Page 234 of The Darkest Chase

Eight.

“I do,” Micah answers firmly.

Seven.

I’m fizzing to bits, nearly bouncing on my toes.

“And do you, Talia Grey, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Six.

“I do,” I say, more emphatically than I’ve ever said anything in my life.

Five.

And then Rolf is there, trotting down the aisle, looking very pleased with himself that he’s doing his trick right. Micah spent a month teaching him as he jogs up to us with his tags jingling against the ring box hooked to his collar.

Four.

“Good boy.” Micah tugs the box free, scratching behind Rolf’s ears.

Three.

The box open.

The rings are waiting.

Two.

Sliding onto each other’s fingers, cool gold bands that quickly warm with shared love, affection, and trust.

One.

The priest looks into our smiling faces and says the magic words. “Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Zero!

An ending.

A beginning.

A forever.

Our new life starts with Micah sweeping me into his arms with our ring-bound fingers pressed together.

His mouth captures mine, kissing me so deeply, so passionately.

I wonder how I ever thought this man was cold.

He gives me every emotion now with crushing lips and delving tongue, with a possessive hold and a whisper that gives me chills.

“Talia,” he growls against my lips. Like I’m a cherished thing he wants to taste and hold and keep.

And I kiss him back just as deeply, ignoring the people around us breaking into celebratory shouts.

It’s so distant when everything I need is right in front of me, here in my arms.

His lips taste like a promise—and a little like the salt of my tears, spilling down my cheeks.

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