"Did I just—? Oh God. I didn't mean to say that part out loud. The drugs must have fried my filter, too."
Anton's eyes crinkle with amusement, his hand still cupping my face with that impossible gentleness that melts me from the inside out.
His thumb traces the curve of my bottom lip, making my breath catch. "I want every thought in that brilliant mind of yours, Solnishko. Filtered or unfiltered."
I look up at him, searching his face for any sign of judgment but find only warmth.
"I'm pretty sure you don't want everything that goes through my head," I whisper. "Sometimes it's a lot."
Anton's lips curve into a genuine smile, transforming his entire face. "I'll take it all, Fee. Your brilliance, your calculations, your random musings." He takes my hands in his, his voice dropping lower. "I'll cherish every word. Support every ambition. Stand beside you through everything life brings us."
"Those sound like wedding vows," I blurt out, then immediately widen my eyes in horror. "See? No filter. None at all."
Anton doesn't flinch. Instead, his expression turns serious, his gray eyes holding mine with unwavering certainty.
"They might as well be," he says quietly, his voice steady and sure. "Because I'm not going anywhere, Fee. I'm back to stay. You are the woman for me, until the day I die."
"You two are disgustingly sweet," Moira interrupts, though her tone is affectionate. "Anton, did Fee mention she's planning to come to Providence with me? To be my personal servant while I'm on bed rest?"
He turns to Lorenzo and Moira. "I hope you two aren't tired of seeing me, because I'll need to visit. That is—" he glances back at me, "—if you're okay with that, Fee."
"More than okay," I whisper.
Lorenzo steps forward, placing a hand on Anton's shoulder. "You're like family, Anton. Tonight and every day. You helped keep my family safe. I will forever be in your debt."
Anton shakes his head. "No debts between us. Not anymore."
Loyalty like this, in our world, lasts a lifetime.
Anton turns back to me, his expression softening again. "So, Providence?"
"Providence," I confirm. "You promise to visit often? And maybe bring more lilies?"
"Every day," he promises, eyes holding mine. "As many flowers as you want."
I reach up to touch his face, marveling at how this deadly man looks at me with such tenderness.
"Thank you," I whisper, my throat suddenly tight. "For keeping me safe. From that first moment we met, you've been there."
Anton's jaw tightens. He shifts closer, both knees now on the floor as he leans in, forehead touching mine.
"I'm so sorry my past came to hunt you. But they're all dead now. Every single one. No one will ever threaten you like that again."
I trace the outline of his teardrop tattoo with my fingertip. "I know."
He catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm.
"You deserve so much, Solnishko." His voice wraps around me like velvet. "A proper courtship. That date I promised you. Flowers that aren't apologies." A smile touches his lips. "I'm ready to give you all of it. Everything you deserve."
This man, who carries the weight of death on his shoulders, has delivered to me what the saints on my bracelet promise.
I twist the delicate silver bracelet around my wrist. I see Anton looking at it too. The silver charms of the saints I often pray to dangle from the delicate chain.
"This one's Saint Michael the Archangel," I say, touching the winged figure with his sword raised. "Protector against evil. Grandma Quinn said he'd guard me against the darkness that comes with our world." I smile faintly. "I prayed to Saint Michael as soon as I woke up and found out you had left. He's a warrior, like you; he protects against evil. I prayed to him to give you the strength to face the monsters without becoming one."
Anton's expression softens. "And this one?" He points to a heart-shaped charm.
"Saint Valentine, guardian of lovers." My cheeks warm. "I never thought I'd need his intercession, not really, until Sage met Maks and I met you. And lately, I've been asking him to bless what we have. To protect this unexpected gift."
