Page 52 of Back in the Hunt

That was Nox’s definition of Purpose and it was so much more fulfilling than the naked hunger for glory and justice that had driven Bryn before he had come to Georgetown. Brynhad thought he was worthy before, but he had merely been expendable. He may have been devoted to the task he’d been given, but there were no stakes for Bryn and he had nothing of his own to fight for until he found Everly.

There was so much more to the world and life than ferrying souls and Bryn was finallyliving. He had turned his nose up at Nox and Merlin for loving their very typical lives. But that was where you learned true magick and found precious, wondrous things to protect and uphold. It was all well and good to do the right thing and protect the innocent, but it was posturing and empty virtue unless you actuallylovedthe innocent and understood who you were doing the right thing for.

Bryn was shaking as he stood on the back deck, picturing barbecues with Arawn and Fletcher and evenings in the hammock stargazing with Everly. Not because he was scared of commitment or rushing and making a mistake, but becausehewas finally real. Bryn was no longer passing as a normal man with a full and typical life.

Before, his condo was a facade and his co-workers believed he was a workaholic and a fanatical runner. His doctor brothers were just another element of Bryn’s human disguise. But now, Bryn had his own soulmate and they would have ahome. He had a large family that made him stronger andhappier.

If you would have told Bryn that he could be happy, he would have told you to grow up or fuck off because he had bigger and better things to worry about than his own happiness. But Bryn had also learned that an unhappy man like Huge Douchebag could be dangerous, and he could do unspeakable harm by exploiting the pain and anger of one very unhappy child.

As powerful as Everly’s love and gentleness were, he still needed a family of strong protectors to guard him. That much good would always attract evil and offend the corrupt. The anti-Everly was gone, but there was no telling what Huge Douchebagwas planning or what else he had created. And a being with as muchgoodmagick as Everly would always be a threat to him.

Nox wasn’t done with Hugh Dùbhghlas either and Bryn suspected that was another reason he’d suggested the house in Silver Spring. Everly and Bryn would have their sylvan sanctuary on the outskirts of the Beltway, but they were still close to Nox and Bippity Boppity Books in case of an emergency.

“I think it’s perfect! What do you think?” Everly said, sliding the patio door shut behind him and reaching for Bryn.

They held each other, taking in the quiet afternoon and the shady peace of their new home. “This is exactly what I want,” Bryn stated as he wrapped an arm around Everly and tipped back his chin. He kissed him, cherishing the softness and warmth of Everly’s lips and how perfect he felt in Bryn’s arms. “This is what I’ve been hunting for my entire life, not glory. I thought I was answering my duty by seeking souls, but I was waiting for a changeling.”

Epilogue

Six months later…

“I’m getting married!” Everly whispered the words, still too tickled to believe it was actually happening. It seemed like a dream and a magickal secret as he peeked down at the backyard from the bedroom window.

The sun was setting and string lights and paper lanterns glowed softly as Everly’s friends mingled and waited for the ceremony to begin. Everly was in charge of the evening’s playlist and he had picked all of his favorite Louis Armstrong songs. The cheerful trumpet with the happy chatter on the back deck made the evening all the more cozy, but Everly’s heart soared as Bryn and Arawn strolled out together, arm-in-arm and took their places with Merlin at the altar.

Dressed in matching navy tuxedos with bluebell boutonnieres, Everly thought they both looked dashing, but Bryn made his tummy flip when he laughed and hugged Fletcher. They were celebrating and Bryn was so happy! That someone so beautiful and brave wouldcelebratetheir love forEverly was a miracle in itself and he felt extraordinarily lucky to have been chosen by Bryn.

Over the altar, an arch had been raised and strung with pale blue ribbons and pink roses and the hydrangeas, lilacs, and violets were blooming, adding to the dreamy splendor of the evening. Merlin was dressed in silver and his cape was embroidered with roses and trimmed with crystal beads. Everly thought he looked like a magickal priest and was honored to have Merlin officiating the ceremony.

Instead of a traditional wedding, Bryn and Everly chose to celebrate their love and commitment to each other with an amalgam of pagan and druid traditions. Merlin had lit an ancient copper cauldron and was smudging the altar with various smoking herbs and flowers as he danced and chanted.

A soft knock had Everly turning. “Come in,” he called before Nox opened the door and leaned around it.

“It’s time, buddy!” he said, then groaned as he pressed a hand against his chest. “You look so handsome. You’re gonna knock Bryn right off his feet.”

“Do you think so?” Everly went to the standing mirror for one last look. He had tried on a few different suits and tuxedos but Everly felt like he was overdressed and drowning in too many layers and too much tailoring. Merlin had helped Everly settle on a simple powder blue shirt, vest, and trousers. He adjusted the crown of pale blue flowers bobby-pinned to his hair, smiling at Nox’s reflection. “I made it myself!”

“You look like magick,” Nox said and sniffed as he swiped at a cheek and nodded. “I’m so, so happy for you, Everly, and I know that you and Bryn are going to takegoodcare of each other.”

“Me too,” Everly stated with utter certainty.

They had always taken good care of each other, from the moment they had met, and it was what made them happiest: caring for each other.

The music stopped and they heard a low, echoingbong!from the backyard as Merlin summoned them with the gong. “That’s our cue!” Nox said as he offered Everly his arm.

Outside, Howard dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief as he leaned on Tony, and Nelson and Fletcher looked so sharp in their suits. They were wearing powder blue ties and holding the matching bouquets Everly had made for them.

“What A Wonderful World” began to play and Everly started crying as Nox walked him down the back steps to meet Bryn.

“It really is a wonderful world!” he whispered shakily to Nox. “I always knew it was, I just didn’t think I’d ever get to be a part of it. But it’s even more wonderful than I ever imagined, now that I have Bryn and all of you!”

The groom was crying as well when they reached him and he accepted a tight embrace from Nox. “Enjoy every moment with Everly. He’s so damn special,” Nox told Bryn before stepping back.

“I will,” Bryn vowed, then promised to cherish and honor Everly for the rest of his days as their hands were bound over the cauldron.

Merlin faced each direction, chanting with a feather and a flame as he cast a protective ring around them. They kissed and Everly felt blessed as the sun set, filling the sky with pastels as fireflies flickered around them.

“Thank you!” Everly told Bryn as they danced to “A Kiss To Build A Dream On.”

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