Page 142 of Dash

“Athena Astor, you know I’m an old soul,” he started. “You’ve known me in this life since we were kids. That’s a long time, but I believe we’ve known each other even longer, since before the universe began, when we were but a promise of life in the dark void.”

Aw. My heart swelled and melted at the same time.

“I believe I’ve followed you through the very process of creation,” he continued. “Through the eons where stars were made and unmade. You and I, we’ve lived a billion lives in a million universes. I recognize you from all my forevers. Your soul has always called me, sang to me, owned me. I’m the steel in your dagger. No matter where I go or in what form I exist, I’ll always be a part of you.”

My throat closed with emotion. My eyes welled up and my voice failed me, so I spoke in the only way I could. I kissed him, deep and long, a kiss I hoped would convey not only my agreement with him, but also my adoration for him.

“I’m not done,” he mumbled against my lips before he separated his mouth from mine. “When I gave you this ring before, I was afraid that, if you knew the ferocity of my love, I would scare you away. Now I know that the only thing that frightens me is to live without you. So please, don’t make me.”

“I won’t.” I wiped the tears from my eyes and pushed out the words. “Without you, I’m not my true self.”

“I know that the road ahead won’t be easy,” he said. “We face a lot of hurdles, but I promise I’ll strive every day to be a better man, to walk the path beside you, no matter what. This fierce love that burns so hot in me is for you, only you.” He tookthe ring out of the box and turned it between his fingers before he met my gaze again. “Now, I have a question for you.”

“No, wait.” I took a deep breath and traded my tears for a smile. “It’s my turn.”

He cocked his eyebrows. “Is it, now?”

“Uh-huh.” I took a deep breath. “Dashiell Dagger, I need you like I need water to thrive. I love you in a way that defies understanding and description. I want to build a life with you. I want a family, a bunch of little Daggers zooming all over Astor house. We used to dream about that. Remember?”

“I could never forget.” His voice vibrated with emotion.

“I want to create a real family with you, where everyone is loved and supported for who they are and not for who they ought to be. I want the adventure of adoring you in this world and in all the universes beyond. Will you please marry me?”

“Oh, I’ll marry you, for sure.” He slid the ring on my finger, then took my hand. “You can count on that, but—”

“Hold on,” I protested. “We’re making poetry here and there’s a freaking but?”

“I know you, darling.” He cupped my cheek, his eyes beaming with his passion. “My devotion to you is eternal. We’ve loved each other for so long that our vows are a formality. I want us to get married as soon as possible and make those babies, in whatever order you decide. But I also want us to marry when your life is whole and your heart is full.”

“My heart is full.” I kissed him. “With you.”

“And so is mine, but I have a dream I want to share with you, a dream that honors all the love you have in your heart and all the light you bring to the world.”

I trailed my fingers over the shadow of his beard. “Tell me about your dream.”

“On our wedding day, I want to see you overflowing with all the affection you deserve, surrounded by all the people youlove.” He brushed his lips against me, a caress so gentle that it touched my soul. “So how about this? We’ll get married when your sisters are back. Because they will be back. I swear. I want the complete fairytale ending for you.”

“Oh, Dash.” I was crying again. “It’s a perfect dream. I’d love that.”

“Then it’s settled.” His smile was the only promise I needed. “We’ll get married when the Astor sisters are reunited again.”

We sealed the promise with our lips and then continued kissing for the rest of the ride to the hospital. We were still at it when we got there.

Epilogue

Thena

The night was late and the new moon meant that, beyond my bedroom’s bank of windows, the stars had staged a takeover of the sky. They shimmered against the darkness, doubling their brilliance on the lake’s still waters. The stars, my mother used to say, loved to show off and watch themselves in the mirror. Well, then, tonight, they were putting on quite the show.

Warm beneath the covers, draped over Dash’s good side, I listened as his heart sang a melody of life and strength, past and present, dreams lost and recovered. And still, I couldn’t sleep. The old song kept replaying in my head.

We’re the Astor sisters,

Berry merry sisters.

Hang on, hold on,

And don’t let go.

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