Page 133 of Betrothed

“Isn’t love enough?”

His joyful expression slowly faded. “I do love you.”

“And I love you. What if the Ghost returns?”

He placed his finger across my lips. “Don’t. We’ll handle Mikhail or anyone else attempting to destroy what we’ve built together. Just breathe and have a little faith.”

“Don’t worry. I have complete faith in you.”

“Then what about that trust?” His grin returned.

I rolled my eyes before closing them. “Okay, fine. But if you do anything horrible…”

“Watch that mouth of yours.” We both laughed as he guided me from the room. I had no idea where he was taking me, but I did trust him. With my life. With my sanity.

And with my heart.

When he finally stopped, I sensed he was opening a door. In taking my hand, our fingers were electrified and I tingled all over.

We took a few steps together and he pulled his hand away. “You can look now.”

As I slowly opened my eyes, a gasp flew past my lips. Positioned in the middle of the room was a beautiful grand piano, the ebony surface glistening in the strings of sunlight.

“I wanted you to be able to play music when you wanted and just for yourself. Not because you’re required to.”

There’d been beautiful gifts I’d received in my life, but none so incredible as him realizing what I needed in my heart and soul.

Besides him and his strong arms.

And chiseled body.

And soft lips.

When I said nothing, he sighed. “Do you like it?”

Very slowly, I turned my head, nodding. “I love it. But not as much as I love you.”

As I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him close, the shadow of who and what we were was still there. Yet with the golden light streaming in through the window, I could more clearly see a future. Our future.

One I couldn’t wait to face.

Maybe love couldn’t conquer all evils, but in our world, it would be our strength.

The rest would figure itself out.

The End