Page 1 of Born Chaos

CHAPTERONE

Before the next summer solstice,you will hate the man you love most.

Echo, echo, echo, Archer King’s words echo through my brain in a deafening chorus.

But as I stare into those dark eyes, as I see the hope in them, the love, the devotion, I feel some of that fear ebb.

I love Sebastian. I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.

It is still equal parts elation and terror when the word whispers out over my lips.

“Yes.”

The smile that lights Sebastian’s face could melt off all my clothes. He slides that brilliant ring onto my finger and surges forward. His hands cup my face and his lips are the reassurance I’m looking for as they meet mine.

I love Sebastian.

I love him.

Good grief, I love him with everything in me.

So, I make a vow right here.

I won’t let Archer’s prophesy come true. I won’t let anything come between us. I will do whatever it takes to make sure this relationship works.

“You had me scared for a second there,” Sebastian chuckles into my lips. “You kind of looked like you were going to bolt.”

I shake my head, even though, once more, Sebastian has proven that he can read me like no one else can. I’ve always thought it was like he could read my mind.

And I know it’s a problem when that thought now terrifies me. I’ve kept more than a few important facts from this man.

“It’s going to take more than a marriage proposal to make me run away,” I say softly instead. My eyes rise to meet his, and I’m relieved when he offers a sweet smile, that familiar look of complete adoration there.

“I know we haven’t talked dates yet,” he says as he takes my hand, and slowly, he walks backward to one of those plush, white couches. He sinks back into it and pulls me into his lap. Heat and excitement spark in my lower belly as I kneel one knee on either side of his hips, settling my weight onto him. “But there’s certainly something to be said about a June wedding. How about the twenty-first? It’s a Saturday.”

June. At the suggestion, my heart jumps into my throat, thudding hard.

Sebastian can hear the increase in my heart rate, evidenced by the slight furrowing of his brows.

I don’t know exactly which date the summer solstice is, but I do know it’s in June.

“June sounds amazing,” I say with an easy smile, despite the panic inside of me. I’ve always been up for a challenge. If we’re getting married in June, there’s no way I can hate him that month.

“Are you alright?” Sebastian asks softly as his expression sobers a bit. “If this is too fast, if you’re not sure—”

“It’s just been the world’s longest night,” I cut him off, blinking at the exhaustion that is indeed making me feel like the world is moving in slow motion. “You know, killing a psychopath, cremating a body, taking a necromancer prisoner, getting engaged…” I force a smile. “Days don’t get much bigger than this.”

Sebastian smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I snuck out. I lied to him. Despite him begging me to let Roman do his job and stay out of danger, I went right into it. He might not know the entirety of what happened in that cemetery, but he knows enough.

“Let’s get you to bed, then,” he says. Gripping me by the hips, he stands right up, keeping me secured around his waist. “I need you well-rested, future Mrs. Vincent. We have a wedding to plan.”

And despite my fears, despite the uncertainty planted in my mind thanks to Archer, I do find myself smiling genuinely. I press my lips to Sebastian’s as he carries us to his bedroom. I take his mouth as mine, and he brands me as his own.

We’re perfect together. We understand one another. Neither of us is totally black and white. And together, we’re going to build a beautiful future.

Sebastian steps into his bedroom and gently lowers me to the bed. Hovering over me, he trails his lips from my own to my jaw. His lips barely brush my skin as they glide over the hollow behind my ear.

“I love you, Juliet,” he says softly. And every fiber in me believes his words. I can feel it. I can taste it.

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