Page 106 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

That was his mistake.

I had no knife, but I curled my hand into a fist, thumb wrapped carefully around the outside – just like I’d been taught. I’d learned quite a few lessons during my time in the city.

As my fist connected with Stefan’s nose there was a disturbing crunching noise, and I felt the warm cascade of his blood running over my knuckles.

Stefan made a sound that was something like a whimpering dog and stumbled backwards.

“My nose,” he cried thickly, his hands cupping his bleeding face. “You’ve broken my nose!”

“That,” I said, “was for Lila. And for Lottie, and for every other woman who has been mistreated by terrible men like you.”

Stefan looked torn for an instant, and I braced myself, but then, with a noise of disgust, he turned and lumbered off into the shadows, still clutching his face.

There was a moment of silence.

“I’m sorry about that,” I said, turning to Nick. “I really should have let you be the one to thump him.”

The grin that spread across Nick’s face was the one I knew he saved for me, the one I wanted to see every day for the rest of my life.

“No need for me to get my hands dirty, my love,” he said, taking my own fingers gingerly in his.

I grimaced. Not only was my hand spattered in Stefan’s blood, but I could tell that my knuckles were going to be horribly bruised.

“Here,” Nick said. “Sit down.”

I sat on the step and he pulled off his jacket, dropping it around my shoulders. Then he grabbed the ice bucket.

“Drink this,” he said, holding out the champagne. I took it in my good hand and swigged, straight from the bottle. The silver bubbles slid down my throat.

Next, Nick removed his waistcoat.

I raised my eyebrows. “I don’t think that is quite the public display of our affections your grandmother had in mind,” I said. Still, my eyes lingered on the fine white linen of his shirt.

Nick tutted. “Try to keep your mind from the gutter, Iris.” He picked some of the ice from the ice bucket and wrapped it carefully in his waistcoat, then he held the bundle gently to my swollen knuckles.

“Oooh.” I winced. “That is going to leave a mark.”

“My poor little prize fighter,” Nick murmured, coming to rest his arm around my shoulders. I slumped back against him in relief.

“That was quite the adventure,” I said.

“It was. I’m looking forward to this dull life you promised me.”

“I’m in love with you too, by the way,” I said. “In case you didn’t already know it.”

“Hopelessly?” Nick smiled.

“Actually, I’m feeling quite hopeful.” I wiggled my fingers. “We slayed a lot of dragons together, you and I. What do you think happens next?” I twisted to look up at him.

His blue eyes shone in the moonlight. The sound of the party faded in the background as I stared at him. His mouth curled at the corner.

“Well, I’m no expert,” he murmured, “but I think this is the part where we live happily ever after.”

And then he kissed me.