Well, that's that. Your epilogue. Hope you like it!

Cinder touched the headstone lightly, tracing the engraved whorls and letters.

Sage Sablewood

Beloved Son, Friend, and True

Servant to the Crown

She tried to visit him as often as she could, between the union and council meetings and the various duties, she owed to the throne, but still not as often as she would like. It was peaceful in the marble stone Blackburn mausoleum and Cinder loved the quiet, the stillness she had to herself. Cinder came here to collect her thoughts and there was something about the utter silence and serene environment that gave her a bit of comfort.

Perhaps, frequenting a place of the dead was a bit morbid. In fact, her actions elicited quite a few curious looks from her court, but Cinder never cared. Let them think what they wanted. She owed them no explanation.

Cinder placed the bouquet of calla lilies on the floor and sat back. "It's our first anniversary today," she started softly. The mausoleum threw her quiet voice back at her, the sound echoing around the chamber. Cinder slumped beside Sage's plaque and fiddled with her wedding ring nervously. She laughed, the sound tense and apprehensive, even to her ears. The empress grimaced. "I don't know why I'm so anxious, it's not as if it's going to be any different from any other day," she paused, thinking it over. "Well, I guess it is kind of different, but-" Cinder broke off and groaned.

She tried again. "I haven't seen him in over a week, due to the problems that sprung up here and there in Luna. I was so busy I nearly forgot until Kai reminded me last night during our nightly vid-chat." She placed her head in her hands and rubbed her temples. "What kind of a wife am I that I would forget my own anniversary? I haven't even gotten him a gift yet. I wouldn't know what to give him." Cinder tucked her legs in and fell silent.

"I wish you were here, Sage," she whispered finally. "You would know exactly how to counsel me. Scarlet said that she had taken a day off and spent the whole day with Wolf." Cinder chuckled. "I'm pretty sure she cooked him an omelette for breakfast or something. There was also a tomato? I don't know why they are so obsessed with that fruit. But you know that I'm a menace in the kitchen anyway, so that didn't help." She smiled slightly. "But I hope Kai knows how much I don't regret us. I wouldn't change anything. In any situation or life. I would choose him, I'd always choose him, no matter what."

Cinder remembered that day three years ago. They had dated for the past year or so and Kai had looked so guilty that day as they lounged in his bed together.

"What's wrong?" she asked, frowning. Kai avoided her gaze and bit his lip. "Kai," Cinder said. "You can tell me anything, you know that right?" He said nothing. She sighed and pushed herself up, kissing his cheek. "You don't need to tell me if you don't want to, but know I'm here for you." When Cinder received no response, she laid back down and wrapped her arms around his waist, closing her eyes. She hadn't expected Kai to say anything, but Kai inhaled sharply as if he was in pain.

"I slept with Tandoori," he blurted out, "that day after our date in the gardens." Cinder stilled, then sat up again, crossing her legs.

"And why are you telling me this?" she asked cautiously, curiously. Cinder kept her face expressionless, which was a bit more arduous than she had expected.

"I'm sorry," Kai whispered. "I was just so angry, and I wasn't thinking clearly and I mistakenly thought for a moment that if I had more of her... If I spent more time with her, I would forget about you and-" His mouth snapped shut. "Stars, I know that was wrong. I used her to hurt you and I'm-" Cinder stopped his rambling by placing a finger against his lips. She frowned.

"You looked like that, like you were going to die of guilt because of Tandoori?" she asked, clarifying. He nodded, his features so unbelievably vulnerable. Cinder raised a hand to rub her forehead and Kai flinched back as if he thought she would strike him.

"Kai," she said gravely. He peeked up at her through lowered lashes and paled, seeing her serious expression. He scrambled onto his knees on the bed, copper eyes wild and fearful.

"I'm sorry. I am so selfish, I know. I shouldn't have done it-" he stopped as Cinder sighed.

"I knew that you had slept with Tandoori," she said.

Kai looked even more horrified. "You knew?" he squeaked, his voice rising higher and higher. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Cinder blinked. "It's not as if you hid it real well," she replied drily. Cinder knew they were both recalling the moment at the balcony where he had showed Tandoori off like a trophy. Kai groaned into his hands.

