Victor steps around to clap Lief on the shoulder as I push to my feet to hug Corallin. “I’ll see you soon,” I tell her and it’s a promise that I intend to keep.
I may have lost a lot in the past but not everything. And that which I have I intend to fight to keep.
We wave them off and I can’t help but feel oddly empty as Corallin closes the front door behind her. Leaving me in the inn.
I turn to Victor to see that he is watching me closely. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine?” I ask tilting my head. “Shouldn’t I be the one asking that question though? You’re the one who was gutted.”
He bites down on his lip as he studies me before he reaches around me to grab the book. He balances his fingertips on it as he slides it towards him. I lean back, bracing my hands on the table to keep from falling over. Victor is standing so close that I have nowhere to go except over the table if I want to get away. I don’t feel trapped though, a bit thrilled though as he looks me in the eye as his brown ones sparkle with green. “Just no more magic for you. I think it is best if you leave any madness to me. All right, wife?”
“So, am I still your wife?” I ask arching my brow. My voice comes out abashedly breathy.
Victor holds up a single finger. “About that…” he says.
I swallow hard, feeling my heart begin to sink. I had known that this was likely coming. After all, nothing had truly changed. We were still just a pair of liars. I draw in a shuddering breath as I remind myself that I’m right back to where I was before. A new start, but not hopeless. I’ll find a way to make it in this new world.
Victor pulls away and I feel the absence of his presence and warmth acutely. I ball my hand into a fist to keep from reaching out for him. But then he drops down to his knee in front of me.
I feel my eyes widen as he reaches into his pocket. He pulls out two small silver objects. I recognize them almost immediately. The rings.
He holds my gaze as he slides his ring back onto his finger. Then he holds up the other one. “You’ll always be my wife. What do you say, Mrs. Andreev? Can I still be your husband? You are still the most enchanting woman I know, even though I know most of your secrets now.”
“Only most,” I say with a smile as I reach out and grasp the ring. It slides into place on my finger, it never should have left in the first place. But this time, at least I mean it.
I started out thinking I was marrying a handsome yet desperate stranger. I thought I had stolen his heart, not realizing that Victor had stolen mine instead. I’d thought that while he might someday come to love me, I’d never love him in return. I’d always have to be holding back a part of myself.
Only to learn that all my broken jagged pieces fit perfectly with his.
He is my thief. A vessel of madness, an innkeeper’s son, a brother, and the man that I would face the threat of insanity for.
“Oh, and husband?” I say as I lean forward cupping his cheek.
“Yes?” he inquires.
“You may kiss the bride,” I breathe but then I don’t give him a chance to comply to my wishes. I lean forward, closing the distance between us and finally claim my first kiss.
Victor wraps his arms around me and pushes to his feet, lifting me with him. He spins in a circle and I kick my leg. I move my lips across his, tracing them and getting to know every curve and bend. His mouth is a feature that I’m sure I’ll get very used to.
I let out a little laugh as he squeezes me tight and then he starts laughing until we’re both chuckling between kisses.
Yes, I know exactly what I got.
Not just the great love of my life, I got a perfect partner in crime.
Epilogue
“The Thief Queen?” Elwis asked as he lowers the book that Corallin had handed him. He turned, tossing it onto the desk. New binding, this was not the original. He couldn’t believe it; he had a copy.
“Indeed, she is back and returned to power,” Corallin said, folding her hands in front of her.
“This is a disturbing turn of events,” Elwis murmured. He had always feared this day would come. It was why he had set out to find the Thief Queen all those years ago on the rumor of her survival even a thousand years after her downfall. Instead, he had found Corallin so he couldn’t find it in himself to regret never finding Talyria Undying.
Still, it would have been better if he had managed to get his hands on the Thief Queen all those years ago and gotten her to work for him before she had gained any sort of power.
“How powerful is she?” he asked as he began pacing across his study. His eyes darted to the Highlander man who his daughter brought in, but the boy remained silent.
“It’s difficult to say, but I would advise against raising her ire before we know the full scope,” Corallin replied. “She asked me to join her ring of thieves, I think that I should make use of her offer. That way I can spy on her and report back her strength.”
