Epilogue
Chance lay naked on the bed, staring up at the stars painted on the canopy above him and Moira, sated and relaxed. The August weather had been unreasonably hot that week, and the high, dry winds required constant vigilance for wildfires. Kotoyeesinay’s glade magic couldn’t protect the whole mountain range, so physical methods were needed, including superior shifter senses and strength.
Tinsel’s magical frosty air conditioning offered welcome comfort, especially after the pleasurable exertion of making love. His poor mate needed the cool air just as badly—femalePanthera leo atroxeswere designed for the Ice Age, too.
He’d been terrified he’d screw up her change, and made Shiloh and his husband, who turned out to be a jaguar demigod from South America, stay on call until he was sure she’d made the transition and would thrive. Her beast was the noblest creature he’d ever seen, and she took to four-footed movements with amazing speed and grace.
“Alaska.” He heard the yawn in her word.
He shook his head. “Too political. Wolves and bears are constantly fighting over dwindling resources, they victimize the caribou shifter clans, and they all think they’re too good for the native humans. And if the oil rigs come back, it’ll stink on ice.”
She snorted. “You’re a punny man.” She intertwined her fingers with his. “Where do you want to go?”
“Michigan Upper Peninsula. Introduce me to your foster parents, so they see I’m not a monster and quit worrying so much.”
“It was just the one email. I think they were afraid I’d joined a cult or something. I couldn’t very well tell them we’re staying in Kotoyeesinay because the elves granted me sanctuary so I can learn magic, and get better at turning into a prehistoric beast who could catch and eat a moose for breakfast.” She sighed. “How long has it been since you’ve seen your parents?”
“Fifteen years. I miss them, but in shifter years, that’s like last week. I doubt anything has changed in the cold war between the cougars and the wolves, andtwoPantheras in their midst would be like throwing a lighted match on gasoline.”
She was quiet for a long while.
“Maybe,” she said thoughtfully, “we should quit trying to fly against the wind, and just go where our luck blows us, as long as it’s someplace north. I don’t think I could stand anywhere warmer, now that I can get furry. Iolo’s remodeling is done, and Tinsel is losing money for this room because she won’t let us pay her.” She rolled onto her side and rested her head on his shoulder. “If we come back by winter, maybe we could find our own place, farther away from the other shifters, so we don’t make them so nervous. Maybe even build a house, if we trade our finding magic for someone’s conjuring magic.” She chuckled. “With what Iolo overpaid us, we could build a mansion. He really has no sense of money.”
It was his turn to be quiet. “I’d like that. I’ve been traveling so long that I never even imagined owning a house and land.”
“Me, either. I used to think I was born without the nesting gene that most women seem to have.” She kissed his chest. “Turns out, I just needed to find the right someone to nest with.” She put her hand on his chest. “But I still want to go north. We could just drive there and see what there is to see.”
“You’re okay with that? I thought women liked itineraries and stuff.”
“I’m part Romani. Apparently traveling is in my blood, if my grandfather’s journal is anything to go by. The open road called to him.”
He pulled her closer. “I love you.” He sent the depth of emotion behind his words over their mating bond. He didn’t say it often enough.
“You don’t have to say it, love.” She draped her leg over his and patted her hand over his heart. “I feel it.”
Chance stretched out his new, stronger magic to turn off the bedside lamp, leaving them bathed in moonlight from the skylight. He was learning his magic just as Moira was learning hers. He took a long moment to savor the luck that had brought him his destiny. His Moira.
The painted canopy of stars reminded him of his childhood home, where the nearest city lights were hundreds of miles away. “How about the Northwest Territories in Canada?” Big, and far enough away from the Yukon to keep his parents safe. Arctic air, trees, mountains, good hunting. He’d enjoy introducing his mate to the simple animal joys of chasing snowshoe rabbits and hunting by moonlight.
A subtle wave of confluence magic washed over him.
“Fort LeBlanc,” she said sleepily.
“What?” He turned to look at her, but her eyes were closed.
“We have to help the dire wolves.”
