by Susan Hayes
She sighed in contentment and nodded. “I’ll make a list for later. Right now though, I think we better rest. Unless I am mistaken? I believe in a few hours we’re supposed to be at your parents for dinner, and this time I’m determined to be well rested and fully clothed.”
He snorted with laughter, “They may not recognize you that way.” He reached over to tug a blanket over them both and closed his eyes. “Welcome to my life, Beautiful.”
***
EPILOGUE
Keri turned the final screw and set down her tools. “There, it’s done.” She stepped back to admire her handiwork, a proud smile on her face.
“It’s beautiful.” Alistair’s arm snaked around her waist and tugged her into his side as they both looked at her creation.
The bed had taken her months to finish, but now it was done and assembled in her bedroom on Salt Spring. The entire frame was carved, sanded and polished by hand, the detailed work calling to mind a forest clearing. Just as she’d envisioned, the columns appeared as trees, the canopy made up of their interwoven branches.
They’d decided to split their time between the two planes, spending the spring and summer months on the island and then leaving for his home as the grey days of rain and dampness came to the west coast.
Many locals were snowbirds, taking off to warmer climes when winter came. No one had questioned it, and it had allowed her to keep part of her old life while embracing her new one.
She glanced up at Alistair and her heart skipped over in her chest as it always did when she realized he was hers, forever. “Are you really alright with me bringing all my tools to your home when we settle there next week?” She asked.
“Of course I am. By then the workspace will be ready for you, and I already know what your next project should be.”
“I’m the artist, I’m supposed to decide on my own projects!” She punctuated her words by tapping her index finger against his broad chest.
“Don’t you at least want to hear my idea?” He grinned at her, looking smugly handsome as he held her close.
Keri raised a brow, sensing he was up to something. “What’s your idea then?”
“A crib.” He murmured and leaned down to kiss her cheek as his hand smoothed down to span her stomach.
“But why would we need a— oh!” Keri’s heart seemed too big for her chest suddenly and her voice went low and very soft. “Really? You’re sure?”
“Really.” He grinned. “I wasn’t expecting to have a family of my own for another century or more; you are magical, and I am the happiest daemon in all the planes. I have my mate, and soon, my child”
Keri beamed back, her eyes brimming with tears of joy as she lay her hands over his where they spanned her stomach. “It takes two to make this kind of magic.”
“So it does.” His lips found hers as he lifted her up and carried her over to their new bed. “Enchanted or not, I promise you’ll not be able to leave this bed for at least a week.”
Keri just laughed. She had no doubt the bed she had carved had a magic all its own; every part of it had been crafted with love, tears and thoughts of her beloved daemon. She’d made this bed for them.
He leaned down and kissed Keri tenderly. “I hope she has your beautiful hair.”
Keri just grinned for a moment before replying, “He or she, I just hope they don't have your horns, at least not until after they are born!”
The End
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed Alistair’s Bed. The next book in the series, Malyk’s Salvation, is also available for you to enjoy.
Susan Hayes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan lives out on the Canadian west coast surrounded by open water, dear family, and good friends. She’s jumped out of perfectly good airplanes on purpose and had lunch next to royalty by accident. She’s worked for local law enforcement, been a freelance wordsmith, and bakes what she claims are the world’s best double-chocolate-and-caramel brownies. She’s passionately in love with the written word (and a few of her more hunky creations). Writing is her joy, her escape from reality, and the only way she knows of to quiet the nagging harridan of a muse she claims the universe assigned to her.
For more about Susan Hayes and a complete list of her books, please visit her website:
susanhayes.ca