Healing Aiden (Lords of Discord #5) - Jocelynn Drake Page 0,92

not strong enough to win in a fight, then that was what fate willed.”

“But tonight—”

“My resolve broke. I broke.”

“You didn’t,” Ronan forcefully said, immediately rallying to Aiden’s defense. The warmth it conjured in his chest was short-lived, though.

“I did, my prince.” Aiden lifted his head to look into Ronan’s dark, worried eyes. He refused to run from this. “I think the threats against my family have steadily worn me down over the past several years. For too long, we fought constant attacks from those who saw us as a threat because of Julianna, because of our close bond, and ultimately, because too many sensed that I was incredibly old. We won each time, but I could always see a new battle waiting on the horizon. I was tired.”

“And I was the final straw that broke your resolve.”

“No, Ronan. You were my first glimmer of hope. You were the first thing I wanted for myself in so very long. I’m not proud of what happened tonight, but I refused to be bullied by the Ministry another second. They needed to know that I would protect my family, my mate, with everything that I had.”

Ronan’s arms tightened around him and captured Aiden’s mouth in a long, demanding kiss, wiping away any lingering doubts. “Thank you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for risking the lives of your children for me.”

Aiden smiled against Ronan’s lips. “I think it’s adorable that you think I could have stopped them from accompanying me.” Ronan chuckled and Aiden rested his head back on his lover’s chest.

“Do you think it’s over?” Ronan asked quietly in the darkness.

He didn’t even need to think about his answer. “No. The Ministry isn’t the type to just let this go, even if it is in their best interests. We’ll be hearing from them again, but it won’t be any time soon.”

“That would be nice. A little peace and quiet—” A bark of laughter jumped from Aiden’s throat and he pressed his face into Ronan’s chest. “What? You don’t think it will be quieter now that the Ministry has been at least temporarily taken care of?”

Aiden lifted his head and grinned broadly down at his lover. “I know you haven’t been here long, but you have met my sons. Do you honestly think they are capable of peace and quiet?”

Ronan’s nose wrinkled and his brow furrowed as some thought crossed his mind. “No. You’re right. They will definitely find some mischief.”

With a happy sigh, Aiden placed his head on Ronan’s chest again. “Welcome to the Varik clan.”

Epilogue

“Hey! We agreed no powers!” Rafe’s voice echoed off the walls and high ceiling of the foyer. It was followed by the furtive shuffle of feet and an evil laugh from possibly Fox. That last cackle was definitely from Ethan.

Aiden could only shake his head as he picked up his glass from the floor, sipped the warm blood, and set it down again. He snuggled back against Ronan, who was somehow lightly dozing through all the noise.

It was Christmas morning. Well, three a.m. on Christmas morning. The family room glowed with candlelight and twinkle lights on the giant tree in the corner of the room. At Ethan’s request, the family had gathered together on Christmas Eve for dinner before exchanging gifts. Not that anyone needed anything. The presents were largely tongue-in-cheek jokes. Marcus and Ethan had gotten a child’s chemistry set for Bel. Rafe had presented the wolves with squeaky chew toys. His darling children had gotten him a candy crown and a lube-dispensing scepter.

But apparently, Ronan’s gifts to all of them were proving to be the best.

Closing his eyes, Aiden let his mind drift as he listened to the steady rhythm of Ronan’s heart under his ear. His mate had stretched out on the comfortable couch and pulled Aiden on top of him with a soft throw blanket tossed over their legs.

Never in his life had he imagined that he’d be right where he was. A thousand years ago as a human, he’d been prepared to watch the man he loved marry another, father children, and fight to protect his small kingdom. Their life would have been nothing more than stolen glances and maybe a warm hand on his shoulder in the darkest of moments.

As a vampire, it had taken him centuries to crawl out of the blood and violence to bask so briefly in the light of Julianna. Their time had been so very short, but he was forever grateful for the gift of

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