Page 113

At the very back of the shelf were a few rocks, glimmering but unpolished, small enough to fit into a five-year-old’s hand.

“They were colorful,” Bruiser said. “I liked them and told my parents that I was going to save them for my mate.”

Uriel held his breath, picking up the stones one by one. All of them were different. The metal ores glimmered in his hands, colorful and multi-faceted, each containing a low hum of magic. Then there were the raw gemstones—aquamarine, topaz, and tiger’s eye. “How did you even get your hands on these?”

“We visited someone who had a bunch of unpolished gems. A friend of my parents’,” Bruiser said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Apparently I took a shine to these rocks.”

Uriel rubbed his thumb over a metal ore, his words escaping him. “This... It’s a great courtship gift.”

“Yeah?” Bruiser lit up. “When I grew older, I didn’t think anyone would be interested in the unpolished rocks, so I set them aside.”

“I like them,” Uriel said. “They’re perfect, full of magic and potential.”

Bruiser’s breath hitched. “Does that mean you accept my courtship?”

“I...” Uriel’s face flamed. “Yes.”

“Of all the things I collected... I didn’t think these would be what you’d pick,” Bruiser said, smiling ruefully. He cupped Uriel’s jaw and tipped his face up, and their kiss filled Uriel’s chest with warmth. “Mine,” Bruiser whispered against his lips. “All mine.”

Uriel couldn’t say the words yet, but he felt his heart stutter into sync with Bruiser’s.

Uriel

So... I have a confession.

Yaeger

Gasp!

Telos

Is this about you getting together with Bruiser? Because we’ve already heard that. Like, weeks ago.

Mav

Congrats, btw

Bruiser

I can’t believe you had a pool on us.

Uriel

Do you want the confession or not???

Bruiser

I already know it. (smiling emoji)

Raptor

Don’t make us smack you, Bruiser. Shut up so the rest of us can hear.

Uriel

This would probably be better in person, but there are just too many of you, and I don’t want to wait for everyone to show up because you just won’t fit

Ace