The King final epilogue

A/N: The Captain's Entertainer is about Dee's descendant. Her story (The Captain's Entertainer) is now complete

DEE

When Vadnar returns, I explain everything. He’s skeptical about the supposed magical ring, but we put it aside.

We go for a walk around the grounds, fingers entwined. He looks around the garden. At first I think he’s enjoying the flowers but then realize he’s scanning the corners for intruders.

It makes my heart ache that he’s on high alert. That he can't enjoy something as simple as a walk now that he’s a king while I’m free to admire the stars and everything in between.

I make a mental note to make it up to him later.

After our walk, we share a meal with Vaine and the others. Vaine winds up standing behind Vadnar, combing his hair. Vadnar scowls but doesn’t have the strength to curse him off. We’re all amused as we watch the frowning king, but know better than to tease him.

Later that night in our bedroom, I take the dagger he’s sharpening and set it on the table. He’s confused, but the expression is wiped away when I lower myself to my knees.

His abs are drenched in the moonlight that comes from the window as I please him. Enjoying his twins, thanking them for painting my womb with his white seed.

Vadnar doesn’t care to hide his groans. He’s louder than ever, muscular thighs bound tight as my lips work him.

I pull both of his cocks into my mouth, and it doesn’t take long before I’m swallowing his warmth.

He tries to return the favor, but if he fucks me again, I’ll be bedridden. I hug him tight and tell him that was only for him. That he deserves it.

He stares at me for a long time, his expression schooled. But then he kisses my forehead, cheeks, and chin, and I realize he had been admiring me.

We lay in bed and talk about places we want to go—like the beach. Although we’re bound to this palace as it’s leaders, we want to explore beyond the walls on ocassional trips. Keep living life.

Although the road was rough on us as we were being hunted and fighting slavers, we met wonderful people and made warm memories. I want to make sure our child gets a taste of life beyond the palace.

A few days pass by, and I forget about the ring Trey brought me. I’m focused on Vadnar and this transition we’re making.

One month later, I’ve made great progress with my printing press. Vadnar has been busy, but always makes time for us. Hull moved a girl into the palace. She’s a sweetheart—even lies about liking my cooking like Hull and Vadnar do. Vaine is the only one that’s honest and tells me how awful it is. And no one can scold him for it, even me, because we love him too much.

Although I miss Cherry, Kira, and all the wonderful women of Earth that I once knew, I’m grateful to be here. This is my rightful place.

I pick up my hammer and move around the table. I run into the golden ring, and pick it up. It’s warm, although it has been sitting untouched for a month. I study it closely, but find nothing remarkable about it. What do I do with it? Do I even want to tap into a new world? Last time I did that, Vadnar and Ranrok were dragged to Earth and only one came back.

Maybe it’s best to return it to Trey. I have no use for it and have many projects to finish.

During dinner, I ask Vadnar to summon Trey. He should still be in the city. I want to return the ring to him so it doesn’t gather dust in my workshop and go forgotten.

Vadnar sends the order, and although I expect Trey to report himself in the morning, the man appears within the hour, alert and ready to serve.

It warms my heart seeing his loyalty, but I quickly assure him that everything is fine. I extend the ring to him, but he rejects it, insisting that it’s mine.

“I don’t know if it really works,” he says. “The scholar that I saved from drowning told me it was too powerful to be sitting in some library. Few people can get it to work. I only used it once and still don’t understand how I activated it.” He covers my hands with his own, and Vadnar pushes himself off the wall, growling at Trey.

Trey gets the message and releases me. “Fugue out how to use it. It may come in useful in the future. I believe in you.”

“I don’t think I want to open any new doors, Trey. I must focus on this world and everything we have to build.”

He looks disappointed, but nods. “Store it away, then. The palace will be a safer home to it.”

Vadnar rubs my back, supporting my decision.

“I don’t know…” I hesitate. “Who made this thing? Why did a scholar have it?”

“He didn’t say much. This thing’s purpose gets lost across the ages. Maybe you’ll find something in the royal library.”

I smile at him, although it still doesn’t meet my eyes. If this thing is truly a portal, I don’t know if I want to use it.

I figure there’s no harm in learning more about it. That night, I spend hours in the library, retiring only when Vadnar comes to get me. I found nothing about the ring.

I lose myself in the library over the next few weeks, obsessively studying the written myths when I get my period. It wasn’t supposed to arrive. I was supposed to get pregnant.

I focus on the ring to drown out my fear. I found a single entry about its origin. It was found embedded in a fallen rock. A meteorite. That’s all I’ve found.

It takes me two months to learn how to use it. It only works during sunset, when the certain angles of the light touch it. The positioning of my fingers also has an effect on it. Sometimes I hear voices of random conversations that last about five minutes. Sometimes I see faces.

My period cycle arrives month after month—lighter, but present. Vadnar hasn’t expressed any concern, neither have I. We just keep trying.

I fear there’s something wrong with me, but I refuse to ask questions as if that would make the problem a reality. Instead, I cling onto the ring.

I swap though dozens of conversations, unsure of what I’m searching for. There are arguments between strangers, singing, random chatter of Zolans. Of strangers.

I’m unsure what the purpose of this portal is if I can’t interact with those across. Whether I speak, I go unheard. This is merely a window. Or maybe I don’t know how to use it that well.

Vadnar doesn’t ask me much about the ring. I think he dislikes it because he thinks it has the power to take me away. We’ve both had enough experiences with portals.

I set the ring on the grass beside me, stretching my arms over my head. It’s about time I went inside. Tomorrow is another day I’ll spend lost in the library, searching for clues about the ring. Anything to distract me from my empty womb and gnawing apprehension.

