EPILOGUE #3
Sylus’s hand is warm in mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles absentmindedly.
I glance at him, catching the small, secretive smile tugging at his lips, the kind of smile that’s reserved only for me.
He lifts our joined hands and presses a kiss to my fingers.
I mirror the gesture, pressing my lips to the back of his hand, and linger long enough to catch the tiny sparkle tattoo on his ring finger.
I can still picture it clearly, him leaning casually against the counter at the tattoo parlor three years ago as I admired the new rose tattoos blooming over the scar on my shoulder. He’d wandered over when his session was done, holding out his hand to show me.
When I asked why he got it, he just winked, that devilish grin lighting up his face, and said, “Because sparkles are eternal. Just like you and me.”
Well, the guys could’ve noticed sooner, I guess. Sylus wasn’t exactly stealthy about it. But as my lips brush over his version of a wedding ring now, I can’t help but feel the truth of his words.
My gaze drifts down to my shoulder, where my tattoo peeks from beneath the strapless white dress Koen insisted was “absolutely perfect for a wedding.” The roses cover the scar completely, and I run my fingers lightly over them.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Sylus’s voice pulls me back.
“Just thinking about the tattoo shop,” I answer honestly, watching the corner of his mouth twitch into a bigger grin.
“Good times.” He winks, making me laugh.
The car slows, and I look up, catching sight of the pink auto-wed machine.
Thank fuck it’s still here.
I have no idea where Koen would have dragged me to fix this ’fuckup,’ as he called it, though now I see that it was unfair and agree that we have to fix it. And if I’m honest, I want to have this memory with all of them too.
The car pulls to a stop, and I spot Annabelle waiting outside with her husband, Michael. She’s bouncing on her toes despite the clear swell of her baby bump.
“You’re going to pop if you keep that up,” I tease her the moment I slip out of the car, then squeak out, “Don’t you dare!” as she runs toward me. I catch her in a hug with a laugh before pulling back and eyeing her bump. “Babe, calm down! You’ve got precious cargo in there!”
“I couldn’t help it!” Annabelle gushes, pulling me into another tight hug. “I’m just so happy you’re here!” She pulls back to take me in this time, her eyes sparkling as they sweep over me. “And look at this dress. God, you’re gorgeous!”
“Don’t even start, girl,” Levi huffs as he climbs out of the car, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeves like he’s affronted. “I wanted her to wear something appropriate for her big day, but she insisted on this no-name summer dress.”
I roll my eyes. “We decided yesterday to do this, Dove. Where exactly would you have arranged a dress overnight?”
“I have my ways.” He sniffs indignantly.
“He does,” Annabelle agrees with a smirk, shooting Levi a knowing look. “And you somehow managed to conjure up a bridesmaid overnight too.”
I grin at her. “I’m so glad I did. It’s been way too fucking long.”
“Too long since you dragged me to Tuscany, you mean?” she teases, her hands resting on her baby bump.
I laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t think setting you up in a private jet counts as dragging, but don’t think I won’t do it again once the baby’s here.”
“I hope so. But you could come here more often too.”
Sylus chuckles from the side, his arms crossed lazily. “Blondie, we’re still wanted criminals, if you remember.”
“Oh, I remember.” She grins. “I was there.”
The last time I was here with her was three years ago when she got married. I was her bridesmaid, and my family had tagged along, of course, and Levi and Ezra seized the opportunity to get married themselves the very next day. By an Elvis impersonator, no less.
“I’m sure I would be able to find a last-minute Elvis to officiate you guys here too.” Levi quips.
Koen groans. “One Elvis wedding is enough for a lifetime.”
“Yeah, because an auto-wed machine is so much better,” Ezra mutters.
“It is.” Sylus crouches at the back of the machine, fiddling with wires and grinning like a mad scientist. “How about…” he starts as he tugs out a cable and plugs it into his phone, “… we make this thing work for us.”
“What are you doing?”
“Upgrading it.”
The machine springs to life with a cheerful chime, and the screen lights up, but instead of only asking for a bride and a groom like last time, it now says something else.
The More… the Merrier.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” Sylus gestures dramatically at the screen, “… the modified Auto-wed Machine 3000, now polycule-compatible.”
I laugh hard as Sylus enters each of our names.
Sylus Walker.
Koen Lane.
Nicholas Lane.
Alaric Monroe.
Novalee Evans.
When he’s done, he looks at me softly as he says, “We’re all in it together.”
