Fire's Ice (12 page)
“Mmm. What sort of business?”
Whispering into his ear she said, “Well…it involves a certain promise and bubbles, lots of them.”
“Oh, yeah, that promise.” His next words were silenced by Ari’s kiss.
Epilogue
Scotland–Glen McLoch, two years later
Arianne’s screams sounded off the stone walls of Glen McLoch. Devin knelt behind her in their bed, cradling her, supporting her back as she struggled to bring their children into the world. Fear tore through him as much as pain rent her body. Ten hours of labor had taken a toll on his wife. He did what he could to ease Ari’s suffering as Kate, Liv and Rhiannon whispered words of encouragement.
“Almost there, sweetheart. You’re doing great.”
“Oh shut up, Devin. I’m going to–” Arianne’s words were lost as another stronger contraction demanded her attention.
“One more push, Arianne,” Kate coaxed.
“You keep saying that. I can’t. I can’t.” She leaned back into his arms.
“Yes you can. Think how wonderful it will be to hold our sons. Push, baby. I’ve got you.”
A loud cry filled the room, lights flickered and thunder roared in the cloudless night sky outside once, twice and then a third time as Ari brought their triplets into the world. Kate took them one by one, checking them over quickly before passing them off to be cleaned up by Liv and Rhiannon.
“Hear that, Ari? That’s our sons crying. I love you, so much.” Devin kissed the top of her head, tears in his eyes. He hadn’t dared to hope for this day while he’d been trapped by the spell.
“Are they okay? Kate? Please?” Arianne asked as Devin tried to see the babies through his cousins while they rushed around the room.
“Not to worry. Your sons are fine.” Kate patted her knee.
“I want to see them,” Arianne demanded.
“Just a few moments more. Let’s get you settled first.”
Several minutes later, Devin watched as Kate placed one baby in Ari’s arms while Liv settled the second there as well.
Rhiannon gave the third child to him and kissed his cheek. “Congratulations, Da. They’re perfect.”
“Like their father.” Arianne tilted her mouth up to kiss him. “I love you, Devin, so much.”
“I love you more,
a ghra
. Ready to invite our family in?”
“I am.” She whispered the spell he’d taught her, crooked her finger and the bedroom door flew open. Everyone filed in, all talking at once.
“Shh, everyone,” Kate ordered. “Arianne needs her rest. A quick peek and then everybody out.”
“They’re so tiny,” Allie said as she held Aiden and Aaron’s hands. “I want at least two.”
Ryan mimicked a heart attack. “Get married and live it up first, you’re just eighteen.”
“Kidding, Dad.”
“Sure you were,” Jack chimed in, as one-year-old Lainie slept on his shoulder. “How’s that book coming along?”
“Uncle Jack! You promised that would be a secret!”
“It still is. I didn’t say what kind of book, now did I?” Jack wiggled his eyebrows at her and Devin realized exactly what kind of stories Allie wrote. He glanced at his smiling wife, who mouthed the words
told you
.
“What kind is it?” Ryan asked and Allie turned a deep shade of red. “What kind, Jack?”
“My sort with vampires,” Jack answered and Allie glared at him.
“Allie!” Kate chimed in.
“I’d love to read for you. When you’re ready, sweetie.” This came from Rhiannon, who was washing her hands in the adjoining bathroom. “You know we love you no matter what.”
God, he loved them. The craziness. All their different little quirks. Stroking a hand down Ari’s hair to smooth it, he kissed the top of her head. “Go ahead, sweetheart.”
“Meet Vaughn, Grayson and Cian, our sons,” Ari said.
Devin watched as their extended family formed a circle around the bed. Hands linked, they spoke a blessing in unison. And when the last one had left, he cradled his wife as she nursed Grayson while his other sons slept in bassinets beside the bed.
“I love you, Devin.”
“And I love you.” Leaning in, Devin kissed her gently. Here was true power, true magic, the sort that only came from the heart.
Brynna Curry
Do you miss the Corrigan bunch already? I sure do. After several years of spending long hours at the keyboard with these rascals–a labor of love for sure–it feels like I'm losing close friends. While the Elemental Magic series has come to an end, the Corrigans, especially Devin, are going to be around for a little while longer. Allie, Aiden, Raine and the others need their own happy ending too. Right?
Want to see what kind of trouble I'm stirring up? Then visit
http://shadowsofsevenseries.blogspot.com/p/shadows-of-light-book-1-allies-story.html
to read about Allaina Corrigan's story, the first book in a new series. It's going to take a special kind of hero to hold Allie's heart. I think you'll agree Kail McKenna is the perfect guy…err vampire for the job.
Brynna’s Website:
Reader email:
Also by Brynna Curry
Elemental Magic Series
Earth Enchanted
To Take Up the Sword
Wait For the Wind
Sea’s Sorceress
Fire’s Ice
Triple Star Ranch Series
Claiming Ana
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2012 Brynna Curry
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Electronic Edition: June 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-395-6