Page 49 of Fixing the Grumpy Pumpkin King

Rowan leaned forward, delighted. “Holy shit, keep talking!”

“I don’t wanna hear any more of that!” Locke covered his ears.

Seraphina just smiled, perfectly pleased with herself. Then her expression turned gentle. She reached into her pocket andpulled out a stone. Teal, shot through with veins of gold, smooth and warm.

“This is for you,” she said, pressing it into Locke’s palm. “Set it on the floor and charge it with your magic. It will open a portal directly to the Loam. Your way home.”

Locke stared at the stone. This was it. This was really happening.

His hands shook slightly as he knelt, placing the stone on the living room floor. He took a breath. Reached for that well of power inside him that Jack had helped him find, that he was still learning to understand.

Magic poured into the stone.

The air shimmered. Split. A portal bloomed into existence, edges rippling with autumn colors even though winter was nearly here. Through it, Locke could see the Loam. Golden light and ancient trees and a castle in the distance that looked like something from a dream.

And there, waiting on the other side, were Jack or Lord Mabon and the familiars.

He stood in his full fae glory. White-gold hair catching the light. Golden skin. Crown of vines. Those autumn eyes fixed on Locke like he was the only thing that mattered in any realm.

He reached out. His hand stopped at the portal’s edge, not crossing through, just extended in invitation.

Pumpkin the cat appeared from nowhere, weaving between Locke’s legs and purring. The cat who’d ignored him for weeks, who’d given exactly zero fucks about anything, was rubbing against him like this was goodbye.

Seraphina beamed. “Wait until I tell the other witches. My grandson discovered his magic and became a god. They’re going to be so jealous.”

Locke looked back at them. His grandmother, proud and mischievous. His best friend since kindergarten, alreadyplanning how to summon him back. This place that had been his refuge. This town that had been his home.

Then he looked forward. At Jack. At forever. At the adventure waiting on the other side of that portal.

He stepped through.

The Loam embraced him immediately. Warm and alive and welcoming. Jack pulled him close, and Locke melted into him, feeling the rightness of it settle into his bones.

“Welcome home,” Jack murmured against his hair.

Locke pulled back just enough to look at him. To see that joy and relief and love written across his face.

Then he kissed him.

The portal shimmered behind them. Began to close. Through it, Locke could see Rowan waving wildly, Seraphina dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, Pumpkin sitting sphinx-like and watching with those inscrutable cat eyes.

The portal sealed shut.

And Locke Shadehaven, warlock, accidentally powerful, anxious and brave and finally, finally home, began his forever.

THE END