My eyes burned, and my throat tightened. “I can’t wait.”
***
Ursuline had mentioned game nights at the Spires before, but I’d been thinking about the casino itself. I’d figured it was flash, competition, where Ursuline and their friends all got together and gambled. But when I stepped into the dining hall on the upper floors where we’d been staying, the realization of what this was descended. This was a family gathering.
Sofia and Cillian chatted with each other at one of the tables, while Gretel and Amelia started to set out the cards for what looked to be a game of Sparks. Jaffar sat at the other long table, his long black waves pulled back today in a low ponytail. Mal sat beside him, and his bright purple lipstick and eyeshadow made the black scale accents along his features pop. Opposite them was a woman with wild brown hair and eyes that almost glowed, along with Charles and Theo, who I’d gotten to know well over our week here.
“Now we can get started,” Amelia said, glancing up to us. “Who’s ready for some Sparks?”
“I’m ready for some food,” Charles said. “Did anyone place the pizza order yet?”
“I have it handled,” Cillian responded. “Food should be here shortly.”
“I’m over playing Sparks,” Mal called out. “When can we bring a different game to the table?”
“Why do you think I sat here?” Jaffar commented with a smirk.
“Come sit down,” Beau offered us, pointing to the spots at their table that were still open. So many of these people had become friends in such a short time. The shift made me realize how few of them I’d had before, how isolated I’d been.
“I’ll always play a few rounds of Sparks,” Ursuline said with a wan smile. They kept their hand on my lower back as theyguided me over to the table, and I soaked in every bit of contact I could.
Today had been emotional, life-changing, and a revelation.
And tonight, we could celebrate our freedom with the people who’d helped us earn it.
“Did the Alpha Blue guys give you any difficulty?” I called over to Mal from our table.
Mal let out a bark of a laugh. “They’re underequipped to deal with dragons. I flew off right after the first blast while they floundered.”
“And you delivered the final blow to Triton?” Sofia asked Ursuline.
Ursuline nodded. “Now I’m done with that family for good.”
“Fuck yeah,” Charles called. “Bring out the champagne.”
“Luckily I thought ahead,” Beau said as he pulled a few bottles from a small cooler he had by his chair. “We already planned on celebrating.”
“Tonight is also an official welcome to Elrich,” Gretel said, and heat rose to my cheeks at being acknowledged like that. “We’re happy to have you here.”
Charles let out a hoot, and the wild-haired girl at the other table howled.
My heart thrummed. I’d never found this sort of acceptance before, this warmth. One of Ursuline’s tentacles wrapped around my thigh and squeezed tight, and a shiver ran down my spine. This was what I’d spent a lifetime looking for, something I believed I’d never truly find. The love and support of a partner who understood me better than anyone, who brightened my world, and the warmth and belonging of a family.
“Get on my lap,” Sofia said to Gretel, who arched a brow.
“Ugh, you two are nauseatingly cute,” Amelia grumbled.
“Don’t be jealous, Ames,” Beau teased. “You could find yourself someone if you’d pull away from work once in a while.” Cillian let out a rich, rumbling laugh.
“So, is anyone here good at Sparks?” I asked. I was a mediocre player, but I enjoyed the game.
Charles groaned from the other table. “They’ll all start grandstanding now.”
“Maybe if you were better at Sparks, you’d like it,” Amelia called over.
“Who wants champagne?” Beau asked, and he popped the cork. The hiss echoed through the room.
“Me,” I volunteered, raising my hand. “We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”
