Bonus Epilogue – Rory and Asa

Thank you so much for reading Ruin. As a token of my appreciation for loving the Kindred and Kindred: The Fated as much as I do, here is an EXCLUSIVE bonus epilogue!

Six months later…

Rory’s eyes moved over Asa’s shapely bare leg to her firm ass and then to her back. She was on her stomach, her arms folded under her cheek. Her golden hair was spread out behind her. He drank in the sight of her in the morning sun that came through the window.

His life was vastly different from how it had been before he met her. It had never felt as if he had a place. It was as if he couldn’t get his feet under him. Now, they were firmly planted. He didn’t just have a place with her, he also had a purpose. And a love unlike anything he believed possible. Every morning when he woke with her beside him, he was profoundly grateful for everything—including the difficult time he’d had with his father. Without that, he wouldn’t have gone to Norway, and he never would’ve met Liss, who’d sent him after Asa.

While Rory wasn’t yet ready to see his da, his animosity toward his sire had lessened. As Asa was always quick to remind him, he had made progress. He could now talk about his family without grimacing if someone mentioned his father.

Asa drew in a deep breath. His gaze moved to her face to find her dark blue eyes trained on him. He smiled and scooted closer to her as he ran his hand down her back and over her buttocks.

“How do you always wake before me?” she grumbled.

Rory grinned. “I can no’ help it if I like to see you wake.”

“If you keep touching me like that, we won’t be leaving the bed anytime soon.”

He squeezed her ass. “You willna hear me complaining.”

“After last night, I would think you would need more time to recover.”

“I’m no’ that old,” he said and pulled her to him.

She pressed her lips to his and smiled. “I have to admit, it is a nice way to start the day.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” he teased. “You’re the one who slept hard. I wore you out.”

Asa chuckled. “I think it’s safe to say we wore each other out.”

He gave her another soft, lingering kiss that turned heated within moments. The fire for her always burned hot and bright. Each time their bodies joined was like the first time all over again. It didn’t matter if it was a wild romp or slow and sensual. He craved her. They were bound. Soulmates. This wasn’t their first life together, and it wouldn’t be their last. They’d found each other against all odds, and they would continue to do that for all eternity.

Asa straddled his hips and sat, her palms on his chest as their eyes met. He ran his hands up her hips to the indent of her waist and then continued upward to cup her breasts. Rory thumbed her nipples and watched as her lips parted on a soft moan. Her head dropped back, her hair tickling his legs.

He gripped her hips and was about to lift her so he could slide inside her when Frida cooed from outside. Rory had come to understand the sounds the owl made, and that one was to alert them that someone approached.

“Well,” Asa said breathlessly as she bent over him. “I suppose you’ll have to wait until tonight.”

“I can bloody well tell them to come back,” he grumbled.

She laughed as she gave him a quick kiss and rose to dress. “Next time, wake me instead of watching me sleep.”

“Or perhaps the Varroki could come later in the morning.” Rory sat up and raked a hand through his hair.

“I seem to remember you telling them to be here this early.”

Her voice grew distant as Asa walked into the kitchen area. Rory swung his legs over the bed. He sat there for a moment, a smile on his face. His gaze moved to the Sutherland kilt that hung over a chair. He stood and dressed. When he walked out of their room, he heard Asa talking to someone outside.

Rory opened the door and got his first look at the newest group of Varroki that Jarin had brought to them. Some came to talk to Asa about tattoos, and others were there to train with him. Rory had been shocked when Jarin and Brom had suggested it to him. They were warlocks and witches. What could he possibly teach them? But Jarin had been adamant, and Rory had given in. He was glad he had.

Jarin had told him that too many wanted to train with him. Rory hadn’t believed it at first, and his first training was just for a day. But the Varroki kept coming back. So, Rory then set up weeklong training. Some returned several times.

And each time, Rory was surprised to see his new pupils.

He wasn’t the only one teaching, however. With each set of students, he learned something new to implement if he ever went into battle again. He hoped that wouldn’t happen, but he would always be prepared. His father had taught him that much, and he could think that now without any anger.

Progress. Not quite absolution, but perhaps he would be able to forgive his father someday.

Jarin met his gaze as he closed the door behind him. The two exchanged a nod in greeting. “I hope we didn’t…interrupt anything,” Jarin said with a grin.

Rory rolled his eyes and ignored him. “Welcome,” he said to the group. “For those training with me, we’ll start on the north slope.”

As the group ambled off, Jarin approached. “And you doubted me.”

“It’s been six months. When are you going to stop saying that?”

Jarin met his gaze and smiled. “Never.”

“That’s what I feared,” Rory muttered.

Jarin slapped him on the back before walking toward the north slope. “Don’t keep us waiting,” the warlock called.

It wasn’t surprising that Jarin stayed to train. Rory quite enjoyed sparring with him. As he followed Jarin, Rory’s gaze met Asa’s as she talked to two women about the designs for their tattoos. He winked, and she blew him a kiss, which made the women smile.

Aye, he had a good life. And he planned to enjoy every second of it.

If you enjoyed the series so far, be sure to find out what happens in Armir’s book which is AVAILABLE NOW. As an author’s note…Armir and Malene were so much fun to write. And they deserved to finally be happy. I hope you pick up their story and see why I love them so much.