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Bruiser stilled, his eyes growing wide with delight and pleasure. “Yes. Even though you’ve never said it in so many words before.”

“Well, there you have it.”

Bruiser grinned. “I love you too.”

He ducked his head and pressed kisses all over Uriel’s face—on his forehead, his cheeks, his nose, his lips. Uriel’s heart swelled; he cupped Bruiser’s face and returned the kiss, a sense of rightness settling in his chest.

Their baby moved, a quick nudge followed by a contraction. Uriel frowned, breaking the kiss.

“Please don’t tell me that was a contraction,” Bruiser said.

“I think it kind of was,” Uriel replied.

They looked at each other.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Bruiser said. “Then we won’t have to worry about the worst-case scenario.”

Someone snickered. Uriel flipped them off and dragged Bruiser over to the Circle, where they took their places on their own circles.

The magnitude of the ceremony struck him like a lightning bolt. There was no going back after this; it would be a huge change in his life.

“Ready?” Bruiser asked. Uriel nodded, and Bruiser raised his voice. “We’ll walk the Circle thrice. At the end of it, Uriel and I will be bonded.” Bruiser paused. “Once for luck.”

They began walking, slow steps because Uriel needed extra time to find the circle’s groove with his toes. Everyone watched them.

“This is like exhibitionism without any orgasms,” Uriel blurted.

Bruiser choked on a laugh.

Griff cleared his throat. Then he began to sing.

“Tonight I’ll ride you like a pony

You’ll rock our world, just you and me

I’ll be on your disco stick

You’ll teach me the ways of your prick

We’ll shoot twin fountains, the juices of loooove”

Uriel broke down into a giggling fit. “Oh gods.”

All the butlers burst into a round of applause.

Bruiser sighed and helped Uriel along on their circle. “I’m going to pretend that did not happen.”

“But what will you tell your grandchildren?” Hunner cried.

“That it was a boring ceremony where nothing happened,” Bruiser said.

Just as they stepped across the invisible line to complete a lap, Uriel’s belly contracted again. He gasped and clutched his abdomen.

Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

Around them, the circles glowed a faint blue, and a gentle breeze picked up in the cavern. Bruiser glanced at Uriel worriedly.

Uriel gave him a nod. “Let’s get this over with.”