Nik kissed her tempting mouth, unable to believe all the danger dogging their heels from the moment they met was finally in the past. “C’mon, my little destroyer, let’s go get something to eat, and feed our young—”
“Yeah, about that? How long will this pregnancy last?” she asked. “I mean, I’m five months along, and I’m not even showing. Human gestation is usually about nine—maybe ten months.”
Nik frowned. “I don’t know. The same?”
She glanced at the others where they stood around them on the terrace.
“Empyrean pregnancy takes about eighteen months or so,” Hedori said slowly. “Maybe about twelve, thirteen months, considering the changes Shadow went through with the otherworldly blood transfusion.”
“Great, I’m gonna be pregnant for a year,” she groaned.
“I’m here now, my little warrior.” Nik gently nipped her chin. “And I’ll help in any way I can.”
“I’m just happy I get to share this with you…” Her throat worked, her eyes misting. “And I thank the goddess for sending you back to me.” She wrapped his hair around her fingers. “And with hair, too. Looong hair,” she teased.
“It’s coming off tomorrow.”
“Nooo, don’t you dare.”
Unable to resist her, Nik pressed his mouth to hers. Then he glanced back and found his Guardian brothers and their mates all staring at them, smiles on their faces. He snorted, but he was immensely grateful for them.
“Just one thing. Did you get that damn sword from the demon?”
“Yeah,” Dagan said, putting his arm around his mate. “The Arc’s taken it back to Heaven.”
“Good.” He pivoted for the door.
“Yo, Nik,” Týr called out, a grin clear in his voice, warning Nik he was up to no good. “The way you sparkle, man, you’ll make a festive tree proud.”
Nik glanced down, but he encountered Shadow’s humorous smile instead. A faint blush covered her cheeks, and she scrunched her nose. “Sorry.”
“Don’t care,” he answered both her and Týr.
Laughter followed him as he entered the kitchen and set Shadow on her feet, then he just held her. Hell, he wanted to head straight for their quarters and not come out for a week, but she came first, and she needed to eat.
About to usher her to her seat, her arms tightened around him, and she pressed her face against his chest. I love you, Nik, her warm voice coasted through their mind-link. So, so damn much.
“And I you, my Starshine,” he whispered, “So, so damn much, too.”
She laughed, her sparkling eyes meeting his. The immense love in them constricting his heart.
Nik gently caressed her flushed cheek, emotions overwhelming him.
His precious mate, who fought and killed for him, who loved him unreservedly, and now carried their child. He couldn’t wait to start their life together. Because she would always be the tomorrows he’d never wanted, and now looked forward to…
THE END…
AFTERWORD
Hi you guys!
Wow, this sure was a long book!
If you’re here, then Thank You for staying the course, and reading Nik and Shadow’s story to its end. I do hope you enjoyed their rollercoaster journey to their HEA.
These books are usually more the Guardians’ stories, about their broken past, their history, but recently, you would have noticed, their heroines also come with baggages. And it tends to make the books so much longer.
I promise, the next book will be shorter, I’ve warned my brain about this—LOL.
Yes-yes, I know, you’re wondering about their baby?
Well, I decided not to write an epilogue for that, two reasons; one, you’ll be reading into next year then, and two, I think it would be fun to see the baby bump grow through the books. So, yes, Shadow will have the baby, but in a later book.
If you decided to forgive me for Nik’s brutal demise—hey, he’s back, tougher and badder than before, (he’s got a mate and young on the way) I would love a review, even a few words would do. Yep, I was gonna ask that :) Reviews are so important to authors in getting their books out there.
And if you do, my thanks in advance, and thank you for being a fan. Hugs
Georgia ♥
Oh, next up is book 3 in the Warlords of Empyrea series.
For more news on what’s happening, follow me on Facebook
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To these amazing ladies:
Celia, Anna, Coleen, and Tana. Thank you ALL for your support, for pushing me, and making this book so, so much better. And to Carolyn for catching those pesky typos at final read.
Despite the ups and downs, I got this written. I swear 2020 had been a hard and utterly weird-ass year.
To my friends and readers who cheered me on when the going got tough, you know who you are.
Love you guys.
To my other Half; and the biggest baby who’s now working from home, I treasure your patience and love, and the time you give me to write…while whispering in the background: I’m already missing you—LOL.
Montana Jade; Thank you, darling girl, for your wonderful artwork yet again in recreating my Guardian—and for Nik’s fabulous cover. I couldn’t stop drooling—er, staring at it :)
Finally, to my ARC reviewers, reviewers, and readers, thank you for loving my stories. It’s what makes all the hard work worth it. An enormous cyber hug to each and every one of you!
Stay safe.
Love, Georgia ♥
Also by Georgia Lyn Hunter
FALLEN GUARDIANS
Absolute Surrender #1
Echo, Mine #1.5
Breaking Fate #2
Tangled Sin (Standalone)
Guardian Unraveled #3
For You, I Will #3.5
Heart’s Inferno #4
Shattered Dawn #5
WARLORDS OF EMPYREA
Darkness Undone #1
Winter’s Awakening #2
CONTEMPORARY: PLAYERS TO MEN
Breathless #1
Impossible You #1
About the Author
Georgia Lyn Hunter loves to create characters who’ll take you to the far and beyond to unforgettable adventures, steamy encounters and heart-stopping love stories...
She grew up in the sultry climate of South Africa and currently lives in the Middle East with her family. An avid reader from a young age, she devoured every book she got her hands on. When she’s not writing or plotting her next novel, she loves trolling flea markets and buying things she’d never use (because they’re so pretty,) traveling, painting, and being with her wonderfully supportive family.
And there you have it, all the boring stuff.
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Shattered Dawn (Fallen Guardians Book 5) Page 40