The last time he’d shown me the original black diamond, he’d hinted at what he was. He used the stone as an example of his condition—absorbing lightand emotions rather than refracting and preventing them from entering. The analogy was perfect for him.
Moving closer, I placed my hand on his forearm. “I should’ve guessed that day. I should’ve known what you were and convinced you to run away with me.”
He chuckled. “Running was never an option, Needle. But you’re right. Those drugs really fucked me up. I’d hoped you’d guess and slap me out of it.”
I smiled. “I seem to remember I did in the end. I marched into your bedroom and forced you to listen.”
“You’ll never know how much your strength helped. How your tenacity to make me feel broke my unhappiness.” His lips touched mine as his hands pulled out the black pouch.
“This is for you.” He pushed the soft material into my grip.
I jerked backward. “What? No. There is no way I can accept that!”
He grinned. “Yes, you can. By accepting me, you’ve accepted it already. It’s yours and I want you to open it.”
“Jethro...”
He placed the ribbon in my fingers. “Open it.”
My hands shook as I opened the velvet. My eyes narrowed. I expected one large stone tenderly nestled in padding. However, something didn’t look right. Inside rested more parcels wrapped in delicate tissue paper.
Jethro crossed his arms, smugness decorating his face. “Go on. Keep going. You haven’t opened it all yet.”
Placing the pouch on the table, I plucked out the first packet. My fingers trembled harder as I pushed aside crepe paper. As soon as I unwrapped it, I almost dropped it. “Oh, my God.”
Jethro didn’t say a word as I pulled out the most stunning bracelet I’d ever seen. “This...it’s...you made this from the single black diamond?”
The one stone that’d started it all. The priceless gem that’d raised his family to riches and tainted glory so long ago.
Jethro nodded. “Yes.” Taking the dangling bracelet, his fingers traced the filigree pattern where gold licked around clusters of black diamonds, steadily growing bigger to one large rock in the centre of the design. “Give me your wrist.”
Speechless, I held out my arm.
Jethro very gently secured the jewellery. Of course, it was the perfect size. “You had this made for me?”
“How could I not?” He kissed me again. My heart transformed into feathers wanting to take flight. “You’re the reason I’m alive and happy. I want to give you everything, Nila.”
Running his fingers over the uniquely shaped diamonds, he added, “This cut is called a kite. It’s rare—not many jewellers remember the art.” He smirked. “I thought it was rather fitting to use in the design.”
I couldn’t stop staring. “More than fitting. Now I have a Kite in my heart and kites on my wrist.”
“For the rest of your life, I hope.”
Not letting me answer, he looked at the pouch again. “There’s more. Open the next one.”
I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the one he’d already given me. It was too much. Far, far more than I ever expected. The blackness of the stonessucked the light, glowing like an otherworldly charm.
Unable to speak, I pulled free the next crepe paper present. Tears glossed my eyes as I revealed what rested inside. “Jethro—”
Before I could kiss him or pounce in gratefulness, he dropped to one knee before me.
Stealing the black diamond ring, he grabbed my shaking left hand and smiled tenderly. “I’ve asked you to marry me twice. And each time you’ve said yes. As far as I’m concerned, you became a Hawk the moment you answered my first text. But I couldn’t steal you away for the rest of your life without doing this properly.”
I gasped as his voice broke. “Nila ‘Threads’ Weaver. Will you do me the absolute honour of accepting this ring, this man, this future? I offer you everything that I am and will become. I promise to adore you with every heartbeat and will forever protect you like I should've done from the day we met. Will you agree to be my best-friend and partner for the rest of our lives and continue to be so selfless with your love and kindness?”
He cleared his throat, forcing himself to continue. “In return, I promise to always love you, always protect you. I’ll be the anchor you need and will never do anything to hurt you again.”
I dropped to my knees before him. Knee to knee. Heart to heart. “I do. I accept and I promise you the same thing. I will never lie to you, hurt you, or keep things from you. I will always be there when you need me most.”
