I want him to say it again.
God, what is wrong with me? I should be focused on terms and conditions, not the way his mouth shapes my name.
Focus, Chelsea.
“If you marry me today, you’ll have saved them.”
My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “Today?”
He lifts one shoulder. “Or you can wait.”
The consequence of waiting hangs in the air. Waiting means risking my family’s magic. Waiting means I could be the reason everything they’ve built collapses.
“Why me?” I ask.
He hesitates and it’s the first chink I’ve seen in his armor. “Why not you?” he says quietly.
“No. I need a real reason before I…decide.”
His jaw tightens. “Roses.”
And that’s all he says. But I feel his power, that cold undercurrent of magic unwinding from him and buzzing around me.
What’s so weird is that he doesn’t have to say more. I know what Eryx means—two powers colliding shouldn’t do what ours have done.
But they do.
And that almost makes me feel safe.
Almost.
What if marrying him means the shop survives? Thrives. Gives Dallas and Emory more time before they’re forced down the aisle?
I would give anything to have more time. This man could wind up being worse than my uncle Charlie.
“What are your terms?”
One corner of his lips turns up. He senses victory, so I do my best to keep my expression neutral.
“What terms would make you happy?” he asks.
His question makes me hold my breath. It’s a moment before I’m able to exhale and reply. “Howrealwill this marriage be?”
“As real as you want.”
Our gazes lock and I’m looking for something in his eyes—anything that suggests he’s lying, but I’ve got nothing. “How long will it last?”
“How long will it take for your family’s magic to survive?”
Good question. I nibble my bottom lip a moment, thinking this through. “I want a separate bedroom.”
“Done.” He folds his arms. “In my manor.”
My pulse jumps. The Nightmare District with all its darkness and cold, misty air. He eyes me like he’s waiting for me to balk. I lift my chin.
“Done.”
“How long would you like to be married?” he asks slowly as if he’s having to fight every single word.
