Page 99 of Riot of Autumn

“Don’t hog her.” Lena pulls Archer out of the way and Zara, Lena, and Miri all wrap themselves around Ruby in a group hug.

Archer pulls me into a hug and then I’m passed along to Rhys and finally Davis, who slaps me on the back, which is his version of a hug. There’s excited squealing and demands to see the ring, mostly from Archer, but the lightness and joy of the moment is one I never imagined having.

“Since we’re all making life-altering announcements and all, it’s probably a good time to share. I’m pregnant.” Miri shrugs and then grins.

Davis pulls her in tight to his side. There’s the barest hint of a smile on his face, which tells me he’s fucking over the moon. Another round of hugs and congratulations circulates, and I can’t help but marvel at how far we’ve all come in the last few years.

I look at the happiness on my friends’ faces and then down at my girl. I press a kiss to the top of Ruby’s head. She tips her head back, smiling at me with mischief shining in her gorgeous green eyes. Her hand slides up my chest, her finger outlining the best friend necklace that I never take off. Her eyes are soft and sweet, so I should have known better. Ruby pinches my nipple so hard I yelp. She ducks out from under my arm and runs back toward the dance floor, her cackle trailing behind her.

“You’re going to pay for that,” I call after her, grinning as I chase after her.

“Make me.”

Ruby barely makes it ten steps before I’m sweeping her in my arms and spinning her to face me. Her eyes are bright and cheeks flushed, the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. Like I’ve wanted to do all night, I fist my hand in her hair, dip her back, and kiss her with all the love I’ve got in my soul until she goes limp in my arms.

“I love you, Cube.”

“I love you too, Ezzie.” Ruby cups my cheek, stealing my breath with the devotion in her eyes.

All of us grew up with magic in our lives, but it didn’t make anything better. This right here, family, love, new life on the way, this is the real magic. The journey to get here was fucked up more than it was good, but knowing how we all came out better on the other side, I wouldn’t change a damn thing.

The End