"I'm such a fool."

Cinder shrugged. "You have nothing to be sorry for. It was partly my fault anyway. I was the one who broke up with you. I had no real claim on you."

"I'm sorry," he mumbled again, through his fingers. Cinder pried them off of his face.

"You are the emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth," Cinder said archly. "It had been six years since I had seen you. Did you really think I believed you were celibate? Tandoori wasn't really a surprise."

Kai scowled. "I don't want you to think that what happened with Tandoori is going to be a habit. In fact, there is only one woman I want in my bed." Cinder raised an eyebrow and removed her hands.

"How presumptive of you," she drawled. Kai flushed and his ears reddened, as if he had just realized what he had said.

"Well, it's true," he argued.

Cinder's lips twitched. "Yeah, yeah , yeah. I just hope you won't just call up the first woman on your list to sleep with every time we have a fight, or I just might have to break up with you."

"It won't happen again," Kai said earnestly. Cinder leaned in to kiss his cheek.

"I know."

...

Cinder blinked, the white marble of the mausoleum flicking back into view. She exhaled loudly. And she still didn't know what to give Kai for an anniversary present. Great. Cinder huffed. She was over thinking this and a present wasn't going to fall out of the sky. She got up, too quickly. The world spun, and Cinder braced a hand on the wall to keep her balance. She felt a bout of nausea and groaned inwardly. And she was sick on top of things as well? Cinder brushed a hand over the tombstone in goodbye and ascended the stairs, the marble, solid and firm beneath her flimsy flats.

The artificial sunlight blinded her eyes after so long in the dim candles of the morgue. Cinder blinked rapidly, willing her eyes to adjust. Scarlet waited for her patiently, under the shade of a tree. The world seemed to flip over suddenly without warning and Cinder staggered drunkenly. Scarlet hurried toward her, her green eyes bright with concern. Cinder's stomach turned over and she covered her mouth as she gagged. Scarlet caught her as she stumbled again.

"Is it the heat?" Scarlet asked worriedly. Cinder couldn't answer, concentrating on not spilling her breakfast onto the grass. "Couldn't be," Scarlet muttered to herself. "You were in the mausoleum. It must have been degrees cooler in there, than out here." Her friend felt for her forehead. "No fever either." Cinder felt bile rise and she took off, back to the palace. Scarlet shouted after her, but Cinder didn't listen. She didn't make it halfway before she fell to her knees and heaved. Her breakfast splattered onto the grass. Scarling caught up and held her hair back, shouting at the guards for a physician. Cinder spat and sat back, groaning.

"What a day to get sick," she moaned. She wiped her mouth shakily, with a tissue Scarlet handed her.

Scarlet eyed her over carefully. "I don't think you're that kind of sick."

Cinder's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Wolf hurried over. "Dr. Mia is ready for her."

Scarlet nodded. "Good. Can you carry Cinder? She's a bit lightheaded." Cinder scowled, but Wolf picked her up despite her assurances that she was able to walk by herself. What was she going to tell Kai?

...

Cinder tapped her fingers impatiently on the hospital bed as she awaited the results. Scarlet glared at the offending extremities, but opted to say nothing. "I told you I was fine," she grumbled at last. "You didn't have to send me to the infirmary." Her friend rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"You are just lucky I was nice enough not to tell the prince consort or Cress. I know you well enough to know you hate their fussing."

"Thanks, I guess," Cinder said grudgingly.

The doors opened and Dr. Mia bounced in, eyes gleaming with excitement. "How's the queen?" Scarlet asked.

The doctor closed the doors and bowed. Cinder waved her up. "Your health is in perfect condition, Your Majesty. Perhaps even better than normal."

Scarlet glanced at the doctor sceptically. "You got that from her vomiting?"

Dr. Mia clasped her hands together, practically vibrating in place. "How long has it been since your last menstrual cycle, Your Majesty?"

