While we were outside,the news spread like wildfire, and now the whole family was present to congratulate us.
As soon as we walked back into the castle, Aurum punched Viol affectionately in the shoulder.
“You dog!” he said through a huge grin. “Look at you! You won the damn Games without even playing them!”
Viol shot his younger brother a snarky look, but his reply lacked its usual malice. “Thanks. I guess.”
He cast a softer glance at Mylo, who rushed up to hug me. The ferret shifter’s round cheeks were flushed with joy.
“Poppy, I just heard,” he cried. “I’m so happy you’re going to live here now!”
My heart swelled as I hugged him back. “Me, too. And I get to see my friends all the time.”
Mylo’s lower lip trembled. “You’re so nice, Poppy. You really deserve this, you know?”
Seeing him misty-eyed made me emotional, too. I knew my friends wanted me to stay on the island, even before Viol and I got back together, but I couldn’t do it. Not until I knew for sure he wanted me the way I wanted him.
Now, though? There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind.
“If we’re punching Viol, do I get a turn?” Thystle teased.
“No,” Viol grumbled.
Thystle smirked as he sauntered closer with one arm looped around Matteo’s waist. They glowed like a pair of rockstars as they flashed approving, celebratory smiles. “Congrats, you two.”
Viol grunted, though he couldn’t stifle a smile in return. “Thanks.”
Matteo patted me on the shoulder. His warm, down-to-earth expression calmed me, pushing back my tears. “Glad you’re staying this time, Poppy. We’re all lucky to have you.”
The tears, which had retreated just seconds ago, came back. I rubbed my eyes to hold them off.
“You guys are too kind,” I murmured.
Thystle walked forward and met my gaze. His eyes were a paler shade of purple than Viol’s, but the family resemblance swam in them. It reminded me that Viol’s brothers had been hoping and waiting for him to find love for a long time—because they loved him, too.
“Thank you, Poppy,” Thystle said under his breath, too quietly for Viol to hear. “He needs you. And ‘cause of that, we all need you. You’ve been part of this family for a long time. Don’t ever forget that.”
Everyone’s generosity was too much to bear. I couldn’t stop the tears anymore. They poured over the edge, streaming down my cheeks.
“Huh? Why’s Poppy crying? What the hell did you say to him?” Viol snapped at Thystle.
“Nothing bad!” Thystle shot back. He seemed as shocked as his brother that I’d suddenly started weeping.
I shook my head, biting back the tears. “It’s okay, Viol. Thystle just said something really nice to me and I...”
“It’s all good, don’t worry,” Matteo consoled.
Mylo nodded. “We’ve got you, Poppy.”
Mylo and Matteo squished closer to me in an omega sandwich, petting my hair until I calmed down. Viol waited patiently for them to peel away before he slunk in, wrapping his arms around me from behind. The warm wall of his chest soothed me, and soon the tears slowed.
“I’m okay, I swear,” I promised after swallowing one last sob. “You guys know I’m overly emotional...”
“You’re just the right amount of emotional,” Viol replied, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
Everyone in the room stopped and loudly cooed.
I couldn’t see Viol’s face, yet I knew he was blushing furiously. “What?” he snarled.
