Page 32 of Boundless Magic

“What do you think, kid?” she asked her daughter.

“I think you’re the best mom ever.” The raw honesty was visible for everyone to see and matched the awe in Chloe’s voice. “I love you.”

The rush of tears burned, and Autumn rapidly blinked them away as she bent and pulled Chloe into a bear hug. “I love you, too.”

“And because you love so hard and too much, I know she’ll always be protected if anything happens to me,” Keaton said gruffly. The emotion of the moment got to him the same as them, and they spared a moment for a group hug.

“Let’s go home.” Autumn smiled down at Chloe and caressed her cheek. “Then we’ll discuss what kind of puppy to get you and your brother. But only after you’ve been suitably grounded for practicing magic without an adult present.”

“Aw, Mama!” But Chloe’s complaint was half-hearted, and the idea of a new puppy brought forth her endearing grin. “Do I get to pick what kind?”

“We’ll see. Certainly not a three-headed Cerberus.”

In minutes, they’d joined their family from both sides of the portal. After the hugs and thank yous were spread around, their group linked hands.

“Spring?” Autumn looked to her younger sister for guidance to return to their reality.

“I’m—Oh!” Eyes wide, she stared at something beyond Autumn’s shoulder. “Wow.”

“Without turning, I can tell you caught sight of Half-Naked Knox,” Autumn said dryly. “I had a similar reaction.”

“One we’re going to discuss when we are safely home,” Keaton promised.

“Shhh. This feels like a weird dream anyway. Let me enjoy it.”

His chuckle made her grin.

Knowing it would be a minute before they got their return spell sorted, Autumn dropped her husband’s hand and twisted to see Gothica and HN Knox approaching. They both looked rumpled and extremely satiated.

Autumn nodded her approval. “Good for her! Well done, Gothica!” she called out.

Goth Spring’s flushed face was a joy to see. Perhaps she’d found the love she was denied by her selfish family.

“Now, I need you to get rid of your sexual brain fog and work with us to get home.”

Grecian-clad Knox stepped forward, and Autumn noticed he didn’t let go of Gothica’s hand. Undoubtedly, the man was smitten.

“I can take care of that,” he said. “All those planning to go through the portal, to the left. The others, stand on the right.”

“What about the trade? How do we know whatever went through will return here?” Autumn asked.

“I’ll make sure of it on this side, as Isis will on your side,” he assured her.

Gothica sighed her adoration.

“He must’ve been something in bed to put that look on her face,” Spring whispered in an aside.

Her Knox cleared his throat.

“I didn’t sayyouweren’t.” Grin pert, she patted his chest, pausing to appreciate his muscles. “Clearly, some things are universal.”

He laughed, drawing the attention of his godlike counterpart.

The two men studied each other with marked interest before HN Knox spoke. “I can see your power radiating from you. Why haven’t you taken your position with the deities?”

“Her.” Tilting his blond head toward Spring, Knox smiled. “I go where she goes.”

HN Knox studied Autumn’s perfectly groomed sister before glancing down at Gothica and grinning. “I can understand why. I believe I’ve found my life’s mission.”

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