AN: Hello! Hope life is good :)

Thank you to everyone who has read, followed, favorited, or reviewed this story. I'm incredibly grateful for your comments and support! (I'd also like to add my thanks to hermitcrab for your lovely guest review on chapter 21.) For anyone that may be interested, I am definitely returning to Aequinoctium and Fortress of Denliath, and I also have a few ideas in progress for Royai Roulette. I was sidetracked by Astra for a little while (and that's probably an understatement), but they're in the works.

I hope you've enjoyed reading Astra as much as I've enjoyed writing it. On to chapter 25 :)

Epilogue – May 29th – Southern Portugal

Apart from the waves crashing on the beach below, a serene silence pervaded the comfortable little villa. Cool night air coasted through unlit rooms, buffeting the sheer drapes which framed each window and wafting the chimes that dangled from a nearby strawberry tree. French doors yawned, and on the horizon hovered a thunderstorm, the lightning jagged and crisp against the backdrop of clouds. Beneath the storm seawater moiled and, occasionally, an assertive gust of wind would send errant leaves skimming across the patio.

An unusually large cabriolet sofa had been positioned before the open doors, its upholstery a steely gray, and Roy reclined against the pillows to watch the ocean. Footsteps were heard approaching from the bedroom, and he smiled when Riza appeared, silk robe sliding to the floor as she crawled over him. He kissed her, his fingers temporarily lacing into her hair, and slowly pulled the satin sheet over their legs as she said, "I had a message from Lex. She and Ling will be in Mahé in a couple weeks."

"I'm guessing he agreed to island hop for the summer."

She hummed in confirmation, her tone turning abruptly amused. "And apparently Maes is still in New York. Surprise."

"Busy flirting with the next Mrs. Hughes." Roy's eyes tracked a flash of lightning, and then he asked, "Want to leave for Mahé?"

"Eventually, maybe." Ghosting her lips over his sternum, she rested her head on his chest, and her voice softened when she said, "I like Portugal. Let's stay here a while."

He caught her hand. "Fine with me."

"One of these days I'm taking you somewhere.

With a smirk, he murmured, "I like the sound of that."

A laugh left her and Riza tucked hair behind an ear, her fingertips tracing his hip just as a faint rumble of thunder reached them. He circled an arm around her and they fell quiet, watching the faraway tumult as the curtains billowed around them. The wind tugged idly at the sheet, and when she shivered he draped a blanket over them, not yet willing to abandon that tranquility for the warmth of a bed. Not seeming to mind, she kissed his neck, her mouth curving pleasantly against his skin as he coasted a hand up her thigh.

On an impulse, Roy reached for the jacket that had been tossed to the floor some time ago, freeing the petite box concealed in an inner pocket. From it he removed a simple, white-gold ring with vanda orchids elegantly engraved on the surface, which he'd found in an antique shop a few miles away. He slipped the band onto her left ring finger, and quietly told her, "I hope you don't mind, but I've wanted to give you one of these for a while."

The blonde rose on an elbow with a brilliant smile, her hair falling over his chest as she eyed the etchings, and then leaned forward to kiss him in response. His grin became marginally self-conscious, and he plucked the cushion from the base of the box. When another white-gold band was revealed, this one plain with a satin finish, he said, "Just in case."

"This may not be official..." Riza took his hand, carefully sliding the ring into place while his free palm found her waist.

His mouth quirked. "That's never been a priority of mine."

"Not for me, either." Her voice lowered, and she added, "But for the record, this is one thing I wouldn't mind making official."

Roy trailed a hand along her jaw, brushing a tendril of gold aside before kissing her softly. "Then we should call Lex back, let her know they'll have a reception to attend."

The blonde simply nodded, her eyes brightening in a way that thrilled him, and again grazed her lips over his. He drew her closer then, having missed the warmth of her skin during its brief absence. Her cheek once more against his chest, he wrapped an arm around her waist and glanced over at the still raging storm. Taking her hand, he ran a thumb across white-gold orchids and smiled, because for years this moment had seemed forever out of reach.

Fin

AN: Thank you for reading, I hope you liked the story, and have a good one!