Hello! Below is the first epilogue for Exposed. It's pretty much all fun, no stress. If you missed my announcement, the rewritten versions of books 1 and 2 and the updated version of book 3 are now up. I've also been posting some bonus chapters over in The Expiring Series Bonus Chapters book.

Iris~~

Jonas and I walk Darcy around to the back deck of the beach bar grill. There are Veil undercover, spaced throughout the restaurant and stationed around its perimeter. Ever since we returned from Amoria, security for Jonas and me has been tightened. I'm still not used to it, but if it keeps Jonas, and in turn Darcy safe, then I definitely won't be complaining.

The waitress shows us to our table tucked into the corner of the deck that overlooks the beach and the citrusy orange and quartz pink sunset. The patrons nearest to our table dare to give us a quick glance before returning to their own meals, very evidently scared of the Preeminence. But Darcy, who knows nothing of political intimidation, sniffs at the ankles of their chairs, and I pull her back with a tug on her leash, offering them a smile and apology—because I am also not schooled on instilling fear into the public.

The patrons give us sheepish smiles and laugh it off. Even if they were annoyed by Darcy, it wouldn't do them well to complain about the Preeminence's dog. And who could be annoyed at that sweet face?

Jonas has hardly noticed any of this, instead staring intently at the back of his menu where the drinks are listed. "Have you ever had a Bahama Mama?"

I nod. "Once or so, but I'm sticking with a Miami Vice."

"That's the third one in a row."

I smile innocently. "No one at home makes them as good as they do here."

Originally, we were supposed to honeymoon across Asia, and while we haven't ruled out the idea, we didn't want to leave Darcy for so long or try to navigate multiple foreign countries with a puppy. So Jonas found us a place on the Gulf side of Florida, and we haven't had any issues bringing her along with us to places. Jonas joked earlier that we should get her a stroller for the times when her energy does eventually run out and she plops down on the ground, refusing to move another inch. In those cases, Jonas has taken to carrying her like a baby.

The waitress returns with a bowl of water for Darcy and glasses of it for me and Jonas before taking our drink and food orders. Something I've been loving about these beach grills is that they've perfected the fry. Crispy with just a bit of fluff. Oh and they all have grilled cheese on the menu.

Once she leaves, I take a sip of my water and look out on the sun setting below the water that sparkles, bathed in what looks like fire. "I'm surprised you haven't heard from any of them yet." I was certain one of his cousins or siblings in the Order would have called by now with some emergency that they definitely could have been able to handle on their own but were only calling to get some sort of gossip on our honeymoon to share with the rest of the Society.

"Maybe they know I really just want to be left alone."

Throwing him a crooked grin, I start to stand. "In that case—"

Jonas grabs my hand and tugs gently. "I meant, left alone with you."

"And Darcy."

"And Darcy."

"And two dozen Veil."

"I could do without them."

I place my finger to my lips. "Don't let them hear you say that. You might hurt their feelings."

The waitress returns with Jonas's Bahama Mama, and my frozen Miami Vice. I stick a paper straw inside and take a sip. Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. "So good."

The ice in Jonas's glass clinks. "I have an idea for what we can do tomorrow."

I lower my drink. "What's that?"

"I saw the hotel offers this chocolate experience."

"Like dipping things in chocolate?"

"Well, yes, that's part of it, but it also offers another element. Something a bit more fun."

*****

The next day, Jonas takes me down to the lobby of the hotel. Two of the Veil have been tasked with watching Darcy. I would not be surprised if they take her to the hotel's pet spa.

As we walk out of the elevator alcove, a man in the hotel's uniform walks up to us and bows. "Preeminence, Mrs. Blackwood. We're ready for you if you would please follow me."

He leads us through the hotel lobby to a heavy metal door that opens up into the back of the hotel, an area usually meant only for staff. The floors here are smoothed concrete, and the lights overhead shine brightly, nothing like the natural light the guest areas utilize. We pass by the kitchens from where sounds of clinking, banging, and chopping come. There's the hiss of steam, and a mixture of voices shouting requests at each other.

We approach a door that has a sink station beside it. Following the man's instructions, we wash our hands while he unlocks and opens the door. Inside, the floors and walls are covered in what looks like parchment paper, and a metal table is set in the middle of the room with tubs of chocolate—milk, white, and dark—a fresh roll of parchment paper, toppings, and a platter of fruit, cookies, and pretzels, and marshmallows.

He asks if we have any questions, and I shake my head as Jonas tells him no.

The man smiles. "Enjoy then." He bows before leaving, shutting the door behind him. Jonas and I wore clothes we don't mind getting dirty—shorts for both of us, a t-shirt for me, and a long sleeve for him.

Tearing off a piece of parchment paper from the roll, Jonas lays it out on the table.

"We're never going to be able to eat all of this." I reach for a stick pretzel.

"We'll give the rest to the Veil."

I dip the pretzel in white chocolate. The chocolate is warm but not hot, and I twirl the pretzel around in it before taking the pretzel out and sprinkling tiny pieces of dark chocolate over it.

Together, we work our way through the assortment on the tray, the three types of chocolate and all the different toppings.

"Iris," Jonas says slowly as I lay down a skewer of marshmallows.

