Page 83 of Midnight Salvation

It suited her more than Nicole.

“I can’t change the past, but I can give you your freedom,” Ash said.

“Surely you don’t want to still marry me?” Her eyes were huge in her face.

“Fuck, no! My wife would object to that.”

I laughed and he shot me an amused look. “I really would object.”

Life had changed in the few weeks since Matteus left us. Ash had spent a lot of time changing his family company. His Uncle Bart died in a mysterious boating accident a few weeks ago around the time Jordan had gone on holiday. I found it best not to comment on coincidences.

“Why don’t you two take some time to get to know each other,” Ash said. “You have a lifetime to catch up on.”

Marigold didn’t wait for permission, she stood up and engulfed Nicole in a hug, hauling her daughter against her. “You did this,” she told me. “I knew the first moment I met you that you would change our family. Ash promised me before he went to Tuscany for the first time that he would only ever marry for love. He found you that summer and you saved him.”

No one could have predicted when he arrived all those years ago that he would one day be the man I would spend my life with. The alarm on my phone sounded and I jumped. “We have to go,” I said, standing up. “Catarina is modelling Harold’s outfit for the final in the goldsmith competition.”

“Can we come?” Nicole asked. “I love those sorts of shows, but I was never allowed to leave the house. I thought it was because Dad was super protective, now I see a different motive.”

Matteus probably never wanted the world to take a proper look at Nicole and see Marigold reflected in her. By keeping her hidden and lonely, he could activate his sick and twisted plan. Did he intend for her to be presented to all the Blackwood males like previous brides? I tried to suppress the shiver, but it rippled down my spine anyway.

Ash’s hand landed at the base of my back to steady my emotions.

The ballroom was already filled when we arrived, but our names were on the VIP list and we were guided to that area. I left Ash with the other women and went to help Catarina out the back with the rest of the models. Her hair was in a mass of curls on top of her head that cascaded down the back of her neck. Her make-up was heavy around her eyes and lips, making her look like a fierce warrioress. She was the only female model out in the staging area with men having golden armour strapped onto them.

Harold’s expression relaxed when he saw me walking toward them.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said. “We got caught up with business on the way here.”

Catarina was dressed in a skin-tight velvet catsuit that hugged every curve on her body. Harold handed me each piece out of his case, and I dressed Catarina. We had added bands at her wrists and delicate chains leading down from the shoulder pieces. Platinum daggers protruded from the wrists to add an air of danger. When we were finished, she was simply stunning in her outfit.

An audience had gathered around us as everyone stopped what they were doing to catch a glimpse of our entry into the competition.

“You’ve outdone yourself, Harold,” Seth said. “I recognise some of those jewels.” He winked at me in conspiracy.

“I had a little help from our mutual friend.” Harold laughed.

“I know who I’ll be voting for. Good luck!” Seth wandered off with his usual air of mystery around him. How did he manage to get on the voting panel for this event? He had so many fingers in pies, I swear the man had octopuses for hands.

“Stand tall and let your light shine,” I whispered to Catarina.

This had been her wish from childhood, but Papa would never have let any of us stand in this much limelight. Her smile was infectious, and we hugged before I took my place outside with all the others here tonight to view the finalists’ creations.

She was fierce on the catwalk, never once losing her focus. The sword down her spine had a jewel-encrusted handle and the scabbard was heavily engraved in a Celtic design with dark emeralds on it. The audience gasped as she grabbed the sword and swung it in front of her.

Without her display, some may have believed that her outfit was all for show. She flung the platinum daggers from her wristbands and they stuck in a target at the back of the stage. The room hushed as they took in her performance.

For this one night, she lived her fantasy. I applauded louder than anyone else when her time on the stage was over, and instead of taking a bow at the top before leaving, she swung her sword again dramatically.

There was no surprise that Harold won, the armour was different to anything else here tonight, and opened up different strands of conversation about the competition and how he had revolutionised it.

The night had been a huge success, but the best part was that I got to share it with my husband. Our marriage hadn’t been officially revealed, but more and more there were pictures of us appearing together and speculation grew in the gossip columns. Ash never once confirmed or denied anything, exactly what he did when he was photographed with Poppy or Nicole. The difference was that he slept beside me every night.

My family was flying out next week for Sofia and Nic’s blessing ceremony in Cuba. Ash and I would be announcing our marriage after that so Sofia could have her big day. I couldn’t wait to wear my rings in public. Marigold had said I had been Ash’s salvation, but he found my lost soul and returned it to me.

Our story started several years ago, but our romance was deeply embedded in the radiance of precious stones. Our lives were intertwined together in the same way that I wove gold and silver around diamonds. Each was beautiful on its own, but together they created something inexplicably stunning that lasted generations. Some of the greatest treasures on this planet had been pieces of jewellery found from centuries ago. That was the way I viewed our love—something that was designed to last not just our lifetime because our children would feel our love, too.

Several glasses of champagne to celebrate later, we all left the after party.

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