Epilogue

One year later…

“Oh good, you’re up.” Malaikah ducked under the awning and took a seat in the customer’s chair, looking as though she was about to receive a reading from the great “Seer Who Survived,” as Salizar had dubbed Harrow. Not that the Seer was even doing readings today—the circus was en route at present, stopped for a rest day outside a small village.

“Barely.” Harrow yawned from the lounge. She was “up,” but her hair was an unbrushed tangle of frizz, and she still wore her nightgown. Other than her mother’s locket, she hadn’t opened her jewelry box in months, and any dresses that didn’t have easy breastfeeding access were collecting dust in the wardrobe. “I don’t know how human women can handle having more than one child.”

Malaikah chuckled. “You told me you guys conceived on your first night back together. Human or not, you’re definitely having more than one.”

Harrow winced. “Let’s not think about that just yet.” Baby Mellora’s birth had been about as easy as giving birth could be on a woman, but that wasn’t saying much. Three months later, Harrow’s poor body was still recovering.

Excruciating agony aside, it had been by far the most wonderful, beautiful experience of her life. Her loving mate had held her hand throughout the hours of labor, despite his nearly fainting a dozen times, and he had endured without complaint all the threats she hurled at him amid contractions. The result had been a gorgeous baby daughter passed into their arms, her cries filling the air while their tears of happiness fell onto her perfect, tiny body.

They’d named her Mellora, after Harrow’s mother. Her skin was light brown, her hair dark, her tiny ears pointed, and her eyes like Raith’s—the outer edges as black as her pupils. Instead of fire-wreathed irises, however, hers were a luminescent silver that identified her as a Seer.

The moment she saw her, Harrow knew she would be just like her father. A father who was going to spoil her rotten, if his behavior thus far was anything to go by. Harrow expected nothing less, for they were both heartily in agreement:

Mellora was obviously the most perfect child ever born.

“Where is the miracle baby, anyway?” Mal asked.

“She’s inside with Raith. She just woke up and will want to nurse soon, but Raith’s taking care of her until then so I could nap.”

“Good man.”

“I know.” Harrow sighed.

Before meeting up with Salizar’s circus in the Western Territory, Raith and Harrow had traveled together for five months, Harrow offering readings as they went to keep them afloat. It had been Raith’s suggestion to rejoin the circus. Though Harrow had protested for his sake—she never wanted him to feel obligated to return to the place he’d been treated so horribly—Raith had argued that Harrow would want Malaikah close when Mellora was born, and that having Salizar taking care of the business aspect of her Seer duties would give her more time to focus on being a mother. He was right, and his selflessness meant everything to her.

Contrary to what Harrow had once feared, Salizar had not been the least bit hesitant to have the last surviving Seer under his protection. On the contrary, he saw her presence as an investment in his enterprise and a way to draw even more clientele to the circus.

In order to secure her reemployment, however, Harrow had demanded Salizar offer Raith a sincere apology and a promise to behave respectfully in the future. She needn’t have bothered. Raith seemed to have gotten over his hatred of Salizar after learning he’d been protecting Harrow since her childhood. And Salizar had begun to respect Raith after their fight at the tavern. The two might never be friends, but they tolerated each other, and it was enough.

Though Salizar charged customers an arm and a leg for a reading with Harrow, her popularity had only continued to grow. The “Seer Who Survived” drew crowds of humans and Elementals alike wherever they traveled. Salizar had even commissioned a new advertisement banner for the circus with both Malaikah’s and Harrow’s faces on it.

Raith took care of Mellora while Harrow did readings, lingering nearby in case of trouble. Sometimes he helped the laborers with odd jobs around the circus, but mostly, he was content to be a father to Mellora.

Harrow thought that was perfect. After everything he’d been through, he deserved a little peace and quiet, and who wouldn’t want to spend every available moment looking into the tiny, angelic face of their daughter?

And Raith truly could have peace now. Several months ago, Darya had sent word that for the first time in centuries, she, Audra, and Nashira had gotten together and merged their magics to bind Furie’s powers. They had also surrounded her castle with an impenetrable barrier to imprison her within. No one could come or go.

The Fire Queen had fallen but was still protected from any who might wish to take advantage of her defenseless state. Despite everything she’d done, her sisters didn’t want her dead. As long as Furie remained trapped and powerless, Harrow supposed she could accept this.

She hoped them banding together meant the Queens were working toward solving their differences. While there was a part of her that would never forgive them for what they’d done, she could only hope all that was behind them now.

As for the ninety-nine other wraiths that Raith had liberated, they had vanished completely, likely from the physical world altogether. Considering what they were capable of, however, Darya hadn’t been thrilled to learn they were loose and had been searching for them. So far, she’d found nothing. Harrow figured that since no rumors were abounding of powerful, shadowy creatures wreaking untold havoc, there was no harm leaving them be.

A baby cried from inside the caravan. Though she quieted again instantly—Raith was truly a miracle—Harrow’s breasts had begun to ache. “I should go feed Melly. Do you want to hold her first?”

“Nah, I’ll come back this afternoon. Let you guys have your family time.”

“You’re family too, Mal.”

Malaikah smiled. “Oh, I know. I plan to take full advantage of my role as the eccentric aunt.”

“Goddess forbid.”

She chuckled. “You have any new advice for me?”

“Nothing yet.” A few days ago, Harrow had received a vision telling her the time was coming for Malaikah to return to Kambu. Unfortunately, it hadn’t been forthcoming with details, and she was still waiting for more information to come. “I’ve been scrying constantly, but I’m only getting this vague image of a crossroads. I have this sense that you’re approaching something big, and you’ll be forced to make a difficult choice, but I don’t know more than that. It’s frustrating, to say the least.”

