42
Skyla
The bonfire crackles and pops against the twilight canvas of Silent Cove, sending sparks dancing toward a sky painted in shades of gold and amber as the sun sets on another perfect Paragon day. It’s been a week since the incident, and Logan and I are still recovering—still holding our children and each other extra tight.
The familiar scent of burning driftwood mingles with salt air and the lingering aroma of s’mores, while the gentle crash of waves creates a rhythm that’s infinitely better than any supernatural chaos we’ve endured lately.
Laughter echoes off the beach surrounding our little slice of paradise, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels exactly as it should be.
I shift Jaxson to my other arm, marveling at how perfectly he still fits against my chest. His tiny fingers curl around the edge of my sweater while he sleeps, completely oblivious to the fact that his very existence is proof that we managed to outwit celestial forcesand save our future. Near the water’s edge, Eden races with Nathan and Barron, their shrieks of delight mixing with the calls of Holden and Serena as they circle overhead.
“This is perfect,” Em says from her spot on the driftwood log beside me. Her voice sounds wistful, and that always means she’s thinking about something bittersweet. “I wish Kate could be here to see it.”
My chest tightens at the mention of poor, sweet Kate, and I reach over to squeeze Brielle’s hand where she sits on my other side. “I wish she could, too. But I guess fate had other plans.”
Brielle’s fingers squeeze back, warm and reassuring. “She would have loved this. All of us together, the kids running around like a bunch of wild idiots, Drake and me expecting again—and you finally looking relaxed for once in your life.”
“Hey, I’ve been relaxed before.”
“You’re relaxed now,” Brielle corrects with a grin. “Five minutes ago, you were checking to make sure all the kids were accounted for. And you’ve been doing that every thirty seconds.”
“That’s called being a responsible parent.”
“That’s called being paranoid.”
“Good evening, ladies,” a familiar voice cuts through our conversation like velvet over steel, before I can defend my perfectly reasonable, rather paranoid parenting style.
I look up to see Marshall approaching with a wicked curve on his lips that makes him look like he’s stalking prey rather than joining a family gathering. His hair catches the firelight, and his eyes hold that familiar mix of charm and danger that should probably come with a warning label.
“Marshall,” I say carefully. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. After all, this is a celebration of new beginnings, is it not?” His eyes glitter with amusement as they settle on the children one by one. “And you do have such beautiful new beginnings to celebrate.”
“It’s a bonfire, Dudley,” Lexy snaps from a few feet away, whereshe’s sitting with Laken, Michelle, and Nat. “We’re roasting marshmallows, not hosting a philosophical TED talk.”
“Pity. I do so enjoy philosophical discussions.” Marshall lifts a brow my way. “Speaking of which, would you care to take a walk? I find the evening air quite stimulating.”
Logan appears before I can respond, his expression carrying that protective edge that always surfaces whenever the surly Sector is around. “I don’t think?—”
“Stand down, Pretty One,” Marshall interrupts. “I’m simply requesting a brief constitutional with my future wife. Nothing untoward, I assure you.”
“Your futurewhat?” Michelle spits out the drink she was sipping.
“It’s complicated,” I mutter, standing up and transferring Jaxson to Logan’s waiting arms. “And I would love to walk with you, Marshall. But if you try anything inappropriate, I’m feeding you to the tide pools.” I give him a cheeky wink with the quasi-threat.
“Such violent tendencies,” Marshall muses as we start down the shoreline. “Very attractive in a homicidal sort of way.”
The sand is cool beneath my feet, and the sound of the bonfire fades to a murmur behind us as we put some distance between the party and ourselves.
“So,” I say after several minutes of silence, “what’s this about? Because I know you didn’t pull me away from the bonfire just to discuss the weather.”
“Can’t a man simply enjoy the company of his betrothed without ulterior motives?”
“Not when that man is you. And we both know you’re no mere man.”
A rich laugh rumbles from him. “Fair point. Very well, I confess—I wanted to discuss our future.”
“Oh, Marshall.” I stop short and look up at him. “Logan and I just got settled. I don’t want to even think about yet another future, let alone talk about it.”
