Page 89 of Redeeming the Angel

Lucian grabbed my wrist.“Put that down.You don’t need to swear a blood vow.”

I pouted at him.“Then why—”

“I wanted to make sure you were serious.”His voice held an edge of caution and hope “But I want you to marry me on your own free will.”

I should have been annoyed at him testing me like that, but I understood why.Even before he hurt me when he found out I was pregnant, I’d spent centuries postponing the wedding.It was no wonder he wanted to be absolutely sure that I wouldn’t renege on it.Also, it was impossible to be vexed at him when he was sprawled out on a plush rug, the light of the fire painting his body in flickering swathes of gold, his sleepy blue eyes…

I decided to end the discussion by snuggling against him, resting my head on his chest.“You may go tell our matriarchs to prepare a contract in the morning.”

In answer, he kissed the top of my head.I dozed off, feeling not only satisfied in a way I hadn’t been since the last time I let him service my Yearning, but also like a vast and suffocating weight had been lifted from my heart.

I awoke slightly when Lucian lifted me from the floor, the slightly cooler air made me curl towards his warmth.I hummed with happiness at his rocking strides that made me feel like I was on a ship.As he laid me down on his soft bed and pulled the even softer covers over me, I couldn’t help mumbling the words I’d held so close to my heart for so long.

“I love you.”

I don’t know if he replied.Sleep pulled me back down to its tranquil darkness.This time I knew my dreams would be happy because he was here and would never leave me.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Lucian

Present

When I awoke the following afternoon, all my muscles ached, but it was a good ache.A blissful sigh escaped me because the soreness meant my night with Kerainne wasn’t a dream.Then my chest tightened in a brief moment of worry as I rolled over and reached for the other side of the bed.

Instead of the cold feel of vacant mattress, my hand touched blessedly warm skin.Kerainne’s soft hum of satisfaction filled me with triumph.Although I had countless things to do, there was no way I was leaving her alone in my bed.Not after all the years I’d longed for her to be there when I awoke.

She wasn’t the only beautiful creature in my bed.A fluffy black and white cat I’d never seen before slept peacefully below Kerainne’s feet.Though Xochitl only officially had two cats, she had many friends who visited.I wondered if I should feed it.

Kerainne’s sleepy voice pulled my attention from the feline.“What time is it?”

I looked at the clock and cursed at the intrusion of the outside world and my duties.“After two…pm.”

“Ugh.I don’t want to get up.”

“Then don’t.Let’s stay in bed until tomorrow.Or maybe next week.”

“You know we can’t do that.”She sat up and drew her brows together in mock severity.“We’re the grownups.We’re more obligated to be responsible than youngsters like Silas.”

“Silas is five hundred years old.”

“Exactly.”She stuck her tongue out and threw the covers aside, making my mouth go dry at her glorious, naked body.

Strange how nudity never affected me, unless it was her.The same desire reflected in her eyes as she gazed at my body.

I sprang to the other side of the bed and pulled her into my arms.“If I wasn’t still drained from last night, I would keep you here.”For now, it was enough to just hold her.“Do you still want to marry me?”

“Yes.”Kerainne lifted herself up on her toes as I lowered my head to kiss her.“When are you going to tell the matriarchs?”

“Today.”

Her eyes widened, but thankfully lacked the hesitation she used to have when we’d discussed marriage.“That fast?”

“I don’t want to risk losing you again.”My confidence faltered.“Unless you need more time?”

“No.I’d suggest we go to Vegas today and have a ceremony with a fake Elvis if we could get away with it.”

“What’s a fake Elvis?”

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