Page 99 of Briar

I cut through the ropes. “Off you go.”

He stumbles off as if he thinks he’s actually getting away with it. His new piercing, laced with a pretty dose of poison, hangs from his lip as he glances back at us before nearly throwing himself down the stairs in his haste.

He’ll have a week at max. And if he somehow survives, Kai gets to go hunting.

“A new leaf,” River murmurs as we descend the stairs. My eyes catch on Briar, her hands laced with Alyss’s as she shouts something in her ear. To her credit, Alyss only looks mildly uncomfortable. “This should be interesting.”

“Yes.” Smiling, I start to move through the crowd toward her. Kai is dancing beside them, surprisingly graceful as he slips behind Briar and sets his hands on her hips. He looks… happy. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Briar

My cries fill the bedroom as Kai rolls his hips into me. My mouth drops down onto his as I move my hips, and he groans, his head tilting back as I run my fingers through my hair. My words are interspersed with gasps. “I’m going to be - late for -work.”

He shrugs, a glint in his eyes. But he picks up the pace until my muscles clench around him and my nails rake down his back.

When we’re done, I slump against him, my forehead resting against his. “Love you.”

His lips brush my ear. “Briar.”

The murmur is deep. A little gruff.

And…out loud.

My whole body stiffens as I pull back. “What – what… did you just…?”

He’s smiling, that small, sweet smile that he reserves for me.I’m late for work too. My boss is an asshole.

Jenson left an hour ago. Gaping, I stare at him as he effortlessly tips me off him and scrambles for his clothes. “Kai. You… youspoke.”

I do have the ability. I just… prefer not to use it. Most of the time, I can’t. The words won’t come out.

“You said my name,” I breathe.

I’m still staring when he pauses in front of me, dressed in the shirt he wears for the days he and Jenson plan on getting dirty with their renovation work.

He presses his lips to mine. “Briar.”

And then he signs. Heart soaring, I’m still signing when he slips from the bedroom we all share, leaving me in the bed that Jenson built for us.

At Ravenhall.

In this life I could never have predicted but wouldn’t change. So much better than any fairytale.