Chapter 19 #3
I nodded. Someone would only marry me out of duty?
Ouch. “In that case, I think killing Richard would be the tidiest method of making my intentions clear to all the families who consider the child of Ever Storm to be an asset to their future family lines. It will not happen. I didn’t come back to life to marry someone for duty.
I’ve been a vampire for a century. Duty?
I want books and chocolate. Maybe I’ll live with Ever and help him with his business.
His chocolate is very good, and I do want family.
So, if I ended Richard, that would kill two birds with one stone. Don’t you agree?”
He blinked at me and then slowly frowned. “You don’t want to marry an angel?”
“Not for duty. And I’m not strong enough to join them in their ranks, to earn anyone’s respect.”
He put the dangerous bean soup back on the tray and pressed his large hands on his thighs while he studied me with a growing frown.
“Your blood is precious. Ever sacrificed so much to bring you back. And you want family. Duty is worthwhile, although I can’t imagine anyone not loving you if you gave them the chance. ”
My heart panged at the mention of love. Could I touch him?
I needed to. I tugged off his glove with my weak and trembling fingers then grabbed his hand, holding it tight as I stared at him.
My heart throbbed with pain and happiness.
Being so close to him, not craving his blood, just holding his hand, my pulse beating in my palm echoing in his own hand.
I swallowed hard. These words were more delicate and vulnerable than any other I’d ever spoken.
“I didn’t come back for him. I came back for you.
If you don’t want me, then I won’t have an angel or anyone.
I will love you for the rest of my life.
You have my heart. My heart beats only for you.
Literally, Gavriel. Can’t you feel it?” I pulled his hand up over my chest where my heart beat faster and faster as he stared at me.
He swallowed hard and then carefully squeezed my fingers. “You haven’t changed your mind about me?”
“One thing you can trust is my constancy in love. I’ve proven how stupidly I love. Is there any way you could love me? I don’t mind working to be less delicate, and I still know more about killing than anyone else. I’m not helpless, however shaky my hands are.”
He exhaled and scooped me up.
He wrapped me in his wings and his arms, so gently, it didn’t hurt at all. Once I was cradled against his chest, my head tucked under his chin so I could listen to his heart beat, I finally felt truly alive for the first time in my existence.
“Very well,” he murmured against my hair before pressing a dozen kisses into the messy strands.
“And you’ll marry me?” I asked against his pounding heart.
“If you’ll have me. I have a ring for you.”
I slowly smiled. “You sound very excited about the prospect. It must be for my special blood lines.”
“You’re alive. It’s what I wanted so much, I almost lost my soul in the desire for it. I don’t deserve you, not when I failed to resist the lure he offered me.”
“I deserve execution. How delightful that we don’t get what we deserve. I think the Team Leader would call it redemption.” I tangled my fingers in his hair and breathed in deeply. His scent was still deliciously lickable. He still loved me? Even when I was so weak?
He snuggled me closer and rubbed his cheek against my hair. “I call it heaven. Will you truly marry me?” His voice was rough with emotions, relief, hope.
I swallowed down a lump in my throat while my eyes filled with hot tears. He felt so good wrapped around me. “Only if you keep me warm for the rest of my life. Also retrieve my ferret.”
He kissed my shoulder, sending a shock of happiness through me. “Of course Crucible will come. He can steal from all the guests while we’re performing the ceremony. I saw his tricks while you were unconscious. We should get married tomorrow.”
I held him tighter, melting into his arms. “I love you so stupidly, Gavriel. Don’t ever be polite to me again.”
He laughed a low rumble in his chest. “My mother would be appalled to hear that I was ever less than perfectly polite to anyone.”
“Oh. Your mother. I suppose you have a father as well.”
“That’s right.” He didn’t say anything else.
I slowly raised my head to stare into his eyes. “But my father could probably take your father?”
“Undoubtedly.” He nodded firmly.
“Even though he’s over a hundred years old?”
“Absolutely. My father would allow him the kill strike if it was essential for preserving his dignity.”
“Ah. Angels are all insane.”
“Yes. I am particularly insane about you.”
I smiled at him and then sighed happily. “I hope so. Well, since I proposed to you and you accepted, I should probably kiss you. It’s very traditional.”
He smiled and leaned down, pressing the sweetest, most chase kiss in the world to my lips. It was heaven and thunder, love sweet and eternal. And I had an entire life to spend kissing the man whose love had brought me to life.