Page 86 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

“Sophie.”

Lucian’s voice reaches me through the roaring in my ears. Quiet. Steady.

I stare blindly ahead. His shoulder brushes mine.

“Sophie.”

Slowly, I raise my eyes. His expression hasn’t changed. There’s no hint of alarm or frustration. Instead, he’s unwaveringly focused on me.

“Breathe.”

I try.

He changes his grip.

For a second, I don’t understand what he has done. Then I realize his fingers are no longer closed around mine. His hand is beneath my palm.

If I need to pull away, he will let me go.

The sudden panic slowly begins to dissipate.

“Watch me.” Lucian draws a breath.

Subconsciously I copy him.

Moments later, air reaches my lungs.

“Again.”

Together, we each take another breath.

I squeeze my eyes shut, and when I open them again, the lights begin to sharpen.

Even though my heart is still racing, I can feel the floor beneath my feet.

“That’s my good girl.”

His voice is so low I barely hear it, but the approval in his tone steadies me.

Instinctively I curl my fingers around his. The movement is tiny. His eyes darken.

Celeste waits. No one rushes me. Finally she looks directly at me. “Sophie. Do you come here of your own free will to enter this marriage?”

There are those words again.

I draw one more breath. Then lift my chin. “Yes.”

Even though the word is barely above a whisper, and it’s the biggest lie I’ve ever told, I said it aloud.

Celeste returns to the vows.

Caleb takes my hand. “Sophie Langford, on my life, I will protect you. I will stand beside you. And whatever comes, you will never face it alone.”

Emotion catches unexpectedly in my throat. The words are absolute, perfectly Caleb.

He slides a platinum band onto my finger.

Then Lucian takes my hand. His gaze locks with mine.