My laughter dies out as the truth of that settles inside me. I break his stare to look at the screen, then look at each of my guys. Emotions bubble up inside me, so intense and good that I don’t trust myself to try to say anything, but I’m saved from responding when the machine chimes.
Say yes, share your vows, and kiss the bride!
Two yes buttons appear on the screen, the same as last time.
Sylus steps up without hesitation, pressing his button with a flourish then turns to me, his grin playful. His fingers curl around my throat, thumb pressing lightly against my pulse.
“Yes, no, maybe so?” he murmurs, tilting his head as if daring me to answer wrong.
A shiver rolls down my spine. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice breathy.
His grin widens, approval flashing in his silver eyes. He pecks my lips before releasing my throat and turning back to the screen. “Then push that button, Sparkle.”
I huff a laugh as I press mine, and his grin softens into something warmer before he takes my pinky finger into his. “Sparkle baby, I promise to be yours, to keep being your person, and keep doing exactly what we’ve been doing for the last five years forever. I love you.”
“Is nobody bothered that he’s now done this twice and will never let us forget it for the rest of our lives?” Nicholas mutters from behind us, his voice laced with exasperation.
“Shh,” Koen hisses while Ace just snickers, clearly enjoying the chaos.
I ignore them and squeeze Sylus’s pinky. “You knew it from the start. You saw me, even when I didn’t see myself, and you never gave up on me. I’m so thankful you didn’t.” My eyes sting, but I don’t bother hiding the tears. “You’re my person. I love you, and I promise to keep loving you forever.”
His grin turns mischievous as he leans in and kisses me, his lips lingering just enough to make me feel like I’m floating. The faint click of the photo is barely noticeable over the pounding of my heart.
Then Sylus steps aside, making way for Koen, whose gaze is already locked on me. Without a word, he presses his button, his lips twitching into a small, knowing smirk. It’s the kind of look that says, I see you, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
When it’s my turn, I press mine, barely looking at it as I try to summon a way to say all the things I can’t quite put into words. My lips part like I might say something, but I don’t, trusting him to pick up on the storm brewing inside me.
His smirk softens, and he gives me that subtle, approving nod, the kind that says good girl without needing to say it out loud. It’s the same nod that has always made me feel seen, steady, and most of all—safe.
“You’re the wildcard I didn’t see coming,” he starts, his voice strong and sure. “But I’d never give you back. You’ve changed my life for the better in ways I didn’t think were possible. I’ve never trusted anyone with my heart, my life, more than I trust you. I love you, Little Thief.”
I know he can see right through me, right to every ounce of love and longing I feel for him right now.
I lean into my feelings, letting my shoulders drop, letting my face soften.
My lips curve into the smallest of smiles as I stare up at him, forgoing words and simply showing him how much I love him, how much I want him, how much I trust him too.
“You’re my safe haven,” I whisper, finally finding the perfect words to describe how I feel. “I love you, Koen. Always.”
His lips quirk in a way that shows me he always knows.
And God, I love him for it. His hand slides up to my cheek, and his kiss is a firm vow against my lips, leaving me feeling safe and cherished.
Another click follows, capturing the moment.
He breaks the kiss then but not the contact of our lips as he whispers, “Precious.”
He steps back after one more shared breath, and I smile as Nicholas takes his place, and his gaze locks on mine, a playful glint in it as his hand hovers over the screen. “Would you rather press that button and promise me forever, or—”
“I don’t need to hear the other option.” I cut him off, pressing my button without hesitation. “Because all I want is forever with you.”
“Sweetness.” His smile transforms into a wide grin. “You see me. All of me. You make me feel free in a way I didn’t think was possible. I’d follow you anywhere. I love you.”
My throat tightens, but I smile through it as I respond to him. It’s always been easy to be myself with him, even when I was pretending to be someone else. “And I’d let you. You make me feel like I can be myself unapologetically. And I love you for that.”
He rests his hands on my waist, pulling me to him and kissing me softly.
Another click sounds.
His warmth leaves me then, but is soothed by Ace who moves in close, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He nuzzles into the curve of my neck, his breath a soft caress against my skin. “I dare you to say yes.”
I tilt my head back and let my lips curve into a smirk. “I dare you to say it first.”
He chuckles, and we press our buttons together. “You’re daring.” His lips brush my cheek. “You’re wild, and you’re trouble. You’re perfect for me.”