Bound Partners.
She was his, and he was hers.
Forever.
Epilogue
Seven years later
“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” Marius’s voice came from behind Vivienne, his hands wrapping around her waist as he held her to him. His familiar warmth pressed against her back, and she hummed, letting her head fall against his shoulders.
“I know,” she murmured. “But I want to.”
She was excited about this. Although this commitment wasn’t truly necessary since they were already Bound, she wanted to do it.
She just hadn’t expected to wake up with tears in her eyes.
His thumb traveled along her stomach, tracing mindless patterns over her silk nightgown. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Her gaze returned to the white, lacy dress hanging from the top of their wardrobe. The tailored gown was beautiful. Form hugging, but not too tight. The back was low, almost non-existent. Perfect for her wings. It was everything she’d hoped it would be.
“I just wish my mother were here. She would’ve loved this.” Vivienneturned and gazed up into her prince’s handsome face. “She would’ve lovedyou. They both would’ve.”
Her parents would’ve seen Marius for the great man he was.
Over the past seven years, she’d traveled across the Four Kingdoms with her Bound Partner, and she’d seen the many different sides of him. The way his eyes crinkled when he laughed. The way he tapped his hand on his thigh when he was intrigued. The flush of his cheeks when he got angry or flustered.
Every side of him only made her love him more.
That was why, when Marius had asked her to marry him a year ago on the anniversary of their Binding, she’d agreed without a second thought.
Their love had been fragile and fresh when they’d first been Bound, but that was no longer the case. It had strengthened over time, and now, it was as unbreakable as the magic tying them together.
Marius kissed her softly, his lips brushing over hers. “I’m sure they’re watching over us now, right beside my parents.”
She leaned against him.
“Do you think they’re proud of us?” she whispered.
His finger went beneath her chin, and he tilted her head slowly until she met his gaze. “Without a doubt, Viv.”
Tension melted from her shoulders as he gazed upon her tenderly. She would never fully understand how she’d ended up being so blessed.
“You know, I’m the worst bodyguard there ever was,” she murmured, turning around in his arms.
His brown eyes widened. “No?—”
She chuckled, raising her marked hand and placing her index finger on his lips, silencing him.
“I am, and it’s okay.” Her chest warmed at the sight of those beautiful black markings of their Binding. They would never fade, a permanentreminder of the magic that tied them together. “I might have failed as a bodyguard, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be a good wife.”
His lips tilted up. “You’re going to be an amazing wife,” he murmured, kissing the pad of her finger. “The best one I’ve ever had.”
“The only one you’ll ever have,” she reminded him.
“Exactly. That’s what I said.” His hands fell to her hips, and he bent his head. He kissed her long and hard, his tongue sweeping through her mouth.
“I can’t wait until you’re my wife, Vivienne,” he said against her lips. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”
