Epilogue

“Come on, you guys,” Tess was clearly jazzed that she’d see her sister soon. Even the fucked up business about Dagon heading to hell, which had thrown them all for a bit, wasn’t about to overshadow her excitement. “We need to celebrate!”

Lenore peered over from where she’d collapsed back onto the bed, her head—right where it wanted to be—on a pillow. “Shouldn’t we save that for after we have Holly in hand?” She didn’t want to rain on Tess’s parade, but a whole lot of shit could go wrong between now and then.

“No. I think we’ve all been gloomy for far too long, battling PP and searching Chicago.” She got a gleam in her eye that made Lenore want to groan. “I’ve got it!” Tess snapped her fingers. “We’ve never had a party to commemorate your joining with Anshar.”

Lenore looked over at Anshar, who appeared shell shocked, learning all he had about his cousin and his parent’s deaths tonight. She didn’t think he’d feel much like partying.

“Not a bad idea, Tess,” Anshar perked up and gave the goddess a smile, which totally surprised Lenore. “You’re 100 percent correct. My beautiful bride needs something more than an amulet that she can’t even remember getting, to immortalize,” there were instant groans all around at his bad pun, “our union.” He continued, refusing to look apologetic. “We owe it to her after the shitty way we welcomed her into our home.”

Lenore hadn’t thought it was that bad. The mistrust she’d fomented could have brought her much harsher treatment. But Anshar couldn’t be stopped. He’d not only had a renewal of energy, he looked downright spunky.

“I have an idea,” he brightened even further. “Everyone stay right here,” he commanded. “I’ll be back within the hour.” Anshar disappeared in a flash.

“What do you think he’s up to?” Marduk rolled his eyes at the group, but couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face. Yup. He’d seen that spark of an old Anshar shining through and, like Lenore, obviously couldn’t wait to see what was going to come of it.

“Well, I’m sure we’ll find out,” Tess answered. “And I don’t know about the rest of you, but I need to freshen up before he tells us what he has in mind.” She smirked and crooked a finger at her husband. Marduk took her hand, eagerly, his grin matching hers.

“Oh yeah. That’s right. You two haven’t seen each other in, what? Two days?” Lenore snorted. “You need to make up for lost time, and an hour doesn’t…” Before she could say any more, the couple had disappeared. Lenore moved a pillow over her face and screamed into it. Without Tess’s goading, that could be her right now, having wild monkey-sex or serpent sex with Anshar. It was really all she wanted. Now she had to wait to see what the hell her man was up to.

Forty-five minutes later, with the gods lounging around on their own pillows in various states of invisible wakefulness, Tess and Marduk popped back in, looking bright-eyed and sated.

“Is he back yet? Did we miss anything?” Tess had better slow down because, energy-bunny or not, she’d run out of steam if she kept this level of excitement up for the duration of the night.

“Nope, he’s not—” Lenore was cut off by a dramatic puff of smoke and, when it cleared, Anshar stood in the aftermath. Her mouth dropped open. He was dressed from neck to heels in a silver-studded, one-piece jumpsuit. On his face sat large, dark sunglasses, and on his feet, blue suede shoes.

“What the hell?” Lenore and several other gods had the same reaction at the same time.

Anshar struck a pose as if holding a microphone to his mouth. “Don’t you recognize The King when you see him?” He rotated one hip dramatically and, from Lenore’s standpoint, hysterically.

Lenore laughed outrageously. “I recognize a big goofball when I see one.” She turned to the group and raised incredulous shoulders. “Does anybody get what’s going on?”

“Baby,” Anshar crooned. “Grab your high-heeled sneakers, cause it’s now or never.”

Marduk hooted, and the gods threw pillows. “Give us a hint, Anshar,” Marduk quipped back. “A little less conversation, please, and a little more…”

“Yeah boss!” Anshar spun forward and grabbed Lenore up off the bed, encircling her waist with both of his big hands. Once she was steady, he dropped to one knee at her feet. “Lenore, honey. I can’t live without you…literally.” This brought more catcalls from his brothers before he shushed them. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Lenore felt her throat close up, and tears threatened. She’d already accepted Anshar into her life. She had no idea that a god would contemplate a human marriage, much less think it was necessary. Her heart overflowed with joy and love.

“Of course I will, Anshar. But when,” she spluttered. “Where?”

“I’ve just come from Vegas, and I’ve reserved a justice of the peace to marry us in half an hour. “ He looked around at the group. “Will you all join us as witnesses?”

There was a chorus of cheers and, as Lenore slipped into her shoes, getting ready to mist and sporting a smile that she knew was a mile wide, Anshar took her hand. He kissed her with all the love and passion she knew they’d have for each other for the rest of eternity, and his words as they took off for Vegas rang in her ears.

“Going to the chapel, and we’re…”