I gather her close, careful with my strength, grateful beyond measure for this second chance. As I prepare to carry her home, I make a silent vow: I will spend every day proving worthy of the faith she’s placing in me.
Not through dominance or control, but through the much harder work of becoming someone deserving of her love.
FIFTY-SIX
ABADDON
The orchestral musicHannah insisted Romulus fly to acquire fills our dining hall, transforming our ancient castle into something magical. Soon she won’t be Hannah-consort anymore—the thought sends warmth flooding through my chest—soon she’ll be Hannah-wife.
And there she is, appearing at the far end of the room in that magnificent white dress that pools around her like moonlight on water. When she insisted on bringing it from her old life, I didn’t understand. Now, watching her move toward me with such grace and purpose, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for her foresight.
She takes my breath away.
It took a month for Romulus to weave protection runes around the entire castle, but I wouldn’t bring her home until I was certain she’d be safe. While he worked his magic, I took Hannah to Italy and an abandoned island I know well, where we could be alone with our love and our future.
The island holds dark memories for me. During Napoleon’s campaigns, it housed a sanatorium where victims of my plague were quarantined to die. I’d never brought anyone there before, but Hannah deserved to know all of me, even the darkest parts.
“Following my father’s orders, I brought sickness to many,” I confessed as we sat on crumbling stone steps overlooking the sea. “He called it ‘cleansing.’ I told myself humans were expendable because it was easier than admitting what I really knew.”
“You didn’t know better then,” she said softly.
“In my heart, I always knew it was wrong. But Father called such thoughts weakness and did his best to beat them out of me.” I looked around at the ghost-touched ruins. “The dead don’t forgive easily.”
Her fingers found the fur at my neck, gentle and accepting. “They don’t have to. All creatures deserve the chance to change. Take your second chance and do good now.”
As the sunset painted the distant city in gold, I took her hand in mine. “While you’re beside me, I will be the best version of myself.”
She rested her head on my shoulder, and when stars emerged overhead, she climbed into my lap and kissed me with such tender passion that I forgot everything but her love. We made our own heaven among those haunted stones, loving each other under infinite stars.
We spent that month healing together—making love, sharing meals we cooked from fish I caught, talking through our fears and dreams. Only when Romulus confirmed the castle was secure did I tell her it was time to go home.
“This has been like a wonderful honeymoon,” she said with a smile that made my heart race.
“What is this word?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Her cheeks turned the most delightful shade of pink. “It’s what couples call the vacation they take after their wedding.” Her expression fell slightly. “Though I guess we never actually had a wedding...”
She touched her growing belly absently, and something clicked into place.
“You are my consort,” I stated, confused by her disappointment.
Fire flashed in her eyes. “That’s not exactly the most romantic title, is it? What am I supposed to tell our child—that I’m Daddy’sconsort?”
When she stalked away along the mossy ledge, I followed immediately. “I’ve displeased you, but I don’t understand why. Is this a human custom you desire?”
She spun to face me. “Well, I didn’t drag that ridiculous wedding dress halfway around the world for fun!”
Wedding... the word triggered old memories. “A binding ceremony?” I asked carefully, since she still looked ready to murder me.
Her expression softened. “Yes.”
I stepped closer, hope building in my chest. “And you would like this ceremony with me?”
“We’re about to be parents!” She threw her hands up. “So yes, it might be nice!”
I swept her into my arms, wings wrapping around us both. “Beloved,” I whispered against her ear, “I would bind myself to you in every way possible—by human custom, heavenly law, and any other tradition in existence if I knew them.”
“Really?” she squeaked.
