Epilogue

Gabriel coughed and it was the sweetest sound Aurora had ever heard. She leaned in close and tucked another pillow in behind his head. On the floor, Aurel rested quietly beside them.

“Aurora,” he sighed. “I'm not an invalid.”

“I know, but you're not as strong as you used to be. You're a mere mortal now and lucky to be alive.”

He returned her smile and took hold of her wrist, gently pulling her down onto the bed.

“Careful,” she told him. “My scar is still healing.”

Gabriel traced his finger over the tiny ridges of the symbol that had saved his life, probably more than once. “It's incredible,” he whispered. “What we've been through.”

“Gabriel when I thought I lost you, I mean really lost you, I…"

“Ssh,” he soothed. “I'm not going anywhere, okay? Not ever.”

She nodded and gently kissed his forehead. “You have your human life back just like you always wanted. Tell me, what will you do with it?”

He smiled and shook his head. “You know what? I have no absolutely no idea.”

Aurora nodded and