“We’ll be married soon, so it makes sense that I know everything about my beautiful bride-to-be,” Angel teases, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Creepy, it is then.” I shriek when he pokes a finger into my stomach.
I love how he makes me feel giddy inside.
“You look ravishing, sweetheart. Good enough to eat.” He follows the compliment by biting my neck, then sucks softly to soothe the sting. I know it’s payback for earlier, but it doesn’t feel like a punishment to me.
Like he can’t stop himself, Angel kisses my cheek again before grabbing the dress. It takes us a minute to figure it out, but we realize it’s not a dress at all.
I’m awestruck. Grace clearly kept my comfort zone and preferences in mind while designing this.
The lavender silk jumpsuit is adorned with beautiful, handmade gold embroidery. The patterns match Angel’s jacket, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
I love that we’re wearing the same color.
Before I can second-guess the deep V neckline, Angel drapes a long cape over my shoulders and fastens it between my collarbones.
The cape flows gently over my shoulders and arms, covering both the deep neckline and the scars on my skin.
It’s perfect. I can’t wait to see it trail behind me as I walk.
“We can ditch the cape if you want.”
“Not yet.”
No arguments, no coaxing. Angel simply pulls me into his arms and tells me to take all the time I need.
I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, combing theback of his head with my fingers. I watch my mate all but sway when I softly kiss his cheeks.
“Thank you, Angel. I appreciate everything you do for me.”
I love you.
That’s what I want to say. What I’ve been dying to say ever since I realized the warmth in my chest every time he smiles isn’t because of the mate bond but because of how much I love being the reason behind his happiness.
“It’s my privilege to care for you, sweetheart.”
Is there a right amount of time to wait before saying I love you? Of course, we’re soulmates, and we’ve both loved the idea of each other for years, but Fates, I would bury myself six feet under if he didn’t say it back.
I wish I had more alone time with my mate to figure it out, but Seiji is yelling at the top of his lungs that it’s time to leave. We’re meeting his parents first at the Famine Castle, so his excitement is justified… his whining, not so much.
I reluctantly pull away from Angel and lead us downstairs. Naturally, we get lost twice before he finally shows me the actual way out of this maze.
I pause by the main gates and take in everyone around me. No compliment could ever do justice to how stunning they all look.
Seiji is wearing a teal green suit with no undershirt. A brass-colored belt wraps his waist. It’s beautiful, like veins climbing across his torso and up to his left shoulder.
Grace looks like a true princess in a soft, arctic blue, willowy gown, complete with puffy princess sleeves and off-shoulder straps. Her bare shoulders do nothing to hide the deep red, almost purple hickeys right below her collarbone.
I bet it was Harvey’s idea. He’s obsessed with wanting the world to know Grace has finally found her mate.
Beside my Honeybunch stands Harvey in an all-black suit. My best friend hates anything flashy and has a bizarre aversion to color, but thankfully, he didn’t object to the shiny black stones embroidered into his jacket, which added a bit of flair.
When Angel said Harvey didn’t want to wait long to start his life with his mate, I told him Grace was just as smitten with my idiot best friend.
I’m sure I’ll be hearing wedding bells soon.
Hazel’s outfit is a surprise I didn’t expect. She looks flaming hot. Now I understand and completely support the hype around her armored corsets.
