Page 81 of Eternal

Abe smiles his brilliant, dazzling smile, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. A second time. You may now kiss the bride!”

Soren’s hands snatch me by my waist before I can even react, pulling me in for a deep kiss. Claps erupt from our tiny group, and everything is perfect for us. Soren pulls away, resting his forehead on mine.

“I love you, Freya.” He whispers.

“I love you too, Soren,” I responded.

We turn our attention to Abe and Serena standing off to the side. They seem to be sharing their own intimate moment as well. Before we know it, they’ll be getting married as well. I am sure of it.

“Come, let’s have dinner.” Soren approaches the server waiting near the dining room, plucks two glasses of champagne off his tray, and hands one to me.

Chapter thirty-four

Soren

Imaybeinover my head, but she’s so fucking worth it. All the memories we’ve collected together flash behind my eyes as she takes her first step toward me. I want to engulf her in my arms and whisk her away from everyone. I thought she embodied beauty in her first dress, but no. She’s alluring now. I can only see her. The way the scoop of her dress dances is just low enough to showcase her delicate collarbones. The way her sleeves stop at the elbow makes me itch to see more skin. The way the top bodice hugs her curves almost makes my dick go hard, but I doubt Serena and Abe would appreciate that. She is my darling, my life, my wife, my bride, my partner in crime, myeverything. Everything starts and stops with her. And I’d give anything up to keep her by my side even in the next life.

I grasp her waist, and pull her along with me to the dining room table, sitting her down in one of the four spots available. The private chef we hired, approaches along with servers to deliver our food, before bowing and returning to the kitchen.

“So, when can we expect your wedding?” I teasingly question the other couple.

Abe tenses like I’ve just stabbed him, while Serena blushes.

“We’d have to get engaged first before that happens,” Serena quips.

Freya leans in, “You say that like you’re wanting it to happen sooner rather than later.”

Serena shrugs and hides behind the wine glass she’s brought to her face. “Perhaps,” She mutters.

“How long have you guys been dating anyway?” I ask, not remembering if Freya’s told me.

“It’s been four years, so perhaps it’ll happen soon.” Abe not so subtly hints to Serena.

Freya casually cuts into her dinner, “You better not fuck up her engagement ring.”

Abe starts on his dinner as well. “Noted.” Abe chews pensively before turning his attention to the table. “Where do you see yourselves in five years?”

Serena and Freya share the same blank stare as they think hard about it. It’s daunting, thinking about the future like that.

“I don’t know,” I’m the first to respond. “I never imagined Freya would come into my life, nor did I imagine myself ever settling down. In five years, I’d like to imagine Freya and I would live somewhere off the grid with children. We wouldn’t have to deal with the stress of running a business or answer to anyone else. We’d have two children with a third on the way. But who knows what the future entails.”

Freya looks at me with a hollowed look, and concern eats at me. Does she not want to have children with me? I know we were threatened by Luca, but that doesn't mean it should hold us back from what we truly want in life.

Serena picks up on the tension between us and clears her throat. “I propose we make a toast to the couple of tonight. May all your dreams come true. I wish for nothing but happiness for both of you.”

We raise our glasses and clink them together.

As the conversation winds down, Freya wraps her hand around my bicep, making my heart flutter.

“I’ll be right back. I need to use the 'restroom,'” She whispers into my ear, pressing a kiss on the shell of it.

I shiver and watch as she saunters up the stairs, but she looks back at me. Her eyes seduce me into joining her. I’ll need to come up with another excuse. “Well, I am going to head to bed. It’s late. Thank you both for today.” I stand and offer both of them one of my genuine smiles.

I follow Freya up the stairs and pull on my tie. I’d rather skip the foreplay and jump right to the good stuff today.

As I push it open, the door squeaks, and I start speaking before I’m even in the room completely.

"Freya, I don't care about what my father told you. I want to have kids with you, and we shouldn't let that asshole hold us back from anything."

"Soren." Her voice is strangled and quiet.

My eyes snap up to where she is, only to stare down the silhouette of a lanky, familiar man holding my beloved in a chokehold, a knife pressed to her neck. A glare is plastered on her face, and her body sings with a want for bloodshed.

“Where’s my grandchild, Soren?”

The sound of Freya’s pained scream rings through the air, waking the monster that lives deep within me.

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