18 Epilogue

Elric and Rhiannon were unpacking inside the massive new home Elric had bought them when the doorbell rang unexpectedly. Ann looked over at Elric curiously and he turned toward the door in consternation.

"Were you expecting anyone?" Ann asked setting aside the box she had been working on and wiping her forehead.

The large house they bought was beautiful and filled with exquisite finishing touches, but it would be some time before it felt homey. They needed to find places for their things and fill it with her furniture. She loved picking it out with Elric, though, and it had been fun imagining a life there. There were beautiful grounds as well, big enough for Elric's gargoyle form, as long as he was invisible.

Elric was getting called already to help the Enforcers with important missions using his diamond powers, and she was trying to keep busy at work while he did so, but they had both taken a few days off to get settled in. Even at work, things were different. Elric had bought the salon from the previous owner and given it to Ann, but not before outfitting it with insane amounts of security and cameras as well as a few finishing touches of his own added by shifter friends with access to amazing technology.

All so she would be safe there without him while he was away. Not that he was ever gone long, and when he returned they always had joyful moments of reuniting and making love. As well as holding Peony, who was quickly growing and liked to stay glued to Elric's side as often as possible.

Speaking of Peony, once Elric had gotten his treasure, he had returned to the shelter and made a huge donation to upgrade the cages and provide play areas and a much better life for the cats. As well as a better marketing campaign to help get them into new homes and a massive budget for healthcare. She enjoyed watching Elric find new ways to make himself at home in the modern world. She enjoyed being at his side, watching him discover the kinder sides of himself, watching him get to know more shifters and humans and see that most of them weren't so bad.

They stayed in touch with their gargoyle friends over the last few weeks and would soon have them over for a housewarming party. She wondered sometimes if Elric would be able to make a little gargoyle baby, but no one really knew how that worked for sure. Either way, life was turning out better than she ever imagined and yet her life with Elric was only beginning.

"Stay here, just in case," he said. She nodded and watched as he walked to answer the door, his dark hair swishing over his shoulders. The sight of his strong, protective back sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. She snickered at the sight of Peony trailing after him and stood to retrieve her.

When the door opened, Peony let out a hiss and Elric picked her up, raising an eyebrow. Peony was usually a quiet, friendly cat, hiding under a table or chair until she was used to a person, then coming out and rubbing her cheek over their hand. Right now, however, her hackles were raised and she was trying to get out of Elric's hands to get whatever was outside.

Ann jogged to the door nervously, wanting to see, but Elric put out a hand. All she could see was a gift basket sitting on the step from her point of view, and she saw Elric pull it inside before shutting the door, motioning for her to come forward. She took Peony, soothing her in her hands as Elric pulled the card off the front of the plastic wrap and opened it.

He read it aloud in his deep, soothing voice, "Hi you two. Hope you are settling in well in your new home. I hope you can come visit me soon. I would love to meet Rhiannon in person. I hope you told her that as the Oracle, I will be expecting that. After all, I helped you become the man you are and for that I think I deserve at least a thank you hug."

Ann laughed as Elric's face scrunched into a scowl. "Thank her? For chaining me?" he muttered, but Ann just put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. She was grateful to the woman for helping him find a place in this world.

"Keep reading," she said.

"Anyway, congratulations on mating. You wrote me asking exactly how that was official, but it was actually official in the giving of the ring. Though I suppose the two of you have guessed that by now. In doing so, you should share the same lifespan. I am unsure, but that is how it worked in the past. Also, you should be able to mate at certain times of the year, so get to work on that. The world needs more baby gargoyles, especially as strong as you."

Elric stopped to roll his eyes and Ann jabbed him in the side. "What, you don't want babies?" she asked.

"I do. I do not want her dictating it."

"That makes sense. What else does she say?"

"I am sending you a little welcoming gift, not that you will need it. With such a cute little family, I am sure you already feel quite at home."

"That's true. Though, I have to admit, the new place is still a bit overwhelming," Ann said.

"Change is always hard, but I will be right here for you," Elric said and she leaned against him warmly as he continued to read. "In fact, you have done such a good job adjusting to the world and doing everything I wanted for you that I am sending you a friend that I hope you can help. Someone you might know, though he is one of the quieter of your kind." Elric lowered the letter, "My kind? Shit."

"Keep reading," Ann said feeling her heard pounding.

Elric scanned the letter, "He should arrive shortly after this gift, and I hope you will welcome him. Remember, you were once lost in this world too. He maybe a bit of a pill, having just woken up, but you were once newly awoken and you did okay. He needs some guidance, and who better to show him this world than someone who has just been shown it? He has been awake three weeks."

Elric cursed, "That is just after we defeated Aloys. She wasted no time."

"Well, it worked well with you, maybe she thought she should hurry and try again."

"Shit," Elric said. "Who is it?" He scanned the letter. "Damn it, who is it?" He exhaled in frustration. "She does not say."

"Is that the end of the letter?" Ann asked. She was tingling with anticipation of what kind of gargoyle could be next. Would he be more like Elric or like that evil Aloys?

"No, here is the rest." He cleared his throat, "I hope you will show him the hospitality he showed you. He is collared and should not be of any danger to you or your mate. I hope you take this opportunity to show me your leadership ability. I have faith in you, Elric. Also, your other duties will be suspended until further notice. This is one important gargoyle."

Elric handed her the finished letter and shook his head, "I cannot believe she would do this. I have an idea who it could be though…"

Ann put an arm through his and rested her head against him. Her other hand stroked his arm, calming him. She could sense he was on high alert. "It'll be okay. The Oracle brought us together. I trust her, and I trust you. We're going to be okay. It'll be another adventure."

Elric took a deep breath, "You are correct. If you are here, I can do anything, and gargoyles are always up for an adventure."

There was a sharp knock on the door and they looked at each other. This was it.

"I will get it," Elric said. "You keep Peony close, got it?"

"Got it," she said, taking deep breaths to calm herself while Elric put his hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly.

The door swung open to reveal a tall, muscular man on the front porch. He looked nothing like Elric or Aloys. He looked more like a squeaky clean super hero that fought for good and justice. Classic, boy next door features, wide, straight jaw, elegant nose, arched brows. But his eyes. She had never seen anything like them. Underneath blond lashes, shades of every kind of blue swirled inside them. Bright, almost neon blue on the inside of the iris, deep sparkling blue in a ring on the outside, and in between, a teal cerulean like a sparkling ocean. His eyes were large in his face, but he still looked masculine. Handsome. Perhaps it was his linebacker build, tall and broad. But his movements were elegant, refined. He leaned against the doorway and studied them with cautious eyes.

"Dmitrei?" Elric said astonished.

"That's right, Nyrelric," the stranger said. "I'm back."