“I will never let you go again,” he whispered as he broke the kiss. And he meant it.
EPILOGUE
Gemma
When Gemma had thought she couldn’t dance any more or laugh any harder, she’d been proven wrong time and time again. Now, her feet were sore and her voice was hoarse as if she’d been screaming on rollercoasters for days on end, and for the most part, it felt like she’d been doing just that. She grinned happily as she overlooked Gold Valley from half-way up the trail that led to the Bluewing mansion. To her mansion.
The town was bathed in light and laughter, loud music pumping into the air in what seemed like an endless celebration of joy. It felt like every single person in town had joined in on the festivities, glad to share in Gemma and Devon’s happiness. She sat on the green grass, her sandals next to her, and her toes digging around in the fresh grass. The party had taken its toll on her, and she was perfectly content to just enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle.
It was still hard to get used to the person she had become. That she was no longer just Gemma Teeley, but Gemma Bluewing, the billionaire dragon’s mate. But, it wasn’t something that she found in any way, shape or form unpleasant. Oh no. She was glad to be a dragon’s bride. As far as she was concerned, he could have been a farmer in Alabama or a fisherman in Alaska for all she cared, she just wanted to be with him.
The cocky façade that Devon had held up so dearly for the public, had hidden a kind, courageous man and one who made her heart beat like nothing else and her skin tingle with anticipation for his touch every time he was near. It was bliss.
And the fact that it felt so good (both just being around him and, well, the other stuff) was probably also why Gemma and Devon had kept so long from making an official announcement to the town. Almost a month had passed from their ceremony under the gold moon. They had spent the time wisely – never leaving one another’s sight for more than a few moments.
Devon had shown her all the secrets of the mansion, eager to share his world. And she had been glad to learn, showing him some tricks of the trade as well. Apparently, in her eagerness to make him run around, Gemma had found some nooks and crannies in the mansion that even the fabled Bluewing didn’t know about. Of course, they’d put them to great use right away. And, whenever she had the time, Gemma had taken to solving another great mystery waiting to be unraveled – cataloging the exact contents of the Bluewing hoard.
She imagined it would give her a lifetime of work, but for a goldsmith there was no greater joy than to learn and appreciate the fine craftsmanship of artists that had come before her. Even Devon had taken to the idea. It meant having her with him whenever he went to inspect the caverns, and her company was something he couldn’t seem to get enough of. The feeling was entirely mutual.
“Tired already, my love?” Devon’s voice called, his strong, limber body coming up the hillside with effortless steps, as if he hadn’t been dancing the night away for the past ten hours. Dawn was almost breaking over the mountains, the first pinkish-yellow rays peeking over the horizon.
“No, just thought I’d take a breather,” Gemma admitted, smiling to her husband. Devon crouched down on his haunches next to her and kissed her gently on the lips, the way he often did. She smiled and rested her hand on his knee, feeling his taut muscles underneath the black fabric. The emerald and sapphire bangle around her wrist jangled a little as she moved her hand, and reflexively, she brought her hand up to the sapphire pendant that hung around her neck.
Feeling the cool stone under her touch soothed her. Just like the dragon stone before it, she knew that it would always bring Devon to her. Without fail.
“I think your parents are taking quite a shine to me,” Devon boasted, chuckling. Gemma snorted.
“You’re a Bluewing. I don’t think it takes much for them to give you the title of ‘Best Son-In-Law Ever’. They loved you before they knew you. As does all of Gold Valley.”
“I’d like to think they’ll love me more now that I am with you.”
“You mean now that you’re not being a complete jerk?”
“And that, sure,” Devon admitted, smirking slightly. Gemma giggled at the face he made. Yes, Devon Bluewing was certainly easier to love when he wasn’t being a complete bastard. She was the first one to attest to that, though she had to admit that the bad boy side of him held a certain charm to it.
Devon took her hand in his and kissed it. Heat spread where his lips met her skin, and she shuddered a little as the flames reached her spine and then down to her core. It seemed physically impossible to not want him. Somehow, coming back to Gold Valley had given her all the things she thought she had lost for good – a sense of purpose, something to strive for and to look forward to. No longer was she the odd one out, always searching for where she belonged.