Page 176 of Stars in Umbra
Before the teasing could spiral, Selene called out across the terrace, clapping her hands for attention.
‘Alright, everyone! Cake time!’
The kids shrieked, threw themselves from the pool, and stampeded toward the table, trailing water and squeals.
Kainan set aside his beer and prowled over.
He reached his children first, ruffled their damp hair, and dropped a kiss on each of their heads as they leaned over the four-tiered confectionery, giddy with anticipation.
He slid an arm around Selene’s waist and pulled her into him, pressing his lips to her temple.
‘The cake is incredible,khamila,’ he murmured.
‘That’s Harlow’s artistry, not mine,’ she replied, with a wink.
‘De nada,’ he rasped, ‘besides, you’re the icing I want to lick off.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘You have a terrible mouth.’
‘And you married it,’ he growled with a smug smirk.
She shushed him, narrowed her eyes, but pushed her spine into his embrace, moaning at the soft slide of his hand down her back, before he tapped her ass. ‘Later, soldier.’
‘Can’t wait,’ he growled, eyes sparkling.
She turned from him with a wink and kicked off the ‘Happy Birthday’ chorus.
Their extended found family’s voices chimed in loud and heartfelt as the twins soaked up all the attention.
As the last notes faded, a suddenBOOMlit up the sky.
All of their heads twisted as an explosion of light erupted overhead, in waves of color that streaked across the horizon in radiant crescents of mauve, gold, silver, and aqua.
The rivers of shimmering fire fell in a spectacle that rivaled any display Sable HQ had ever seen.
The children screamed in awe, clapping, pointing.
The wives looked up, their eyes expansive and amazed.
Selene leaned toward Kainan, laughing. ‘Baby! You organized fireworks?’
Kainan blinked. ‘Uhm, about that-.’
His voice trailed off as all five Sable Riders present received a private neural ping even as Selene kissed Kainan’s cheek, her eyes dancing with delight.
Kainan tapped his node link.Mirage? That you?
Her utterance was laced with satisfaction.‘I won’t take the honors. That light show is courtesy of Molan. Mission complete. Eden II is safe. You’re welcome.’
Kainan’s eyes drifted to the glowing arc of fire above, then to his family, laughing and cheering.
He smiled. ‘Well done, Sable warriors. Well done.’
The lift chimed, and Mo, Rina, and Mirage stepped out onto the Sable HQ terrace.
Still in their armored suits, they brought with them the smoke and scuff of battle, each of them battered but upright, marked but unbowed.
A deep scratch marred Mo’s rib plate, and a smear of dried blood traced his jawline.
