Page 127 of A Lesson in Obedience

“You have, little liar, and while we all appreciate that, maybe we could talk about easing back into a routine.”

I snorted, taking a pretzel from the bowl and popping it into my mouth. “A routine? Are you trying to have routine sex with me,sir? So romantic.” My tone was overflowing with sarcasm.

He groaned. “River already said he was fine with watching.”

“What?!”

“After we all talked about it of course.” He winked at me which was so out of character I almost started laughing. “If you need more time, that’s okay too. I know you might not be totally okay at the moment, so just say the word and whatever you want is yours….well, within reason.”

Grayson walked up and snagged a tiny pretzel from one of the bowls. He looked from me to Asher. “Ah, did he tell you what we talked about?”

“You guys are ridiculous.”

“Aking sinta, if it’s too soon, we can?—”

I pushed my hand over his mouth. “Yes, I know.”

A knock came at the door and I walked over to open it, seeing Corrin and Mateo standing there. Mateo held two cases of beer in each of their hands. “Buenas noches!We brought drinks!”

“Oh hell yeah!” Grayson shrugged past me, grabbing one of the cases and ushering Mateo inside. I rolled my eyes and gave Corrin a hug before letting her through the threshold.

“Wait, Jade and Ike are back there. We also brought Beau friends to play with.” Corrin clapped her hands and went to go say hi, while Jade and Ike came in behind her. Jax strutted inside, never giving Beau a second glance and Ted flew around the living room, eventually perching himself on top of the TV.

“Is that a fucking bird?” Asher said, stopping when he noticed Ted and then took all of us in.

“Yes, it is.” I kissed his cheek.

River had his leg propped up on the coffee table and his arm was in its sling, but he made it work so I could adjust snuggling into him. Asher tucked himself in on the other side of River, while Grayson happily sat on my other side. Mateo took the other chair with Corrin in their lap while Jade and Ike sat on the floor, attempting not to scarf down most of the food.

Beau sat on the floor next to Jade, but never too far away from me, tucking his head into her lap.

“Are you happy, gorgeous?” River asked as he nuzzled the side of my face, kissing my temple.

I played with my nose ring and thought about that. I was happy because I was safe. I’d done scary things and made mistakes. I’d lost people I cared about and did some things I’ll never be able to take back. We would go back to Mystic Riegan and I could fully decide if Celica was something I wanted. I was a witch before I even knew about the coven and I’d be a witch long after I graduated. My dad had loved that school despite its many, many flaws.

And now maybe I could learn to love it too.

“I’m home. So yes, I’m very happy.”

Epilogue

RILEY

TWO MONTHS LATER

Ikicked my feet as I sat on the counter, glancing up from my book to watch Grayson move around the kitchen. I dug inside the bag of candy gummies that sat next to me, pulling out a few and putting them in my mouth. Grayson had decided that since school was out for Thanksgiving break and after everything we’d been through, he was going to show off his ‘cooking’ skills. He’d claimed that he’d watched his mom make chicken adobo enough times that he could recreate it with no issues. The moment I’d walked into the kitchen and saw the raw chicken thighs, garlic, soy sauce and everything else, my mouth started to water. This couldn’t be so bad.

I looked back down to find my place again when I heard a swiftfuckand a splat. I put my book down, looking past my feet to see a chicken thigh laying on the floor, oil splattered around it. I moved my eyes up to Grayson, who was holding a pair of tongs and sayingwhat I assumed was mumbled curse words in Tagalog under his breath. The telltale sound of Beau’s paws hit my ears and I knew he was headed to the free food.

Not for you, buddy. I thought to him, I saw him peek around the counter, giving me sad eyes.

He looked away and towards the piece of chicken.

Beau. No.I scolded. He huffed and laid down on the ground, his head between his paws. He was so dramatic.

Grayson reached down and picked up the food, getting supplies from under the sink and cleaning up the mess in record time. He gave me a look over his shoulder. “You say nothing.”

I was about to pick up my book again but stopped. “I haven’t said anything this whole time.”