He opened the box, revealing the dragon ring, a diamond hugged on either side by a ruby. The platinum band held the gems in the shape of a dragon’s claw. It was a family heirloom, priceless and precious.

“I had no idea you’d make the delivery in person. Thank you.”

She nodded. “Tell me about Sera.”

There was so much to tell, but what to share? Sera was so much more than he could put into words. She was a million wonderful feelings all bundled into one. She was kindness and strength, compassion and beauty. And when she looked at him with love in her eyes, she filled that void in him, that part he’d never thought anyone could fill.

“I love her,” Kai simply said.

“You’ve never been impulsive, never done anything without being sure, Kai, so I’m going to forgo the lecture about life changes.”

“She has changed my life already.”

“I can see that when I look at you. Your magic is glowing.”

She was a Sniffer like Kai. Like Sera.

“Sera is special,” she said.

“Yes.”

She smiled, her magic taking on a glow of its own. “You’ve always been a bit apart from everyone because of your power. We weren’t sure you’d ever find someone you could love.”

“Sera is that person.”

She set down her hot chocolate, then took his hands in hers. “When you find someone like that, you fight for her. And you don’t ever let go,” she said fiercely.

Kai nodded. He didn’t know what to say. But his mother had always been good at understanding, at reading him. He didn’t need to say anything. He knew she understood.

“When will you ask her?”

“I haven’t decided. We’ve been so busy fighting.”

“Don’t wait too long, Kai. If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure,” he said quickly.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine being away from Sera. He wanted her to marry him, to always be at his side.

His mother smiled. She set her hand on his chest. “Follow your heart, Kai. It is a good heart. Besides,” she added, her smile alight with mischief. “Your father and I aren’t getting any younger. And we want to live to see our grandchildren. Lots of grandchildren.”

Kai snorted. Yeah, if there was one thing that would freak Sera out even more than the ring, it was any mention of children. She panicked at the thought of giving all of herself. But he’d already given her all of himself. It was too late for him now. It was all or nothing.

She took up her hot chocolate again. “I’d like to meet her.”

“When?”

“I have a meeting with our Munich office in half an hour, then I need to fly back for a party at the house tonight. How about you come visit us when you have some time? Just give me a call first. I want to make sure our meeting is perfect.”

“We’re chasing the Grim Reaper. I don’t know when we’ll have time for social calls.”

“Don’t wait too long. For anything.” She winked at him.

“You have to promise not to mention anything about grandchildren to Sera.”

She chuckled softly. “I’ll try to restrain myself.”

Then she drank the last of her hot chocolate, stood, and kissed him on top of his head, giving him a hopeful wave as she turned and left.

* * *

The Magic Council’s betrayal was nothing compared to the pain of seeing Sera fall through that gateway into hell. And Kai didn’t even know if she’d gotten out again. Alden had tortured him until his magic was nothing but a weak drip. For days and days, the Grim Reaper bombarded him with his worse fears, a constant stream of pain, blood, and death. He showed Sera dying at other supernaturals’ hands—being hunted, killed, her body mutilated.

Sometimes, Kai managed to save her in time, but then when he told her how he felt, asked her to marry him, she grew frightened and ran off. She didn’t make it far. Within a few steps, Dragon Born hunters cornered and killed her as Kai watched helplessly on the other side of an unbreakable glass wall.

Other times, Alden showed Kai the world at war. The fight between the Magic Council against the Dragon Born had consumed the earth. He and Sera were on opposing sides, sworn enemies. They fought each other. They hated each other.

“No,” Kai said, turning away from the hate in Sera’s eyes. “It’s not real.”

“Reality is not so static,” Alden said as Sera faded away. “It is layers of possibilities. One choice can make all the difference, rippling across reality, changing everything forever.”

“My love for Sera will not change.”

Alden laughed softly. “You might be right. You two are held together by a bond that is strong. Quite frankly, it’s getting in my way. Sera won’t listen to reason, but she will listen to you. You will tell her to join me.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because I can give you what you want.”

Sometimes, Alden showed him happiness rather than misery. He showed him what he could have with Sera if he only joined that army of crazies. He and Sera together, kissing in the warm sun, having a picnic. He proposed to her. She accepted. He brought her to his family. They loved her too. Alliances were made. The world was at peace. The Dragon Born weren’t being hunted anymore. He saw her in a wedding dress, smiling at him. She was so beautiful. He saw a party with everyone they cared about. Sera was dancing with her sister and brother. They were laughing and acting silly. She, her siblings, and the commandos formed a conga line. Sera grabbed hold of Kai as they passed him, dragging him into their dance. They spun together. Then he was holding her as they danced. He kissed her. Later, after the party, he brought her back to a private house. They made love on the bed, in the hot tub, everywhere, and that night they made a baby together, a baby made from love and happiness. He saw himself behind her, rubbing her belly. Kissing her belly. Talking to their child.