Page 61 of Bikar

Shagar deflates a little at that but almost instantaneously perks back up. “That is perfectly fine. I will have plenty of grand-younglings to spoil soon enough.”

I’ve remained silent this whole time, hesitant to say anything since I literally just told Bikar I didn’t want anyone to know I’m pregnant. Then…all of these shenanigans happened. Bikar’s wings fold around us, blocking out the room and offering me the illusion of privacy. Locking his eyes with mine, I see the question in them. Thinking it over, I realize this way, there won’t be singular attention on me. Which is really what I wanted to avoid.

With Ruby, Rowan, Gwen, and me all preggers together, the timing is actually perfect.

Brushing my fingers against his wing membrane, he shudders at the sensation but pulls them back at my silent request. Ten sets of eyes are locked on us, and I can feel the speculation.

“For fucks sake, there must be something in the water here because Bikar put two buns in the oven last night.”

EPILOGUE

BAMBI

MANY ORBITAL ROTATIONS—EARTH YEARS—LATER.

“Mirabell, don’t yank your brother’s wings! You know he hates that.”

Morthag screeches again, and I have had enough for the day. Marching into the den, I grab my children by a pointed turquoise ear and drag them to the patio door, pushing them into the fenced yard.

“If the two of you are going to squabble like this and not mind your mother, you can damn well do it outside. I’ll be talking to your daddy about y’all’s behavior when he gets home.”

“Momma, no!”

“No, mam!”

Their dual cries don’t sway me, and their faces fall in dismay. They know if I’m irritated enough to talk to Bikar about their lack of manners, they’ll both be doing extra chores for a while. My mate doesn’t allow anyone to treat me with disrespect, especially not our children.

“Momma loves you both dearly, but neither of you have done a thing I’ve asked you to all day. So, you’ll have to talk to your daddy about it when he gets home.”

Pinning both with a stare, I wait. Morthag is more tenderhearted than his sister, and I’m not shocked when he starts talking first. “I am sorry, mam. I love you, tons and bunches.”

Mirabell rolls her eyes—she is definitely my child—at her brother but takes accountability for her wrongdoings as well.

“I’m sorry, momma.” Glaring at her brother, she wraps it up. “We should’ve listened to you and done as you asked when you told us to.”

“Thank you both for apologizing, but I’m still talking to your daddy when he gets home.”

One set of gold eyes and another of brown stare at me in resignation, and they turn towards the obstacle course Bikar built them. Watching for a moment, love for my children—naughty or not—flows through me. It’s a beautiful day outside; they’re contained, and I have no patience left for their bullshit.

Jokes on me. They’re carbon copies of my mate and me.

Shutting the screen door, I leave them to their own devices and head back into the kitchen that still needs cleaning after my two whirlwinds hit it today

Bikar left earlier than usual this morning, but he’s been working longer shifts until the space station Commander DaR commissioned is finally done. It took years—with limited communication, even with SCOUT’s assistance—for them to figure out how to lift the Veil separating the Void from the rest of the known galaxy, but between Bikar, Vornek, and Falon they got it done.

Now the Void is just another section of space with new beings coming and going every day. It’s opened a new set of tradingchannels, while also rooting out most of the more troublesome species.

Like the Velgriddix and Aynar. Both of them are essentially extinct now.

During his time away from his family, Commander DaR adopted Falon, and as a result, Falon is now the representative for the House of Darverius in the Void. He runs the space station with his mate Edie and was given the authority to act on behalf of his adoptive father. Any being—or species—that chooses to prey on the weak is eradicated. It’s made us humans feel a hell of a lot safer since we’re an endangered species, and a hot commodity on the flesh market.

The sound of the front door opening and closing makes me smile, and my heart quickens. My mate is home. Just as I finish wiping the counters down, strong arms wrap around my middle and turquoise wings shut out the rest of the world.

“Hello, little doe. Did you miss me?”

Turning in his arms, I wrap mine around him and hug him close. “Of course I did. I miss you the second you leave our home and until you return. How was your day?”

Lifting me, he carries me over the couch and sits, settling comfortably before answering. “It was good. Falon commed. He informed me that he and Edie are coming for a visit at the end of this lunar cycle.”