Page 98 of Riot of Autumn

I slide one hand up her arm, pulling it away from my neck. Before she can protest, I slip on the ring I’ve had picked out for months. It’s a salt and pepper diamond in a rose gold antique setting. I knew as soon as I saw the stone that it was perfect for Ruby. They say the diamond is flawed, which gives it the unique color. But it’s those same imperfections that make it utterly unique and beautiful.

Ruby sucks in a breath, her head jerking up to look at me and then back down to the ring.

“You know you’re supposed to ask, right?” Her voice is breathy, and her skin is dotted with goosebumps. I lift her hand and press a kiss to her knuckles and then the palm.

“If I asked, you would have argued with me.”

A little of the shock eases away, and the usual fire sparks in her eyes. “I don’t argue about everything.”

“Name one thing you don’t argue about.”

Ruby licks her lips and pulls on the back of my neck with the hand that’s still clutching my nape. “I don’t argue when you want to eat me out until I forget my name.”

I still have one hand on her lower back, and I press her tight to me, letting her feel how her words make me instantly hard. Leaning down, I run my teeth over the skin beneath her ear. “I’m pretty sure you boss me around every time I use my tongue to fuck you.” I hum, then growl in her ear. “Don’t stop, right there, you’re a fucking god.”

Ruby chuckles, but not before she shivers in my arms. “I don’t think I’ve ever said that last one. And none of those sound like an argument to me.”

I nip the lobe of her ear and pull back to look at her. “I’ll rectify that tonight.”

Our joined hands are resting over my heart, right where Ruby’s name is tattooed. Ruby’s fingers move over the spot like she’s tracing her name, even though she can’t see it through my shirt.

I wait for her to look back up at me. “Ruby Laurens, you make me so proud to be your partner every single day. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to share my life with my best friend, let alone have someone who makes me laugh, keeps me on my toes arguing about all of life’s mysteries, and brings me more happiness than it seems fair for one person to have.”

Ruby sucks in her bottom lip, blinking a few times like she’s holding back tears.

“Will you marry me? I’ll always be there to make you sandwiches. And maybe someday have a kid or two that we can love so much they’ll never know what it’s like to feel alone?”

“Are you sure they would be kids? Or would it be a litter of wolves or something?” Ruby cackles, but she doesn’t wait for me to respond. She yanks on my shirt and pulls me down. I meet her in a kiss that sets the world on fire.

“I love you, Ezra Jackson. Even if you do like disgusting artisanal drinks and cream soda. I love how you make me feel like I’m perfect, even though I’ll admit under force that I’m not. You never stopped encouraging me to be brave and chase my dreams. I want to argue with you forever about whether zombies or Jesus would win in a fight.”

“Technically, Jesus is a zombie.”

Ruby kisses me before I can start this ongoing debate back up.

“Yes. I’ll marry you,” she murmurs against my lips before she kisses me again.

I didn’t think I could be any happier than Ruby has made me these last two years, but right now my heart is so full I could fly without shifting into a crow.

“We’d better go tell the others before Archer does.” I lace our fingers together, loving the feel of my ring on her finger. I lead her toward where the rest of our friends are gathered.

“How would Archer know already?” Ruby leans into my side as we cut through the other couples.

“I swear he’s taught his shadows how to listen to gossip.”

Ruby rolls her eyes but moves faster toward our friends until she’s practically pulling me along behind her.

“Someone looks like they’re glowing.” Archer smirks at Ruby, and I wonder if he really has figured out how to listen through the shadows.

“Thanks. I had a facial before the wedding.” I wink back at him like I’m the one he’s complimented.

“What’s the rush? You guys just ran over here like the Fae are on your heels,” Miri jokes, but then her face drops. “Please tell me that’s not the case.”

“What? No. Way to be a buzzkill.” Ruby chuckles.

“Our news is much better than that.” I grin, holding up Ruby’s hand.

It takes a full five seconds before everyone catches on to our announcement. Archer gets there first, pushing me out of the way and squeezing Ruby in a tight hug. “I’m available for maid of honor and best man positions.”

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