Mal chuckled. “It’s not locked. Those bracelets that were sent for Darla’s engagement? Those were a gift commissioned by her father. That they were activated shows his blessing; she never needed her mother’s. The hoard is hers. She has wealth that pales even mine, and she could give you enough to rebuild the entire island, pay off your debt, pave the road from the airstrip, put in an amusement park, and hire celebrity musicians every night without even noticing the difference.”
Scarlet’s face went from astonished, through amazed, to angry in the blink of an eye. “You’re telling me that you’ve let Darla and Breck believe that they gave up the hoard to be together and this whole time they’ve had access to it?”
“Resources hold amazing bargaining power,?
?? Mal said apologetically. “I knew I’d lose that advantage over you if I told them because they would already give you the shirts from their backs if you asked.”
Scarlet opened and closed her mouth several times, then sighed and laughed helplessly. “I suppose I understand that,” she admitted, shaking her head. “It doesn’t mean I entirely forgive it,” she added threateningly. “They suffered so needlessly!”
Mal took her hand. “I shall endeavor to earn your absolution in the future,” he promised. “And I will tell Darla and Breck myself and fall upon their mercy.”
“I think that they are feeling fairly merciful,” Scarlet said, amused. “Given that you’ve just saved the world and healed Conall.”
“We’ve saved the world,” Mal reminded her. “And you are the one who brought Conall back.”
“We make a good team,” Scarlet murmured, leaning her forehead against his.
Mal kissed her, and ran out of air long before he wanted to.
“I have a question for you,” he said, when Scarlet released him.
“Ask,” Scarlet said gently.
“Will you marry me, Scarlet Stanson? Will you be my partner as well as my mate? Will you allow me to bring my hoard here and give you half of it as my wife? You can fund your own rebuild, with your own money, and keep your pride as well as your resort.”
Scarlet wiped her eyes. “Are you trying to offer me a buyout in order to get me to marry you?” she demanded.
“Dammit,” Mal said with a laugh. “Old habits die hard.”
She was smiling like the sun behind her tears and surely, somewhere, there were riots of rainbows from the combination.
“Yes,” she said. “I will marry you. I will take half of your hoard and give you half of my island and all of my heart and the rest of my life. I love you, Mal Padrikanth Moore.”
Mal gathered her into his aching arms and kissed her until the resort burst into bloom around them.
Epilogue
Mal looked out over the building site and had to smile.
“It’s amazing what magic portals and unlimited funds can do in a few years,” Scarlet observed, suddenly at his side.
“Having the ability to instantly landscape doesn’t hurt anything,” Mal added.
The resort was already rebuilt to its former shining glory and it was hard to tell that any trees or gardens had ever been damaged. It was, if anything, more beautiful, more luxurious, and more alive. There were new pools, a grander event hall, and the hotel had been built to effortless modern standards. Chef’s kitchen had gone from good to gleaming. Solar panels shimmered from every roof, marking the resort’s near independence from fuel. A broad dish near the top of the island promised better connectivity... and mostly delivered it.
When the last of the big work on the resort had been completed and the finishing touches were nearly done, the construction efforts had moved up the island. The resort was on the south tip, facing west for the best sunsets. Along the cliffs that went north on the east coast, where the Den had stood, there were new luxury and family cottages for month-long getaways, complete with kitchens.
They were standing further north yet, tucked away from the resort, looking out onto a bustling construction site. The center of the little village was already complete; the elders’ housing, the medical center, and the school had all been priorities for the new residents, and little houses were growing around them organically, some of them still covered in blue tarps as roof work was being completed.
“Come and see the new playground,” Scarlet invited. There was an unexpected sparkle to her eyes, and a mischievous quirk to her mouth. Mal was instantly suspicious.
But Scarlet only took his hand, and strolled innocently with him down the road into the village.
They passed a small sports field, and a simple community pool, Graham’s second greenhouse, and the lot where Neal was running an excavator to make space for the footings for a combination restaurant and movie theater.
A tiny general store was open for business and Mal nodded to the woman sweeping in front of it.
The playground was already being broken in. Several children in a wide range of ages were playing across the metal framework of a dragon with a slide for a tail and monkey bars across its chest cavity. Swings hung from the spread wings and an older boy was gently pushing three younger children in turn.