I sniffle and nod, unable to speak.
He sighs, scratching the back of his neck. “Seraphina Carmicheal…I don’t know much about love. I’ve seen people in it, but me? I’m damaged goods. I’m hilarious and handsome—obviously—but I’m not love or husband material.”
The smallest ghost of a smile tugs at his lips.
“I’ll stay by your side until you find the love that you deserve. Then I’ll divorce you so fast your head will spin.” He pauses, eyes locked on mine. “That being said, Seraphina Carmicheal, I will marry you.”
My throat tightens. For a moment, I can’t speak.
I’m the broken one.
The unworthy one.
The one he shouldn’t want to save.
Still—he says yes.
Trey nods once, slow and deliberate. Then he straightens, voice flat but edged with decision: “Then… we’re doing this. We’re getting married.”
Trey stays crouched in front of me his hands braced on his knees. For a moment he just stares, like he’s holding a dozen words behind his teeth.
Then his jaw shifts. “Seraphina… what do you want from me?” His voice is low, steady. “Not what you need. I already know you need out. But what do you want from this marriage? From me?”
My lips part.
I open them, close them again.
“I…” My throat burns. “Just your protection.”
His eyes search mine. “That’s it?”
I nod, trembling. “I don’t expect you to be my Prince Charming. I don’t expect…” My cheeks burn with shame. “…anything. I’ve never had a relationship. I’ve never even been kissed.”
Trey exhales hard, running a hand through his hair. “So, you’re not asking me to love you?”
“I’m asking you to keep me safe,” I whisper.
He leans in, green eyes sharp as glass. “And if we do this—if the world thinks you’re mine—do you expect me to be faithful to our vow
I shake my head, quick, small. “I don’t expect that from you. I don’t expect you to change who you are. Just…don’t lie to me. Don’t pretend.”
For a heartbeat, something flickers across his face. Not anger. Not pity. Something heavier.
He nods again. “Okay. Then here’s what I promise. I’ll be your shield. No one will touch you without your say-so. I won’t force you into anything. I’ll be your perfect husband.”
My breath catches. “And in public?”
“In public,” he says, voice turning hard, protective, “you’re mine. No one will doubt it. That’s what keeps you safe.”
I swallow, my hands trembling in my lap. “That’s enough.”
He reaches out, brushing a curl from my face, his thumb grazing my cheek. There’s something in his expression—an edge—as if he’s trying to read the parts of me I keep hidden.
“Are you sure this is what you choose?” His voice is low, teasing, but there’s something raw beneath it. “You and me. Me and you. Together. Out in the world, where people can see.”
I nod slowly. He’s my light, I realize. The crack in the wall I thought I’d never find—the window to freedom I never stopped believing in.
“I’m not gonna keep you locked away,” he says, “You deserve to see things. People. Connections. You’re not gonna be some bird in a cage, or one of those parrots on display…nah, that’s not right.” He tilts his head, thinking. “Robin? Because of the red hair? Hmm…too obvious. Cardinal? No, that’s a little on the nose—"