Cinder exchanged a glance with Scarlet. She looked positively smug. Great. This couldn't be good. "How is that relevant?" she inquired cautiously. They merely stared at her expectantly. Cinder sighed and pulled up her internal calendar. This function had served her well for the last couple of years. It made sure she was never late for any social function or forgot any important conferences. Cinder started to count.

She blinked, perplexed, then counted again.

The queen sagged back into the pillows in shock. She was late. She was never late. Cinder hadn't even realized, with her hectic past weeks. Oh stars, she was- she was- "According to my calendar," Doctor Mia said, interrupting her whirling thoughts gently, "Your Majesty is late by three weeks. Congratulations, Your Majesty. You are pregnant." Cinder felt herself pale. Her hands fisted in the blankets as her breaths came in soft gasps. She was barely aware of anything but the soft patter of feet as both the doctor and Scarlet came closer.

"I think she's in shock," she heard Scarlet murmur to the doctor. To her, "Are you in danger of one of your panic attacks?" Scarlet questioned softly. Cinder blinked and shook her head.

"Are you entirely sure?" Cinder demanded, her eyes beseeching the doctor. "Could there have been some mistake?" Her hand came to rest on her tummy, almost involuntarily. Scarlet noted the movement with covered grin. Stars know she had her fair share of the experience.

Dr. Mia drew herself up, her eyes narrowed with indignation. "Pregnancy is not some elaborate joke, Your Majesty. I would not diagnose my patients with this fragile condition if the tests prove otherwise." She then proceeded to lecture her on the dos and don'ts, but Cinder had already stopped listening. Kai was always so honest and supporting about everything, but not everything was so easily fixed. Especially the problem of children. The Union and the Lunar council had been pressuring them for months now. Many doubted Cinder's ability conceive due to her being cyborg and all. Dr. Erland had reassured her over and over, but the public's misgiving echoed her own. What if she truly didn't have the ability? It had been a year, and it wasn't for lack of trying on either of their parts. But now...

She was pregnant. She was going to have a baby. Oh stars. Cinder nodded numbly to whatever Dr. Mia was saying. She glanced down at her stomach and prodded gently. Nope, still as flat as ever. It didn't feel any different, but of course, the fetus was probably no more than a speck right now. Cinder wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a strange surge of protectiveness for the life that was inside of her. Her baby. Hers and Kai's. Her lips twitched into a grin. Well. At least she now had a present. A present that would probably be delayed nine months.

...

Cinder took a deep breath as she rounded the corner to her husband's office. Nerves sparked, her wires nearly short-circuiting. She bit her lip, contemplating running back to the Rampion and hiding like a coward. Why had she ever thought this would be a good idea? What if Kai wanted an actual present? Too late now. She pressed a hand to her navel to summon even a hint of strength. Cinder gave herself a brisk nod and crashed into a solid wall.

Someone caught her by the arm to prevent her from tumbling to the floor. "Watch where..." a man's voice trailed off and he released her arm as if Cinder was red hot metal. "I apologize, Your Majesty," he stammered, bowing. Groaning, Cinder glanced up at one of Kai's guards.

"It's fine," she said, waving away his helpless hands. "I should have looked where I was going. Is Kai here?"

"The emperor is in his office," the man said.

"Great," Cinder said smiling weakly. "I'll go find him then."

The guard nodded slowly and started to back away, but seemed to think better of it and shook his head. "Would Your Majesty like an escort?"

"No, it's fine," Cinder said, despite his protests. "I am perfectly capable of finding my own way there."

The man nodded. "I will take my leave of you then, Your Majesty. " He bowed and disappeared down another corridor.

Cinder entered Kai's office without much fanfare. Kai sat at his desk, squinting at the netscreen in front of him. "Torin, is that you?" She stifled a grin and crept behind him. Cinder clapped her hands over his eyes.

"Guess who?" she purred into his ear. Cinder felt him smile under her hands before he spun around. Her hands slipped from his face and Cinder pouted.

"You're no fun," she said sulking. Kai's smile spread into a grin and tugged on her arm. Cinder toppled into his lap. She sat up properly with a huff. "You planned that," the empress accused. Kai pecked her on the cheek.

