father’s back.

A shadow fell over Lola and she turned to look up at Merrow. A grin spreading across her cheeks as he smirked down at her. The sunlight streaming through his white blonde hair making him glow. Her breath was taken away by his beauty. Dusting her hands off on her apron, she frowned. Realizing that she was trapped.

Gardening was hard work for her during pregnancy, but touching the ground made her think of her grandmother and how much she would have loved her great-grandchildren.


“You got stuck down there again, didn’t you?”


“I refuse to dignify that question with an answer.” Lola said, pressing her lips together with a glare at her lover. She brought her hand up to rub her swollen middle. “This one doesn’t let me move around as much as big sister did.”


“Annwn says that’s normal.” Merrow held his hand out to her, rolling his eyes as she pressed her hands to the ground, trying to push herself to stand.


Bodach pushed himself away from the tree that he had been leaning against. “You need to get ready, acushla. Your mother and sister will be here soon.”


“Don’t remind me.” Lola said crossing her arms over her chest, If it was anything like the birth of Mana. She knew they wouldn’t let up with the constant mothering that would happen to her during labor and once the baby arrived. She could only hope that the court would call her sister away.

“We could always tell them to stay home.” Bodach pressed his lips together as he tried to fight back a smile.


“And have you guys freaking out, I think not.” Lola said finally giving in and holding her hands out to both of them.


“What? We do great with Mana.” Merrow smiled as he helped Bodach pull Lola to her feet.


“You guys would let her get away with murder and then hide the body.” Placing her hands on her hips, she glared up at them.


“What can I say? She’s our little princess.”


Bodach moved forward, wrapping his arms about her waist. The fluttering movements caught his attention. He placed his hands on her belly. “This one, he will be our little prince.”


“I told you I didn’t want to know what I was having.” Lola said, pushing his hand away. Stomping her foot and turning towards the house.


“Ghra, it’ll be any day now.” Merrow called out, chasing after her. Smiling at the way she waddled into their cottage. “We’ve all been harassing him to know what it is.”


“I still wanted it to be a surprise.” Lola said as she scrubbed at her eyes. She hated this part of being pregnant. The overwhelming emotions that she felt and how easy it was to cry. It didn’t matter whether she was happy or sad. The tears just flowed. “Do you think that, Puca-”


“That I what?” Puca asked as he walked down the stairs, a book in his hands


“Nothing.” Lola said as she blushed, walking closer to her love.


“Lola, you know you can always tell me anything.” He said, bringing his hand up to cup her cheek. His fingertips caressing her skin, making her shiver as desire shot up her spine.


“That you’ll be excited to know it’s a boy.” Lola looked down as he pressed his hand to her belly, feeling the fluttering kicks.


“Nothing could make me happier. Maybe the next set will be twins.” His lips twitched into a smirk as he watched Lola grimace.


“I don’t think I could handle you guys with twins, this baby and Mana.” She looked up at him through lowered lashes.


“Lola, you’ll always have us. More babies would be a blessing. They’d be a part of you, of us.” Puca whispered before pressing his lips against her forehead.


A knock on the door pulled her attention away and she let out a sigh, “Let’s worry about this one’s birth first.”


Puca nodded, letting her slip away from him to let in her family.


That thought filled her with happiness. She had a family. She had a home and it was with her fae men.


THE END