Notes - It's doooone. Boy, I'm slightly sad it's over. Again, thank youuuuu for reading!
Disclaimer - While I do wish that I had a hand in writing up the Tortallan universe, we all know that the ever-fabulous Tamora Pierce was its sole creator. So yeah, I don't own these characters. At all.
Epilogue
"Has Numair arrived back at court, then?" Alanna asked her husband in front of her. She was looking curiously over the baron's shoulder at the stack of reports that were placed on his desk. It had been exactly a month since the stormy events of the Divine Realms, and weeks since they'd last heard from their sorcerer friend.
George looked up and handed the Lioness a letter, neatly written in Numair's elegant scrawl. He chuckled. "Safely at court and rearin' to go back to his tower, it looks like. I'm hopin' he didn't jostle her imperial highness too much on the road."
The baron of Pirate's Swoop was met with a light swat on the forehead. Alanna had rolled up the letter and formed a delicate weapon clenched within her palm. She was glaring at an evenly tanned face. George flashed her his pearly whites, hazel eyes dancing with amusement. "He knows better than to get his heart terribly broken so easily, George."
"Doesn't stop anyone from canoodlin' any," he quickly dodged the Lioness' second swat by grabbing her waist and pulling her down onto his lap. Alanna struggled a bit, surprised at the sudden move. But like the cat that she was, she calmed down as a strong hand stroked the base of her neck. When she was properly fitted into his encircling arms, George laughed again. "Stop worryin' over our sorcerer friend. In due time, he'll find someone."
"I suppose," Alanna said, though she was still frowning. "I'm just hoping things would at least settle down for a bit. I'd rather we not have anything else to do with divine beings for the rest of our lives, too. Didn't we already do enough?"
"Let me get this straight. The Lioness is askin' for peace and quiet?" George raised an eyebrow. "I thought I'd be well under way in visitin' the Black God afore I hear you say that."
The coppery-red haired lady knight ignored the last statement and chose to snuggle underneath the baron's chin instead. She was comfortable in his arms and she settled her head beside his neck, breathing regularly. There was a long, quiet pause. When it seemed like Alanna had fallen asleep, George moved his hand and caressed her face.
"Alanna."
"Yes, laddy-me-love?"
"Happy anniversary."