Killian’s eyes widened when he reached the Fate, and Cyrus took a knee, the man pulling out a small carved wooden box that was covered in ocean waves and could contain only one thing. “Killian, from the moment I first saw you, I was yours. My foolish teenage brain instantly decided I didn’t care why you were there in my family’s lake, even if it was to drag me down into its unforgiving depths.”
He giggled. “Thought about it.”
Cyrus smirked. “I know you did, and I would have let you. But as breathtaking as you are, it wasn’t your beauty that stole my heart. It was you, all of you—your mind, your laughter, the nonsense we talked about in those early days. My heart fell easily into your grasp, my love growing with every day I spent, and still spend, by your side. A place I will forever be grateful you let me stand.
“Killian, I know life hasn’t been easy, and it's likely we will face troubles in the future, but I want to face them together. Because out of all the paths I’ve taken, the only one I have never questioned, never doubted for even a moment, was the one that led me to loving you.” Cyrus swallowed, letting out a nervouschuckle as he opened the box, revealing a double band rose-gold ring with a blue moss agate diamond-shaped stone as the focal point, that was held into place with leafy vines. Curving underneath were five diamonds, and the center one, which lined up underneath the agate stone, was larger and teardrop-shaped. “Killian Neftlem, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
For just a moment, he saw not the adult, but the teenager he’d met all those years ago. The eyes staring up at him were the same then, yet not. They were the same eyes that his desperate need to see the color of had drove him to reveal himself, but while the teenager had stared on, seeming entranced, with eyes filled with adoration, the adult now gazed up at him as if he was the answer to his world.
Killian remained silent for a little longer, just staring at the man who had made him believe in the existence of love again. But as the beading sweat on the Fate’s forehead made it obvious the man was becoming increasingly more nervous as seconds ticked by, with tears in his eyes that refused to fall, he smiled brightly and finally said, “Yes.”
Ender smiled as Quill set down sweet tea in front of everyone, before the Fate took a seat. He was there not because he was in his inner circle, but because he lived in Ender’s house in the underground. Others did too, but most were away at the moment, and a few never left their room. Regardless of who was there, the news would spread fast enough.
Looking around at the nine people at the table, he cleared his throat and announced, “In five, or hopefully, three months, we will have two new family members!”
They seemed to all collectively blink, before Kaisa tucked a strand of her forest-green hair back and asked, “Two newrecruits? Why wasn’t I told about this? I assume they’ve been vetted.”
“Where are they coming from?” Kore questioned.
He shook his head. “Not new recruits…babies!”
The way their eyes widened told him they had perfected ignoring whatever was said when he and Soren argued far too damn well.
“I’m pregnant with twins, TADA,” Ender said with a small giggle, while he threw a handful of rainbow chicken-shaped confetti. He crossed his arms with a huff when they all, aside from Soren, who looked unimpressed, stared silently, their jaws dropped. “Well!?”
“C-congratulations!” Kore stuttered first, before the others followed with various amounts of awkwardness.
“Ahh, I love babies! How exciting. Congratulations, Boss,” Quill chimed in last, but with the most genuine level of excitement.
Meara, who was sporting candy-apple red hair today, cleared her throat. “So…who’s the father?”
“Fathers, with an S,” Soren traitorously drawled.
“Trap, shut, Toddles!” he snapped, before turning a glare Meara’s way. “Never mind who, the important part is that we now need to babyproof the compound, and prepare a room for my babies to use in…three to five years. We can probably take our time with the room. That aside, I will be making a nest, so if some of your things go missing, they aren’t, they have just been commandeered.”
He glared at the Harpy when Soren snorted.
Dessa, whose hair was currently ocean-blue, sighed. “Speaking of children, though not your own, Zenny is back in our care once more.”
Ender frowned. “Run away again?”
The eldest Manticore triplet tsked. “Tried and failed.”
He sighed, running a hand absently over his bump. They’d managed to place the rest of the children that had been left in their care by the Bureau, and had even turned in evidence that the parents and/or guardians had been involved in their abduction. Though the children were now considered dead by their respective governments and the world—nothing like adding a false murder charge on top of the rest.
They were just waiting for things to settle before assuring Cyrus’ people—in this case, Killian—that the children were now in safe homes and environments. However, eight-year-old Zentry ‘Zenny’ Vullen, did not want to stay put, no matter who they placed him with.
The kid seemed determined to run away, he just wasn’t sure where the tot was trying to go. That aside, the other biggest problem was that Zenny was a Cupid, and Ender wasn’t sure he’d be able to trust whoever the kid did want to stay with. The eight-year-old’s species was about as extinct as his was, and had been for years before the war, which made him extra cautious about placing him anywhere.
He pursed his lips, before asking, “Is he here now?”
“Yes.”
“Go get him.”
Laid back on the blanket,resting in Cyrus’ arms, with the night sky above them, Killian smiled as he held his left hand up, staring at his ring. “It’s beautiful.”
Cyrus chuckled. “I’m glad you approve.”
