Page 106 of Bewitched By the Djinn
His arm wraps around me, a kiss whispering against my hair. “But we did.”
I nod. “I know. I didn’t think it would feel like this. I thought there would be cheering. Some kind of cinematic music swell.”
He huffs a soft laugh. “You want me to hum something dramatic?”
“Only if you simultaneously rip your shirt open.”
He glances down at his shirt. “Halfway there.”
Despite everything, I laugh. Just a light chuckle. But it’s real.
I sag further against him, our physical connection helping the stiffness bleed slowly from my spine.
“We’re going to have to explain everything tomorrow. To everyone. Servants, council members, visiting delegates. Helen wants to go back an hour ago. Your parents too.” Tension tightens his body and his emotions seep into me.
I turn my head to look at him. “You’re worried.”
He swallows. “The bond allows no secrets.”
“You think I don’t want to stay here with you?”
His gaze narrows on mine. “You... you wish to stay here?”
“Don’t you have to? You’re like, the ruler, or whatever, you and Helen?”
“Well, yes. But?—”
“We can go back and visit my family sometimes, right? I mean, we are pretty magical now, together. I bet Helen can show us how to open a portal.”
“Of course.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He slips off the couch and comes to his knees before me. “You would give up your life in the mortal realm, for me?”
I chuckle. “What life? I was raising my siblings, which I don’t have to do anymore because they have parents, and doing random side jobs that I hated. Here, I can learn about a whole new world.” Excitement slips through me. “A whole new, magical history of art and literature and artifacts. The possibilities are endless.”
His hands slide gently into mine. “Cassie, I’ve lost so much in my life. I was living half a life. And then you freed me from the lamp, threatened me with your stick, and I—I never stood a chance.”
My chest tightens, warmth blooming in my ribs.
Then he leans closer, his voice a little steadier. “So. I have no ring,” we both wince at that memory, “no speech prepared, and we still smell like demon smoke, but, uh, will you marry me?”
My heart stops in my chest. “Wait. Seriously?”
His head tilts. “Is that a yes?”
My mouth falls open. I shut it. It falls open again. “Isn’t this kind of fast?”
He shrugs. “We’re fated mates. I think we’re already legally, mystically, cosmically bound.”
I pretend to consider. “True. And you’ll promise to love and honor and take care of all the evil bugs that might come into my presence?”
He nods. “It’s a strong foundation for marriage.”
“Okay.” My mouth stretches across my face. I must be grinning like a lunatic. This must be what bombshells feel like when they’re dropped into theLove Islandvilla, ready to cause chaos and drama and revel in it. “Let’s get married. But like, in a bit. Like next year or later.”
His answering smile could rival the sun.
