by Dixon, Ruby
I love you, I tell him after a time, drowsy and boneless with contentment.
He chuckles. I know. You have told me that a hundred times in the last few moments. I enjoy hearing it, though.
I reluctantly slide off of him and flip to my back, letting the cool air dry some of the sweat on my skin. Vaan reaches for me, caressing my arm as I do, and I gaze up at the night sky. In the After, there are so many damn stars that it nearly takes my breath away. I gaze up at them…and at the unsightly Rift that tears through the edge of the stars. It looks like an open wound in the cosmos, and I think about Azar and his dreams.
Please let it be nothing.
It does not matter if it is or if it is not. We will take it as we take all things, Vaan tells me and laces his fingers with mine. Together.
One day at a time, I agree. Just like you said earlier.
That is right. And tonight, I have my mate in my arms and her taste on my tongue. Once she catches her breath, I will pull her against me and claim her body all over again. He rubs his thumb against my hand, joined to his. The small things are enough. They will be what get us from one day to the next.
He's right, and I smile over at my mate. One day at a time, with Vaan at my side. It's more than enough.
Author’s Note
GUYS.
I am clearly the worst at keeping a schedule. Truly. Those of you that read all these author notes know I’ve mentioned before that my eyes are bigger than my plate. That I think I’m going to tackle the world and really end up getting terribly behind.
Yup. I’ve done so again.
Thank you for being so patient while I worked on Gwen and Vaan’s book. Real life nosed its way in for a while, and the dragon books always take me a bit longer to work through, and the end result is that here I am, making excuses as to why I’m late. As usual. :) I hope you like the direction the books are heading, though! Things are on the horizon and it’s going to be interesting to unspool all the story threads and watch where they go.
Some of you fussed at me after the last book saying it was a cliffhanger, even though I said I’d never write one. I did say that! But in my mind, it was not a cliffhanger. When I say the entire story will be resolved at the end of the book, I mean the main story for the main characters. They’re going to figure out how to fall in love and live happily ever after (or until the world implodes, because apocalypse). I will never fuck up a happy ever after. I will never fuck up the happy ever after POST book, either. I could tell you (ranting) volumes about one book I read where the couple got together in book 1 and then the heroine died in book 3. Oh, HELL no. I’m a reader, too. When you close the book, you know it’s gonna end well for them. And heck, there will probably be babies and cameos in future books, because I’m a dork and I love all my characters.
That being said - they’re all pieces in a bigger world, and I think of the story kind of like an ongoing TV series. I’ll wrap up the main storyline but I’m setting stuff up for the next ‘season’, if that makes sense. I hope you don’t hate me for doing it, because I did it again in this book.
As for the next book…heh.
The next book in this series will be Andrea’s book. After that will be Melina’s and we’ll finally see what has been going on over in Fort Dallas on the opposite side of things. A few of you might be, ahem, upset at me for her choice of hero. It’s funny, because the moment Azar appeared on the page, I had a few people write me and tell me they want his book. At first I was all Y’ALL ARE FREAKS. And then I thought about it. Can I possibly redeem the bad guy? Do you even redeem someone like him? As for Melina, is she sacrificing herself for Fort Dallas or is it something else? It was like waving a red flag in front of a bull (I do love a challenge) and so Melina and Azar will have a book after I write Andi and Liam’s flirt-a-thon and tackle why/how he’s able to function when the others can’t.
(Before you ask, I haven’t decided if Daniela will have a book yet! If she does, she needs some time to recover first.)
As for what’ll come out next, I’m currently writing a novella called THE ALIEN ASSASSIN’S CONVENIENT BRIDE for a line called In The Stars. They’re short books that are a play on the Harlequin books, sci-fi style, of course. My book’s about a new kind of alien who comes to Earth with his brother to tackle a job, only to find out that he has to take a bride first. It’s fun, it’s silly, and it’s sexy and it’ll be out at the end of July. Also, my good friend Michele Mills (you need to read her books - they’re in KU!) will be writing the other brother’s point of view. I can’t wait for them both to come out.
After that, I’ll be writing Sentorr’s book. I’m ridiculously excited to get started on that one, because his heroine’s been nagging me for months. Yeah, I know. Crazy author person says characters talk to her. I used to pooh-pooh people that said that, but lately when I go to sleep, characters start nattering at me. It’s fun…but it makes me weird. I know. Once Sentorr’s story is done, we’ll circle back to either Ice Planet Barbarians or Icehome….which brings me to another point. I know I’m all over the place lately, series-wise. I just love trying new things! (Remember the comment about eyes and plate? Yeah.) But I know it’s frustrating for those that want more IPB/Dragons/Icehome and they’re slow in coming out. My goal is to focus in on those series so you don’t have to wait as long for the next installments. I’m aware of it, and after this, I’m going to rein it in (mostly). I can’t say I won’t wander a bit (another Prison Planet story!!!!) but I’m going to do it less.
As always, thank you for being a fan and I hope you like the book. <3 Sorry for all the rambling.
Much love,
Ruby <3 <3 <3
Also In This Series
FIREBLOOD DRAGONS
Fire in His Blood
Fire in His Kiss
Fire in His Embrace
Fire in His Fury
Fire In His Spirit (this book!)
Like Audio? You can also listen to this series on audiobook!
Other Titles by Ruby Dixon
ICE PLANET BARBARIANS
Ice Planet Barbarians
Barbarian Alien
Barbarian Lover
Barbarian Mine
Ice Planet Holiday (novella)
Barbarian’s Prize
Barbarian’s Mate
Having the Barbarian’s Baby (short story)
Ice Ice Babies (short story)
Barbarian’s Touch
Calm(short story)
Barbarian’s Taming
Aftershocks (short story)
Barbarian’s Heart
Barbarian’s Hope
Barbarian’s Choice
Barbarian’s Redemption
Barbarian’s Lady
Barbarian’s Rescue
Barbarian’s Tease
The Barbarian Before Christmas (novella)
Barbarian’s Beloved
ICEHOME
LAUREN’S BARBARIAN
VERONICA’S DRAGON
CORSAIRS
THE CORSAIR’S CAPTIVE
IN THE CORSAIR’S BED
ENTICED BY THE CORSAIR
STAND ALONE
PRISON PLANET BARBARIAN
THE ALIEN’S MAIL-ORDER BRIDE
BEAUTY IN AUTUMN
THE KING’S SPINSTER BRIDE
BEDLAM BUTCHERS
Bedlam Butchers, Volumes 1-3: Off Limits, Packing Double, Double Trouble
Bedlam Butchers, Volumes 4-6: Double Down, Double or Nothing, Slow Ride
Double Dare You
BEAR BITES
SHIFT: Five Complete Novellas
Want More?
For more information about upcoming books in the Ice Planet Barbarians, Fireblood Dragons, or any other books by Ruby Dixon, ‘like’ me on Facebook or subscribe to my new release newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
<3 Ruby
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