Page 83 of Unfettered

Flyn pulls back just enough to whisper, “You’re sure? I’ve not ambushed you and put you on the spot?”

Sammy is crying quietly into Blue’s shoulder. Red’s face has gone suspiciously pink.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” I assure him.

He kisses me again. The kind of kiss that confirms everything. A kiss that carves words into my soul. A kiss that saysyou’re mineandI’m yours.Andthis is forever.

Around us, people begin clinking glasses. I was right about the toasts, after all.

Pink lifts his glass and calls, “To Jade and Flyn. May your life be long and your arguments petty.”

“May your love be louder than your fears,” Blue adds.

“And may your kids be weird,” Ned grins.

Everyone laughs again, and I let myself be folded into it, into this enormous, loud, ridiculous, perfect family.

I never thought I’d be anyone’s anything. I never thought I’d be safe. I never thought I’d beloved.

And now?

I’m going to be Flyn’s husband.

And I’ve never been happier.

And I, Jade, former experiment, former harem prisoner, former tool of the fey, sit down beside the man I love and take his hand in mine.

We are surrounded by joy. By family. By the people who saw me at my worst and never turned away.

There are still battles ahead. The world isn’t perfect. But for tonight, we are whole. And tomorrow?

Tomorrow, we begin forever.