“Yeah, because an auto-wed machine is so much better,” Ezra mutters.
“It is.” Sylus crouches at the back of the machine, fiddling with wires and grinning like a mad scientist. “How about…” he starts as he tugs out a cable and plugs it into his phone, “… we make this thing work forus.”
“What are you doing?”
“Upgrading it.”
The machine springs to life with a cheerful chime, and the screen lights up, but instead of only asking for abrideand agroomlike last time, it now says something else.
The More… the Merrier.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” Sylus gestures dramatically at the screen, “… the modified Auto-wed Machine 3000, now polycule-compatible.”
I laugh hard as Sylus enters each of our names.
Sylus Walker.
Koen Lane.
Nicholas Lane.
Alaric Monroe.
Novalee Evans.
When he’s done, he looks at me softly as he says, “We’re all in it together.”
My laughter dies out as the truth of that settles inside me. I break his stare to look at the screen, then look at each of my guys. Emotions bubble up inside me, so intense andgoodthat I don’t trust myself to try to say anything, but I’m saved from responding when the machine chimes.
Say yes, share your vows, and kiss the bride!
Two yes buttons appear on the screen, the same as last time.
Sylus steps up without hesitation, pressing his button with a flourish then turns to me, his grin playful. His fingers curl around my throat, thumb pressing lightly against my pulse.
“Yes, no, maybe so?” he murmurs, tilting his head as if daring me to answer wrong.
A shiver rolls down my spine. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice breathy.
His grin widens, approval flashing in his silver eyes. He pecks my lips before releasing my throat and turning back to the screen.“Then push that button, Sparkle.”
I huff a laugh as I press mine, and his grin softens into something warmer before he takes my pinky finger into his. “Sparkle baby, I promise to be yours, to keep being your person, and keep doing exactly what we’ve been doing for the last five years forever. I love you.”
“Isnobodybothered that he’s now done this twice and will never let us forget it for the rest of our lives?” Nicholas mutters from behind us, his voice laced with exasperation.
“Shh,” Koen hisses while Ace just snickers, clearly enjoying the chaos.
I ignore them and squeeze Sylus’s pinky. “You knew it from the start. You saw me, even when I didn’t see myself, and you never gave up on me. I’m so thankful you didn’t.” My eyes sting, but I don’t bother hiding the tears. “You’re my person. I love you, and I promise to keep loving you forever.”
His grin turns mischievous as he leans in and kisses me, his lips lingering just enough to make me feel like I’m floating. The faintclickof the photo is barely noticeable over the pounding of my heart.
Then Sylus steps aside, making way for Koen, whose gaze is already locked on me. Without a word, he presses his button, his lips twitching into a small, knowing smirk. It’s the kind of look that says,I see you,and it sends a shiver down my spine.
When it’s my turn, I press mine, barely looking at it as I try to summon a way to say all the things I can’t quite put into words. My lips part like I might say something, but I don’t, trusting him to pick up on the storm brewing inside me.
His smirk softens, and he gives me that subtle, approving nod, the kind that saysgood girlwithout needing to say it out loud. It’s the same nod that has always made me feel seen, steady, and most of all—safe.
“You’re the wildcard I didn’t see coming,” he starts, his voice strong and sure. “But I’d never give you back. You’ve changedmy life for the better in ways I didn’t think were possible. I’ve never trusted anyone with my heart, my life, more than I trust you. I love you, Little Thief.”