"Hmm?" I look up, and Jonas places his chocolate covered hand on my cheek as he leans in and kisses me. He tastes like the dark chocolate I watched him sneak a taste of earlier.

He pulls back, keeping my face close to his. "It looks like you have . . ." He drags his tongue up and over my cheek, making my toes curl inside my shoes.

I arch one single eyebrow. "Did you enjoy that?"

He licks his lips. "Immensely."

"So we're doing this?"

"I mean"—he shrugs, looking entirely not innocent—"I thought that was the idea."

I dip my hand into the closest chocolate bin. Jonas doesn't even try to move as I press my open palm to his shirt, leaving a white handprint behind.

Jonas grins, and the next thing I know, he's dragging his chocolate covered hands through my hair.

So I do the same to him. "I hope you plan to help me wash my hair."

Jonas takes up another handful of chocolate. "In that case, I better add some more." He runs his hand over my hair before tangling his fingers in it. "Wouldn't want the job to end too soon." He pulls me toward him and kisses me. The chocolate in my hands ends up pressed into the back of his shirt.

We laugh as his arms come around me, and we do a bit of a wobble step back.

"Don't you look delectable, Preeminence?"

"Not nearly as much as you do, Mrs. Blackwood."

I let go of him to take up another handful of chocolate and make my way around to the end of the table.

Jonas cocks his head, his eyes following me.

I fling the chocolate at him and duck as he retaliates. Some of it splatters on the parchment wall behind me. Most of it hits the floor. The paper makes a crinkling noise.

I don't know how long we go back and forth, throwing handfuls of chocolate, before we're back beside each other again. It could have been mere minutes or a quarter of an hour. We're covered in chocolate that runs down our clothes, and the parchment paper is an art piece of milk, dark, and white chocolate.

I drag my hands up the sides of Jonas's face, tangling my fingers in his hair. Jonas backs me against the table and reaches for another heaping of chocolate, which he presses to my neck. He strokes his finger over my skin before pulling his hand away and licking the chocolate off his finger.

"I think you missed a spot?"

"Did I?' Leaning forward, he presses his lips to my neck, and I feel his tongue sweep over my skin. He drags it up my neck and to my jaw where he lightly nips.

I pull him down to the ground, and Jonas pushes me onto my back, crawling over me.

Now would be a good time to note that earlier the Veil did remove the hotel's camera that was inside the room.

"You are an absolute mess," Jonas says with what looks like wonder in his eyes. "Should I sprinkle some pretzel crumbs over you?"

"That sounds like it would be uncomfortable for the both of us." I take a fist full of his shirt and pull his lips down to mine. The parchment paper crinkles beneath me.

Jonas pulls back and nips at my nose. "We're going to have to avoid Darcy until we can get cleaned up."

"How exactly do we get back to our room?"

Jonas rolls onto his side and pulls me up on top of him. "The hotel has that covered."

That's a good enough answer for me to lean down and press my lips back to his, tasting chocolate with every kiss.

*****

Later that day, Jonas and I lie out on the beach while Darcy wanders around on her long leash, chasing seagulls and digging in the sand. We're far enough away from others that she can't run up to anyone unless they venture over to us. Whether the Veil would let them is debatable though.

The waves make for a relaxing backdrop as the sun sinks low in the afternoon sky. The air smells of salt, and I let out a content sigh before rolling over onto my side. I trail my eyes over Jonas who wears a long-sleeve swim shirt. While my Expiration Date has been revealed to the country, another reason for the increase in our security, Jonas's has not and probably never will be unless it gets leaked. His eyes are closed, and his face looks relaxed.

My husband, the Expired Preeminence, at peace.

Jonas cracks an eye open. "Yes?"

"Just staring at you."

"Some might call that rude."

"Sorry, I meant I'm basking in the awe of your beauty."

Closing his eye again, he smiles.

"Were you sleeping?"

"No. Not quite." This time he opens both his eyes and props himself up on one arm, angled toward me. "Are you happy, Mrs. Blackwood?"

"Exquisitely so."

His arm comes around me and pulls me up against him. He smells of sunscreen and so do I. "Shall I order us food? Drinks?"

"Mmm." I press my palm and head against his chest. "Tempting."

"Whatever you like." Jonas turns his head, burying his face in my hair. "You still smell like chocolate."

"That means you didn't do a good job."

"I think I did an excellent job."

I hum, closing my eyes, letting the breeze wash over me. A nap sounds positively amazing.

My peace is shattered, however, by a bark and a cold nose shoved into my face. A very wet tongue licks over my sunscreen-protected nose.

I groan, throwing up a hand to protect my face, and open my eyes to Darcy's large brown ones. She licks my cheek, and as Jonas laughs, I grab her, pulling her into a cuddle with me and him.

She wiggles and squirms, but Jonas rubs her belly, and soon one of her back legs starts twitching, and she looks at Jonas with all the love in the world.

Watching them, I smile. When we were on Amoria, there were times I expected never to be happy again. To be back on Earth, away from the Society, with a dog of our own still doesn't feel real.

I scratch Darcy's back, and she turns her head to see me. I wave, and she lets out a high-pitched bark.

"What about you Jonas?"

He looks at me confused.

"Are you happy?"

His face relaxes, and he continues to pet Darcy while his eyes are fixed on me. "Why Mrs. Iris Blackwood, how could I not be?"