Page 79 of Forbidden Harvest

Her gaze drops, a pink blush staining her cheeks. “I felt the same, Jared. Even then, there was something about you that drew me in.”

I step closer, my voice low and intense. “And now, I want you forever. Every dark corner of my soul belongs to you, and I want all of you in return.”

Pulling out the small box, I sink to one knee and open it. Inside is a delicate ring crafted from black gold featuring an exquisitely cut black gem. It’s as unique and extraordinary as her. “Aria, I love you. Be mine forever.”

Her eyes shine with unshed tears, a mixture of joy and anticipation. “Oh, Jared...” Her breath catches, overcome by the moment. The moment stretches thick with anticipation. She bites her lip, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “Yes,” she whispers finally, her voice thick with emotion.

I slide the ring onto her finger, my hands trembling. “You won’t regret this, Aria. I promise to protect you, to give you everything you desire.”

She throws her arms around my neck, her eyes shining. “I know you will, Jared. I trust you with my life.”

Pulling her close, I breathe in the scent of her hair, my heart overflowing with dark joy. She’s mine. Truly mine. The ring is a seal, a symbol of our forbidden union.

“Tonight is just the beginning, baby. I have so much more planned for us.” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear. “Our love story will be the most epic, twisted tale ever told.”

She shivers, desire flashing in her eyes. “I can’t wait, Jared. Show me what it means to be truly yours.”

Claiming her lips, I kiss her with all the passion and depth of my obsession. Our tongues intertwine a fierce and hungry dance that mirrors the tempest within my soul. Her taste, her scent, they own me, body and soul.

Aria’s eyes shine with a mixture of love, surrender, and a hint of that spark that keeps us alive. At that moment, our love feels like a storm, wild and untamed, and I crave nothing more than to be consumed by it.

42

EPILOGUE

ARIA

Six months later…

Istand here, surrounded by friends who have become family, and prepare to pledge my life to Jared. My heart races as I reflect on the turbulent journey that led us to this moment.

Jared stands tall and proud beside me, his dark past veiled beneath a carefully crafted facade. He’s kept his promise to behave, but I know the simmering darkness within him. It mirrors the shadows that dwell inside me—shadows that first materialized when he dragged me into his world.

The absence of our parents on this day weighs on my mind. Given Jared’s wanted status back in the States, I know their presence is impossible. Nonetheless, their absence leaves a pang of sadness within me. I’m glad we kept our first names, even though it was risky. I couldn’t imagine calling him by a different name.

As the ceremony commences, my hands begin to shake.

“Do you, Aria, take Jared to be your husband?”

I draw in a steadying breath, meeting Jared’s intense gaze. “I do.”

My voice is steady, reflecting the conviction in my heart. Despite the tangled web, we’ve woven.

“And do you promise to care for, cherish, and protect him?”

“I do,” I whisper softly, my eyes never leaving his.

Jared’s hand finds mine, his touch gentle. At this moment, I feel a sense of belonging and home.

“I, Jared, take you, Aria, to be my wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

His voice, rich and deep, washes over me, and the weight of our past lifts. Together, we’ve constructed a new reality, a sanctuary where our love can flourish.

I’m keenly aware of the friends standing with us, our chosen family, unknowing witnesses to our unconventional union.

As the ceremony continues, my throat constricts with unshed tears.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

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