Page 85 of A Game of Love and Betrayal

Holding Brynleigh’s gaze, Ryker reached out and took his vampire’s hand in his. She hitched a breath at the contact, this touch as powerful as their first. Sparks coursed through him, and her fingers curled against his.

Once again, he marveled at the softness of her flesh. Her long, slender fingers fit perfectly within his hand. His thumb rubbed slow circles against her as he drew her closer.

When there was a mere foot between them, the corner of his lips twitched upwards. “You’re beautiful.” His hushed words were meant for her ears only.

Her red lips slanted up, giving him another peek of fang. She blushed, her cheeks turning a dusty rose that accented her beauty.

He would endeavor to make her blush every day.

“Thank you, Ry,” she murmured. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

The way her lips formed his name would forever be seared on his heart. He yearned to hear her say it a thousand times over, and he would cherish each instance.

His thumb swept across the back of her hand. “Ready, sweetheart?”

She drew in a deep breath and dipped her head. “It feels like I’ve been waiting for years for this moment.”

In a way, so had he. When he’d agreed to enter the Choosing, Ryker had never imagined it would feel like this. So perfect. So right.

His entire body was on edge as Brynleigh stepped back and withdrew her hand from his. He let her go, his gaze glued to her willowy movements as she reached for the black silk strands securing the mask to her face.

His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes focused solely on the pull of her fingers. She tugged, and the silk knot behind her head came loose. The mask tumbled to the floor like an autumnal leaf.

Brynleigh was stunning. Beautiful in an unusual way that spoke to the deepest parts of him. Wide black eyes met his. Her cheekbones were strong. Her red lips were plump and kissable. She was everything he’d ever dreamed of, and yet, nothing like he’d ever imagined.

It took everything he had not to surge forward and wrap her in his arms.

Holding her gaze, his fingers rose and found the ribbons of his mask. He undid the knot and let the mask go.

His hands dropped, and his heart hammered as her gaze swept over his face. He would give anything for the ability to read minds right now. He wanted to know each of her thoughts.

After what felt like an eternity, Brynleigh stepped towards him. She reached up, her fingers grazing his cheek. “You’re real,” she murmured as if she couldn’t believe it. “I’m touching you.”

He felt the same way. This was like a dream.

Over the past six weeks, he’d learned to interpret every influx of Brynleigh’s voice, every hitch of her breath, and every laugh. They’d shared some of their deepest secrets, talked about everything and nothing, and played chess for hours, and he was finally putting a face to the person behind it all.

And this was more than he’d ever imagined.

Seeing Brynleigh for the first time was like having lived his life in darkness and then stepping into the sunshine. Their connection was deep, powerful, overwhelming, and right.

“I’m real.” Capturing her hand in his, he brought it to his mouth and grazed a feather-light kiss over her knuckles. “So are you.”

Brynleigh sucked in a breath, and her wings flared out behind her. Someone in the crowd murmured, but he couldn’t make out their words over the slamming of his heart against his ribs.

Threading their fingers together, Ryker held Brynleigh’s hand as he dropped to one knee. The floor was cold beneath him, but the temperature didn’t bother him.

Her mouth opened, and her tongue flicked against her bottom lip, wetting it.

Ryker reached into his suit pocket and closed his fingers around the black velvet box he’d tucked in there earlier. He drew it out slowly, prolonging the moment.

Silence enveloped the ballroom. It was so quiet that every sound, every hitched breath, was amplified a hundred times over. Nerves were tiny butterflies dancing in his stomach, and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

Ryker had practiced what he would say, but now the words didn’t seem like enough. What if she said no? What if he was about to make a fool of himself?

His lungs squeezed, and for a moment, he thought he would pass out. Black spots appeared before his eyes, and he struggled to breathe. Right now, he wasn’t a military captain or a powerful fae. He was a man hoping the woman he loved would accept his proposal.

Brynleigh gripped his hand, and her mouth curved up. It’s okay, she seemed to be telling him. We’re in this together.

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