"Planned what?" he mumbled. Cinder's breath hitched as he trailed kisses along her jaw. She hummed in pleasure as he dropped down to her neck. Cinder tilted her head to give him better access and glanced at the screen behind him.

"Am I interrupting your work?"

He pulled back and groaned. "Don't even talk about it."

Cinder grinned. "Aww, does poor little Kai need help?" She pinched his cheek and he mock-scowled at her, batting her hands away.

"Do you mind waiting until I'm done?" he asked sheepishly. "It's kind of important." Cinder shrugged and slid off his lap.

"Sure."

Kai turned back to the screen and swiped a few times. He hummed a soft melody as he worked, a bright grin gracing his features. "What is so funny?" Cinder demanded.

The emperor merely smirked. "Nothing." Cinder smacked him on the arm. "Okay, geez, fine. Can I not smile? You are here and I haven't seen you in practically a week. Can't a guy be happy in the presence of his wife after days of not seeing her?"

Cinder laughed. "Good save."

"Not that I didn't enjoy this week alone," he added, "I needed the time to organize your present anyway." At her frown, her husband continued. "And I know how much you hate expensive baubles, unlike the rest of the female population," he gave her a look, "so I always have to spend a long time thinking of the perfect present to get you."

"You didn't have to get me anything. I'm spending the day with you. That's enough," Cinder said.

Kai pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "You deserve better than just me." He continued his work and Cinder draped her arms over his shoulders. There was a blissful silence, interrupted only the tapping of Kai's keyboard, but by the fifteen minute mark, she began to get restless. Cinder's hands drifted over the planes of his chest, fiddling with the fabric of his shirt. Kai swallowed and inhaled sharply, his gaze focused blindly on the screen. She let her hands pop a button, then redo it, a devious smile crossing her face as Kai tensed.

"You know," he started in a strained voice, "if you wanted me to stop working, you only had to ask."

"Mmm," Cinder hummed and her hands shifted to his shoulders, kneading the knotted muscles. "But I thought you said you were busy?" Kai let out a shuddering sigh and touched her hands. Cinder paused. "Go on with your work," Cinder said easily, "Don't let me distract you. I'm just... entertaining myself."

Kai growled softly and Cinder smirked. "I have nothing against beautiful distractions," he said, his rich baritone rumbling.

Cinder laughed quietly. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." His arm snaked around her waist and pulled her onto his lap again. "But fun comes later. Help me do this and the quicker we'll get to the fun parts."

...

After a quick candlelight dinner, Cinder was promptly blindfolded and shoved into a hover. "I feel like I'm being abducted," Cinder remarked huffily from the passenger seat. She could imagine him rolling his eyes.

"I'm glad so have such faith in me," Kai replied. Cinder slouched down in her seat and crossed her arms. "Stop distracting me. It was hard enough to convince Torin to let us go out by ourselves. If I crash and bring both of us into a fiery death, he'll hire someone reanimate my corpse just so he can kill me again."

"Over my dead body?"

"Oh hush," he grumbled, but she could hear the undercurrent of amusement in his voice and knew he was just teasing. Cinder felt the hover glide to a stop and she immediately reached up to finger the fabric obstructing her sight. "Don't you dare," Kai warned, before she said anything. "Not until I say so." The doors slid open with a hiss and Kai unbuckled himself before leaning over to undo her seatbelt. His hands lingered on her waist and Cinder stole a quick breath, breathing in his familiar crisp scent. She could feel his face above her and Cinder tilted her head up.

There was a soft intake of air, then Kai kissed her gently. A brush of lip, feather light, barely anything. Cinder reached up blindly to twine her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He was always so gentle, always handling her with such infinite care, as if she was fragile, breakable. As if he was afraid the slightest pressure would crumble her. She nipped at his bottom lip playfully and a low growl rumbled its way up his throat. His hands gripped her waist, every point of contact searing into her flesh. Cinder leaned further into his embrace, until they were tucked in so close, no air past between them.

Kai pulled back with a gasp, and they took a moment to catch their breath. "I can't do this," Kai said caught between a groan and a sigh. "If we continue, I'm probably never getting out of here and you'll never see your present."

