Wilder pulls back. “Now?”
“One day,” I clarify. “I want to spend forever with you. I want to share all my secrets, bear your burdens, and have you like this always.”
Wilder swallows hard, his expression unreadable.
Is he not ready for this? It’s only been a year. Am I pushing too fast? Is it because I’m the queen?
The fabric of my skirt crinkles as his hand closes around it, bunching it higher. His fingers follow, inching upward, stealing the air from my lungs. I wet my lips, waiting for the next move.
“Ask me again,” he demands in a whisper.
“Hmm,” I breathe, the sound escaping as his fingers find my most sensitive spot.
He applies the perfect pressure above my panties before slipping beneath, confirming I’m drenched and ready. My eyes flutter closed, overwhelmed. His tongue demands entry, and I meet him with desperate starvation, kissing him back, only to whimper in protest as he pulls away.
“Say it again.”
“Marry me.”
He smiles, a wealth of promise in his expression. “I like you in silver, but I can’t wait to see you wear white.” He captures my lips in a slow, deep kiss while his fingers continue their relentless rhythm. He pushes me toward a place where nothing exists but the two of us, our love, and the promise of forever.
One Year and One Month Later
Play: “Crystal Clear” by Hayley Williams
Empty solo cups, colorful confetti, and plates of half-eaten cake clutter the loft. The warmth of the alcohol I consumed earlier lingers in my body, but it’s fading, leaving behind a pleasant buzz that battles the heaviness of sleep tugging at my eyelids. Wilder stands in the doorway, softly murmuring“Goodnight”to a wide-awake Desiree while I prop myself against the back of the couch for support. It’s late—or early, depending on how you look at it—with the sun about to rise over the horizon. Most of Borealis has been asleep for hours, but we had a reason to celebrate.
“I love you so much,” Desiree says to Wilder, her voice full of warmth.
Vane stands casually away, giving the siblings space, but the tension in his posture suggests he’s one goodbye away from throwing Desi over his shoulder and dragging her back to the Nest. It’s been a year since the vampire couple returned to Borealis after a tense interlude in Lua, marked by uncertainty when Vyvyan abdicated her throne to make Vane king. Yet now, they seem more solid than ever, their love thriving amid challenges. It’s inspiring.
“You’re going with Mom to Kratos on Thursday, right?” Wilder asks.
Desi quirks a brow. “I am?”
“Desi, you promised. I have work . . .”
But that’s the crux: Wilderalwayshas work, claiming he’s getting his affairs in order so that when we marry, he can leave the Blades in capable hands—Soter’s hands, who he insists isn’t ready to be commander despite months of training. I glance at the ring on my left hand, anxiety gnawing at me. He insists the only thing he wants is me, and I think he believes it for now, but what if it’s not true? What if he never feels ready to hand things over to Soter? What if he doesn’t want to? Ugh. But I can’t let those doubts creep in—Wilder is my person. I’m going to show him as much once everyone leaves. Wilder stifles another yawn, and I fold my arms. He’s not going to be sleeping any time soon.
“I’m kidding. I will go with Mom to see Dad.” Desi laughs.
“Desiree,” Vane chides, a single word conveying multiple meanings.
“Right, we should go before the sun’s up.” Desi throws her arms around Wilder’s shoulders. “Happy birthday to us, little brother.”
“Considering you stopped aging, aren’t I technically the older twin?” Wilder teases.
Desi frowns. “Even when you’re old and gray, you’ll still be my baby brother.”
“Bye, sweetness,” Vane calls to me.
“Thanks for coming!” I reply.
Wilder closes the front door and exhales loudly, leaning his forehead against it. The sound is ragged. We’re both exhausted. He’s been busy with the Blades while running the country has consumed me. Since we’re so busy, Gianna, who is my maid of honor, has been planning our wedding. While it’s a bit over-the-top with a guest list that requires an entire Rolodex, her excitement is contagious.
“Happy birthday,” I murmur.
Wilder slowly turns toward me. We stare at one another across the room, and my heartbeats quicken. Today isn’t just his birthday. It’s also the anniversary of my father and brother’s deaths. It feels kind of wrong to celebrate on such a day.