“Queen?”

I turn around, looking for the voice that calls for me. No one is there.

And then in dawns on me: I’ve just heard English. Not Zolan. English.

How? Troy is nowhere around. He left to tour another continent months ago and he’s the only other English speaker on Zolan.

“H—hello?” I rasp.

“Yes! Please, we don’t have much time. The connection will end in minutes.”

My eyes fall to the ring. It’s speaking. I’m being heard and spoken to.

I kneel on the grass and set my hands beside the ring. “How is this possible? Who are you?”

“My name is A’ria. I’m in Zolan at a different time. Centuries ahead from you.”

A different time? Is that how the ring works, then? Connected not by space, but time?

“You—you have your own ring? Where did you get it?”

“I’m using your ring. The same one you’re holding in your hands right now. I’ve been searching for you for years. I read accounts about a Zolan Queen much like myself. Human. One that ruled centuries ago.”

My head pounds. I can’t understand anything.

This is a single ring, duplicated across time: the past and the future. A brilliant design. A dangerous power.

“You’re from Earth too?” I ask.

“I am. A handful of us were tossed out of Earth because of a botched NASA experiment.”

Incredible. I knew that Kira’s experiment tossed Troy and I here, but I had no idea it tossed us back in time, too.

“Why… why are you looking for me?” I ask, my voice thick as an existential crisis grips my throat.

“I promised myself that I would find all the women and tell them they’re not alone. That although you lost Earth, someone has you in their thoughts. I’m thinking about you, somewhere across space and time. I understand you. I’m proud of you. I hope you find strength in my words when you need them. The books I’ve read about you tell me you’ll have many trials ahead, but you’ll thrive.”

Tears streak down my face. I don’t know this girl—this A’ria, but she knows everything about my uncertain life and promises it will work out. That what Vadnar and I are building will be fruitful. That’s the best gift the universe could ever give me

“Are you happy?” I ask, sniffling.

“I am,” she laughs. “I have my love here. And I know you do, too.”

My tears curve when I smile as I think of Vadnar.

“Thank you for your gift, A’ria from another time. I hope you find all the other humans and give them the same welcome.”

“Yes. I’ll let you return to your life. I hope you remember me.”

“Wait,” I blurt, biting my lip as a question burns my tongue.

She hesitates. “Yes?”

“Will I… Will I ever be a mother?”

“Many times over, Queen. Your family line will rule the world for centuries.”

My heart throbs with happiness. I’m extremely fortunate. Not everyone gets a glimpse of the future.

“Thanks, A’ria. May we meet again.”

We don’t speak after that. I shove the ring in my dress pocket and struggle to wrap my mind around what just happened.

I wonder if I will tell Vadnar. Should I save the message for a time of weakness, when he’s insecure about his future? Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Save this gift for when he needs it.

I grab the ring, deciding that it’s time to put it into storage. For now, I don’t have use for it, although I’m grateful to have experienced its magic.

Enough of portals. Of switching worlds. I want to enjoy my present life. My wonderful friends and lover. There is so much we have yet to do, laugh about, and learn.

I was a NASA scientist ages ago. I had been content with my life, but couldn’t have imagined how many ways I was lacking. Vadnar completes me. I might have lost Earth and NASA, but gained a kingdom with him.

I find him in the dining room, arms crossed as he leans against the wall. He extends an arm when he sees me, and I walk to his side.

His arms come around me and he kisses my hair. I follow his eyes. He’s looking outside. Hull and Vaine are jumping rope like children.

“How the hell did we win the war with these two imbeciles in the ranks?”

I chuckle. “That’s not nice, Vadnar.”

He grunts. “You learned I’m not nice the day you stumbled into my farm.”

I kiss his neck. “We should go back there someday.”

“Sure, and we’ll shove Trey in the shed like good old times.”

I laugh and lead him outside. He argues but relents. Vaine and I take turns jumping rope, but I only manage to jump for a few minutes before nausea makes my stomach turn.

I walk away from the rope and into Vadnar’s arms.

“What’s wrong? You’re paler,” he says, rubbing my back.

I smile against his chest. Life sure has a way of keeping me on my toes. I finally get the sign I've waited months for while being under a clear, beautiful sky and in my lover’s embrace.

I wonder if the gods connected A’ria and I today for a reason. The same day they gave me my sign.

“Just a little nauseous. Why don’t you take me inside to make me feel better?”

His hold tightens on me, pulling me closer, shamelessly nipping my ear although our friends are nearby.

“Of course, my Queen.”

He leans me upstairs by the hand, walking eagerly. I giggle, the sound echoing down the hall. Vadnar’s deep chuckle mixes with mine in perfect harmony.

We enter our bedroom and he doesn’t even get to lock the doors before he’s on me. These Zolan masters are a wild, ferocious gift of the universe. And I can’t get enough of mine.

End :)

READ RANROK PART 1   | OR READ THE CAPTAIN'S ENTERTAINER (Zolan Book 4)

Description:
I’m half-human, half-Zolan—the descendant of Queen Dee and King Vadnar. My family and I have lived our whole lives hiding from the world on an isolated island.

After years of staring at the horizon, I decide to leave the island. My curiosity leads me to a military camp, but the only jobs available are for Entertainers. With no other option, I enlist as an Entertainer and avoid the Masters. But then I meet The Captain and realize I can't keep hiding. His dark, hungry gaze is impossible to ignore. He's interested in me and convinced I'm an Entertainer. Admitting otherwise will get me kicked out of camp.

This is Book 4 of The Zolan series. It's recommended to first read The King (Zolan Book 3), but not required

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