Page 175 of Heimlock

My brother grunts. “Being a moody adolescent in his bedroom. Says he hates the crowds. His Siphon powers are increasing, so it’s hard on him.”

“Poor kid,” I mutter, taking another sip. “Do you think Rhuth will have the same ability?”

He shrugs. “Hard to say at this age. But she lit the counter on fire last week, so at least we know she’ll have elemental magyck.”

I chuckle. “Keep telling me these things — makes it easier not to have kids anytime soon.”

Fynn looks down at his daughter with so much love, it almost makes me want to take the words back. “Orliana is due in five months.” He looks up. “We found out the gender.”

My heart skips a beat with excitement. “What is it?”

“A boy.”

I grin, tilting my beer toward his. We clink the bottles before drinking. “Any ideas on the name?”

He shakes his head. “She’s still trying to decide.”

“Trinte’s a good name.”

My brother snorts, sending me a dry look. “Like this world needs two of you.”

“Fair,” I say, grinning.

“There you are.” Kyrielle walks over, plucking the beer out of my hand, sitting on my thigh and stealing a sip. “What are you two talking about?”

“How they’re naming their son after me, because I’m the sole reason they were together in the first place,” I quip, ignoring the glare my brother's drilling into my head.

Kyrielle laughs. “We don’t need two of you in this world.”

“See?” Fynn says, sounding too damn smug.

“Is this where the cool kids are gathering?” Orliana says, huffing as she walks over to us, a hand gently resting on her belly. She eyes Rhuth. “You tired her out? Before the cake?”

Fynn looks chagrined. “Sorry. I’m sure she’ll wake up in a minute or two.”

“That’s probably true,” she mutters, then smiles. “Well, that just means we can eat lunch first. The guests are getting hungry.”

I tap Kyrielle’s thigh. “Up. I’m going to go help.”

Keeping my beer, she hops off and bounds off to chat with Reverie. I watch her run off, loving the way her orange hair bounces with each enthusiastic step.

Orliana and Fynn come to stand by me, Rhuth still fast asleep.

“So, tomorrow night?” Orliana murmurs.

I give my sister-in-law a smile. “Yep. It’s all planned. Luca and Reverie will be there at Infinity Falls at sunset. Do you think she has a clue?”

“Not a one,” Fynn says, rubbing small circles on his daughter’s back. “She might kill you for hiding a secret.”

My chest fills with joy, knowing she’s going to do the absolute opposite when she sees the emerald cut sunstone engagement ring I’ve picked out for her. We might not want kids, maybe ever, but I’m very eager to make her my wife.

As Kyrielle rocks her head back and lets out a throaty laugh, I’m struck with a consuming sense of love that threatens to bring me to my knees. Sensing my stare, she finds my gaze and offers a blinding smile, then turns her focus back to Reverie.

Orliana threads her arm through mine, leaning her head on my arm. “I’m so happy for you, Trinte.”

“Me, too.”

Watching my future wife speak enthusiastically with Reverie, her orange fingers expressive with each word, I can’t help but be filled with gratitude. Life has a funny way of taking you down through thrashing storms, but all storms pass. Sunshine is inevitable. It’s about finding people who will hold your hand through the rain.