My Champion

  "A favor." He walked over, took her hands into his, and kissed her fingers gently. "I was raised in Éire Danu, and I know Queen Aleksandra well. So when I told Rex of your concerns about your home and asked if anything could be done about it, Rex told Father, and he shared it with the Queen. This is our mating present."

  "You got us a portal for a mating present?"

  He grinned widely and nodded.

  "But what about the city? The feral! Can anybody come through here?"

  He shook his head "That's the beauty of it. It's keyed by blood. I activated it by nicking myself so I'm able to open the door. It only requires a few drops of blood when you say the spell. I'm thinking you, Avery, Warrick, and Rex. Just a handful of people."

  "We have to bring Avery here; he has to see this."

  "So will this work?" he asked, looking unsure.

  She jumped up and threw her arms around him.

  Laughing, he pulled her close "So I take it you're happy."

  "Happy does not even begin to describe it. We could sleep here. Have breakfast, go through, and go to work. You can report to the units. I could work with Magnus. We could come back and go shopping. What? What is that look for?" she asked mid-ramble.

  He shook his head, his eyes bright. "I just realized I've never seen you like this."

  "Happy. Yes, you have," she said "I may not have been a rambling idiot, but I can guarantee you have seen me this happy. I have the proof right here." She placed his hand over her stomach.

  Declan spread his fingers over her abdomen reverently. "I will always find a way to make you happy and to give you what you need, because you are everything I need."

  "I love you, Declan."

  "Even though I come to you with danger swirling around me? Even though by staying with me we have to worry about a crazy feral on the loose and a city on the brink of political disaster?"

  "Did you ever stop to think that is why Fate sent me to you?" she asked.

  He chuckled. "My little champion, your problem-solving skills will save us all."

  Kari wrapped her arms around his waist. "I am no longer scared of the future. I do not fear the long empty days ahead." She rested her head on his chest and let the sound of his heartbeat soothe her.

  "As long as we're together, we can do anything," he said rubbing his cheek on the top of her head.

  In her heart, she knew he was right, and that they would both fight to stay together... always.

  EPILOGUE

  Grant leaned against the wall in Prince Magnus' antechamber. He watched as the leaders of the city sat around discussing what had happened at the fair that day. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Meryn sat down with a piece of paper and pencil. She placed the piece of paper on the coffee table and closed her eyes while holding the pencil. All around them the room was nothing but cacophony of noise and conversations, but his attention was on the small human.

  What on earth was she up to now?

  After a few moments of her not moving, he became concerned. He walked over and sat beside her, tapping her on the shoulder. "You okay?" he asked.

  She opened one green peeper and stared up at him for a moment, then opened both of her eyes. "I'm trying to predict the lottery numbers."

  He blinked. "What?" he asked.

  "Well, it seems like I can do this prediction thing. I want to hit the lottery at least once. Do you know how many Hot Pockets and how much Doctor Who stuff I could buy?" She closed her eyes and held the pencil on the paper again.

  Shaking his head in amazement, he stood and headed toward the door.

  "Grant?" Adriel called out.

  "Yes, sir" he replied, turning.

  "I am assigning you Level Six tomorrow."

  Grant nodded, wincing internally. There was no patrol he hated more than walking around Level Six. He wasn't the most social warrior and everyone, it seemed, wanted to talk to him. He had no idea what to do or what to