“Allison.” He hands me a gold band that’s meant for him, and I take it with shaky fingers.
It’s not from nerves, but from the realization that this is my happily ever after. I stare up at his dark gaze as I slip the ring onto his finger, and a look of satisfaction and relief shows on his face.
“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant says, and before I can reach for Magnus, he’s already there grabbing me and lifting me off my feet. As he claims my mouth, the crowd cheers, and it reminds me once again we have an audience. I’d gotten so lost in the wedding vows I’d forgotten about everything else.
He throws my legs over his arm, and two men in uniforms pull open the giant double doors ahead of us.
“We’re married,” I whisper to myself. Amber and I swore we’d never get married and that it would always be the two of us. We said we’d never leave each other, and I can’t help but wonder if I just betrayed her. My heart grows heavy with dread.
“Yes, we are.” I’ve never seen Magnus smile this much, including the night we met.
He carries me over the threshold, and ahead are two sets of stairs in the entryway. They part and come back together at the top inside the opulent castle. Magnus takes the stairs two at a time and turns left at the top.
“Where’s my sister?” I ask as guilt sets in. I rest my head on his chest and sigh.
“Likely getting married.”
“No, she’s not.” I shake my head. “She’s the tougher one. Nobody can make her do something she doesn't want to.”
Magnus lets out a deep chuckle, and I lift my head to glare at him.
“She’s getting married.” He lets go of me and I land in the middle of a plush bed. “You both say you don’t want to get married, but you truly do.”
“We made a pact and now I broke it! We promised we’d always stay together.” I get to my knees, wanting him to understand.
“Love, you’re not leaving each other. Don’t you see why this is so perfect? It’s even more evidence that this is fate.”
“What do you mean?” I’m trying to concentrate, but we’re married and now I’m in his bed.
“My brother and I rule together. We live on this side of the castle and they’ll live on the other.” I drop down onto my ass. His brows pull together, and he cups my face. “What is wrong?”
“It’s overwhelming. You picked me and then chased after me all over the globe. And then you said you would give all this up for me.” I lift my hand with the ring on it. “Is this a family ring?”
“It was my mother’s.”
Wow. I’m starting to think Magnus loves me. “You have history and a name. I’m a nobody from nowhere.”
His face softens. “Now you have my name, and we’ll make our own history with our children.”
With his simple words of devotion, my walls of protest come crumbling down. “I’m sorry I ran. I knew you were different, and it scared me.”
“As crazy as it drove me, I’m glad you did. I got to prove to you there is nothing I won’t do to have you, and I think you needed that.” I melt because he’s so right.
“It’s crazy how well you seem to know me already.” The man really doesn't miss a thing.
“It’s because you’re mine.”
I reach up, running my finger along his jaw.
“I want to be yours, Magnus. Will you make love to me now?”
“Are you in love?” he asks.
From the moment I met Magnus, he’s consumed my thoughts. He gave me something no one else ever has, and it’s helped me heal wounds I didn't know I still had.
“Yes, I love you, Magnus,” I admit, wanting him to know I’m all in.
Chapter 8
Magnus
“And I love you,” I say, leaning down and kissing her gently only the lips. “I never want this moment to end.”
She smiles up at me as I take off my suit coat and toss it on the floor.
“Is it because we’re married now?” she asks, and I shake my head.
“It’s because you love me.” I kick off my shoes and socks and then unbutton my shirt.
Allison kneels on the bed and reaches for me as I take off my shirt. Her hands run along my bare chest as I kiss her and unbuckle my belt at the same time. When I’m only in briefs, I curl my fingers around her hips and up her back to the zipper of her dress.
“We’re not leaving this bed for a very, very long time.” She smiles against my lips, and I pull her dress off of her shoulders and down to her ass.
“Is that a royal command?” She falls back on the bed, and I free her of the dress and her lacy panties.