Sword of Darkness

Epilogue



Four years later



Seren sat quietly in her room in front of her loom, nursing her infant son as he cooed and suckled. Her heart pounding with love for him, she gently brushed at his mop of dark hair. She so loved the quiet times alone with the baby. She treasured those as much as she treasured the quiet times alone with her husband.

A smile curled her lips as she thought about Kerrigan, and a thick warmness consumed her. Even after four years, she still loved him more than her own life.

"You look just like your father," she whispered as her baby suckled her. At two months in age, Liam held the same dark hair and light blue eyes. Aye, he would be a strong knight one day. She could just imagine how handsome he would be…

Suddenly, there was a flash in front of her.

Frowning, she looked up to see Kerrigan sitting on the floor with Alethea held in his lap. The two of them looked as if they were up to some great mischief. As was typical, Kerrigan had their daughter dressed as a squire in tunic and hose, while tendrils of her dark hair had come free of their braids.

Aggravation filled her as they laughed together. "What have you two done now?"

Sobering, they both gave her an innocent stare that she knew belied their actions.

Her daughter actually managed to look a tiny bit contrite. "Alethea did nothing, Mommy."

But by the gleam in Kerrigan's eyes, she knew he couldn't say the same.

And then she heard it. The heavy footfalls in the hallway. Seren had barely managed to cover herself and her son before the door was thrown open.

Looking toward the disturbance, she burst into laughter.

Agravain stood in the doorway with a furious glower on his face. That wasn't so bad. It was the horns on his head and green hair and beard that made him look so fearsome.

"This is not funny," he snarled. "Fix me back."

Seren forced herself to sober. "Alethea, what has mommy told you about practicing your magic on Uncle Agravain?"

She gave her a sweet, innocent stare. "But Daddy said it would make Uncle Aggie look better. Doesn't he look even more handsome now?"

Agravain let out a deep, guttural growl.

Seren cleared her throat to keep from laughing again. "I think Uncle Aggie would appreciate it if you would turn him back into the way he was."

"Oh," Alethea said innocently. "Very well." She pointed her tiny finger at him. The horns quickly melted back into his hair which then returned to blond.

"Thank you," Agravain said to Seren. He cast a feral glare at Kerrigan before he turned to leave.

And as he was walking out the door, she saw Kerrigan gesture toward him.

Two seconds later, just as Agravain was closing the door, a long, forked tail sprouted from his rear.

Alethea burst out laughing as she jumped up and down in Kerrigan's lap and clapped.

Seren shook her head at them. "What am I to do with the two of you? 'Tis a wonder Agravain hasn't killed you."

Kerrigan's warm laughter filled her ears. "I told you long ago, my love, that there was only so much changing I could do."

Aye, and he'd been right. The man was still evil to the marrow of his bones, and both she and Merlin had their hands full trying to curb his demon form.

Kerrigan lifted Alethea off his lap before he came over to her. He pulled the blanket back so that he could lean over and kiss Liam on the head. Liam let go of her to coo at his father, and she saw the heat that came into Kerrigan's eyes as he saw her bared breast.

Embarrassed, Seren covered herself while her daughter crawled under the bed to fetch her box of dolls.

Kerrigan gently nuzzled her cheek with his face. "You are ever beautiful, my mouse."

"And you are ever evil."

He winked playfully. "Aye, I am and I enjoy it so." Then his face turned darkly earnest. "But not nearly as much as I enjoy you. I love you, my Seren."

"And I love you."

Overwhelmed by her emotions, she leaned forward to kiss him, only to have their embrace broken by a shrill shout.

"Kerrigan, you evil bastard!"

Seren pulled back with a laugh. "I think Agravain found his tail."

His eyes turned devilish before they flashed to black. "That's all right. It's what he won't be finding next that'll have him even more furious."

Seren cringed for the poor unsuspecting knight. But at least her life was never boring. Grateful for that, she kissed him again and knew that no matter what, they would always be together.