“The Water knows best,” Mal replied easily, though Harrow knew her well enough to tell she was nervous. “It’ll show you more when it’s time, I guess.”

Harrow nodded, wishing things were different. The thought of her best friend leaving the circus forever was heartbreaking. But she knew how deep Malaikah’s need to return home ran. If she gave up on it, who would she be?

“Don’t worry about it. It’ll happen when it’s meant to, right?” Mal stood. “For now, you have a hungry baby to feed, and I need to find Salizar. I want to get his opinion on the new routine I’m working out.”

“He’ll obviously love it. You’re the ‘Amazing Malaikah,’ after all.”

Mal grinned. “Obviously. I’ll see you at dinner, yeah?”

“Definitely.” Harrow embraced Mal before she whirled away like a mini cyclone. Harrow smiled to herself. Malaikah was truly a force to be reckoned with.

Mellora gave another squabble from inside, reminding Harrow she still hadn’t eaten. Not to mention, her leaky breasts were seconds away from soaking through her nightgown. Again. She climbed the stairs and went into the caravan.

Inside, Raith was cradling Mellora against his bare chest with one strong arm. His free hand was held above her tiny face, and she sucked on his finger while he whispered soft endearments.

Harrow’s heart nearly burst. Was there anything more perfect in the world?

Their gazes met.

“She wants her mother.” He smiled with such easy contentment now. The change was night and day from the tortured man he’d been only a year ago. A loving mate and child would do that, she supposed.

She took Mellora, tugging her gown down to free one breast. Immediately, her daughter started to nurse, making happy slurping sounds. Harrow looked back at Raith. “Thank you for looking after her so I could rest.”

He bent down to kiss her. “Helping you with Melly is a gift.”

She sighed. Did he have any idea how amazing he was?

“You look beautiful this morning.” He stroked a hand over her tangled mop of frizz.

She snorted. “I look like I haven’t slept in three months, which is actually pretty accurate.”

“You look like the mother of my child. There is nothing more beautiful.”

She sighed again. Definitely amazing.

“You didn’t manage to sleep outside?”

She shook her head. “I was worrying about Malaikah. I still don’t understand that crossroads I keep seeing. It feels like something big is coming into her life—a new person, maybe. Except I have this feeling that person has been there all along, right under her nose. Which doesn’t even make sense. And if the choice is about whether to choose the circus or her homeland, why would another person factor into it at all?”

“You’re worrying too much.”

“I can’t help it.”

“She’s your sister, not your second child,” Raith teased. Yep, he teased her now. And not just in bed.

“Yes, but—”

“No more buts.” And interrupted her too. She scowled. “You said it yourself. This is who she is.”

“I know, I know.” She shot him a mock glare. “You look so smug when you’re right.”

With a completely straight face, he replied, “Then I must look smug all the time.”

“You’re terrible.” But she chuckled despite herself.

“Yes, and you’re mine.” He kissed the end of her nose and the top of his nursing daughter’s head and then snatched a shirt from the pile on the bed. Oh, and he was messy now, too, not that Harrow cared. She was probably messier than he was.

He threw the shirt over his head and slipped past her to the door, giving her ass a pat as he walked by. Another new habit. “I have to go get some supplies from the meal tent, but I’ll be back.”

“Supplies? For what?”

“For our picnic.”

“What picnic?”

“Since we’re not traveling today, I thought we could take Fiona and go somewhere quiet to have lunch.”

She smiled. “That sounds lovely.”

“Then wait here, and I’ll be back in a bit with food and our horse.”

“But I’m not dressed, and Mellora’s still nursing.”

He gave her a blank look. “You’re wearing a dress.”

Typical man. He didn’t even notice the difference between her nightgown and her regular clothes. Then again, she thought, glancing down at herself with a shrug, maybe he’s on to something. If anyone could justify spending the whole day in a nightgown, it was a new mother.

“I guess I’m ready, then,” she said with a grin.

He flashed a dazzling smile in return and then ducked out of the caravan.

A couple of hours later, they were on Fiona’s back, riding through the silent forest. Raith sat behind Harrow, his strong arms wrapped around her, steering the horse. Mellora was swaddled carefully against Harrow’s breast. She wasn’t worried about falling—Raith’s reflexes were lightning fast, and her motherly instincts were amplified by her Seer abilities. There had never been a more protected child, she was sure of it.

They stopped at the top of a rise, finding a clearing on the cliff’s edge with a breathtaking view of the valley below. They ate a simple meal and then lay down on the blanket, watching the clouds move, their little daughter asleep between them.

Later, Harrow pulled her Seer cards from the bag and shuffled the deck. Since Darya’s magic had been the catalyst for Raith’s corporeal body, he had a bit of Water magic in him, and Harrow had learned he felt a connection to her cards. She’d begun teaching him what they meant.

They did a reading together, taking turns drawing until there were six faceup.

First, Harrow drew the Waterfall—a symbol of change and new beginnings. Raith drew the Mist, symbolizing the intangible and mysterious. Next, the Spring—life-giving rejuvenation. Then, the River—water seeking its origin, a journey of perseverance. The fifth card was the Ocean, the source of all life.

The sixth and final card was Raith’s, and it was no surprise which one he drew.

He laid it down beside the others. “I always get this one.”

To Harrow, Raith’s card had taken on a newer, more personal meaning. “It represents the choice to dive headfirst into the unknown. To confront grief and conquer fear.”

“To embrace the darkness and find peace.”

“Exactly.” They exchanged smiles.

Between them, Mellora made a tiny sound in her sleep, her little hands twitching. They both looked at her with soft expressions.

“I think she’s dreaming,” Raith said.

Harrow thought of her own dream. The nightmare that had become a blessing. The choice she’d made to dive. The wisdom she’d gained from the darkness.

“I hope she chooses the deep,” Harrow said, smiling up at her mate.