Cinder cocked a brow. "And I thought you were my present."

"Well, you can unwrap me later." She felt his arms carefully lifting her out.

"I can walk you know."

"You're blind," Kai deadpanned, "and you don't even know where we are going." He carried her away from the hover. He set her down and Cinder's feet touched soft grass.

"Where are we?" Cinder asked warily. A cool spring breeze caressed her cheek, stirring her skirts. She could smell damp earth and fresh flowers. Kai's nimble fingers tugged lightly at her blindfold strings and the fabric fell.

"Surprise," he whispered. Cinder gazed at her surroundings speechless. A villa stood sequestered among the trees. A small brook bubbled at its right, a small water wheel filtering water that flowed into the house. Fairy lights were strung in the trees, around the villa and candles led the way to the manor. Kai took her hand and pulled her closer, following the two lines of candles. They stopped at the door and he turned her to face him.

Kai bit his lip, brows furrowed. "I- What do you think? Did I go a bit too overboard? I just thought that since- you know- you wanted a place for yourself, to be normal. Away from the pressures of being queen and empress and such, and I just thought, well, maybe you would like to come here when you feel like it." His mouth closed. Cinder just stared at him. "Say something, Cinder," he pleaded.

Cinder opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it. "You bought this place for me?"

The emperor rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortably. "Well, I kind of designed it. I wanted the building to be self-sufficient so the whole thing could be off the radar. Everything is run by hydro power so..."

"It's beautiful, Kai," Cinder breathed turning to take it all in. Kai unlocked the door and they both entered. The decor was simple, but tasteful, just like how Cinder liked it. A kitchen, four bedrooms, a sitting room and a dining room. The floor to ceiling windows in the west wing were perfect for watching the sunset. There was even a basement workroom where she could carry out her mechanical projects.

"Do you like it?" Kai asked hopefully.

Cinder gave a soft laugh. "How can I not? Stars, Kai. This- this is too much! I wouldn't have minded to receive jewellery."

Kai's eyes shone as he led her to another room. A room painted bright yellow with a crib, changing station, small drawers, a rocking chair and many stuffed animals. Cinder didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A nursery. He hugged her, his chest against her back, and rested his chin on her shoulders. "I just thought we should plan ahead a bit. We have plenty of time and I know the Union leaders have been pushing us, but I don't mind waiting. And if it truly doesn't work we have plenty of other options."

Tell him. Cinder opened her mouth, but Kai kissed her to shut her up. "You don't have to worry about anything," Kai said between kisses.

"That's-" but Kai interrupted.

"I don't care if we don't have children Cinder. We can-"

Cinder just frowned at him. "Stop for a moment." Kai paused, concern flashing across his face. "You have it all wrong. I'm not worried about anything."

"Oh," he said. "Well, that's good."

Cinder leaned closer, taking his hand. "And you know why I'm not worried?" she said, smiling. Cinder brought his hand and laid it flat against her stomach. She knew that Kai had understood the moment he inhaled sharply. Cinder knew the words were unneeded, but she felt the urge to say it anyway. "I'm pregnant."

"How-"

The empress rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure you know how."

Kai flushed slightly, the tips of his ears turning pink. Adorable. "Well, yeah, I know-" he cut himself off cringing. "I meant when."

Cinder stifled her grin. "I just found out just this morning."

"This morning! And you only thought to tell me this now?" Kai said, his voice strangled. He pressed his brow to hers, cupping her cheek with one hand. "A baby." he laughed giddily. "I'm going to be a father!" He kissed her again, this time longer. "Thank you," he breathed. "Thank you."

She smirked and pushed against his chest gently. "Thank yourself."

Kai touched the pads of his fingers to her stomach. "Baby," he addressed her abdomen with a mock-frown. "Your mommy is bullying me."

"Am not!" Cinder objected. She held her breath as Kai bent to kiss her tummy.

"Love you," he whispered, tilting his head back to look up at her. Cinder brushed her hand over his silky hair.

"Love you more."

End.

I hope you enjoyed that piece of fluff. I realize there hasn't been much of that throughout the story.

And again, thank you for reading!

-Silverleaf