Page 103 of Monstrosity
"Put it on her!" someone shouts.
"That's tradition!" another voice adds.
Emil's face is murderous as he stalks toward Saga, who looks like she wants the ground to swallow her.
He kneels stiffly, garter in hand.
"Just get it over with," Saga mutters.
Emil slides the garter onto her leg with hands that are definitely not as steady as before.
When his fingers brush her skin, I swear I see sparks.
He lingers for just a second longer than necessary before practically leaping back.
"There. Happy?" he growls at the crowd.
"Ecstatic," Tor says with a shit-eating grin.
Emil storms off toward the bar while Saga escapes in the opposite direction.
The crowd disperses, but I notice they keep catching each other's eyes across the yard for the rest of the night.
"Dance with me," Rio requests, appearing at my elbow.
"Always," I agree, letting him lead me to the makeshift dance floor.
Other couples join us—Tor and Meghan, Runes and his wife, others.
The song is slow and sweet, and I melt into Rio's arms.
"Thank you," he murmurs against my ear.
"For what?"
"For this. For choosing us. For giving me a life I never thought I'd have again."
"Rio—"
"Let me finish," he says softly. "After Flora died, I was convinced that was it for me. One shot at happiness, and I'd lostit. I was going to raise the girls alone, be alone, die alone. Then you walked into my life with your smile and your coffee and your stubborn refusal to let me push you away."
"You tried," I remind him. "Especially in the beginning."
"Half-heartedly," he admits. "Even then, I think I knew you were special. I just didn't think I deserved another chance."
"You deserve all the chances," I tell him firmly. "You're a good man, Rio Rojas. The best man. My man."
"Forever?"
"Forever."
We dance through two more songs before Cali interrupts.
"Daddy! Mommy-Dasha! Family dance!" she demands, tugging at our clothes.
"Yeah, family dance!" Florencia agrees.
We adjust to include them, Rio lifting Cali while I hold Florencia's hands.
