Page 180 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

Everrine glared at us, shushing us with a look that only made us smile harder.

She stepped back and raised her hand as if to give a grand speech, but my eyes were glued to Samkiel. He looked so good. I loved how his jacket and cape curved and draped over his broad shoulders and muscled arms. Those powerful arms had carried me despite every cruel or harsh thing I had done. He lifted me when all I wanted to do was fall.

Samkiel smiled at me as if he could read my mind. This was love. This was what it felt like. What it was supposed to feel like. I finally understood why others would go to war for it and clash or rage at its demise. I knew if I lost him and his love, the universe would quake at the mention of my name.

“. . . now all who witness thee shall know the union is not to be forsaken.”

She spoke to the room, but only the three of them stood near us.

“Now,” she clasped her hands, “repeat after me.”

“By my blood, I am made. In sickness and in health, I am by your side. Sworn to you and no others, I am forever yours. My heart remains yours for eternity and after. Forever awaits, and from today onward, you and I will be one in heart, body, and mind. These words, this oath, are engraved on my soul.”

LAUGHTER FLOODED THE LARGE ROOM AS MISKA WAS SPUN FROM Reggie to Orym and back. Her smile almost touched her ears as she twirled, and I was sure mine matched. I grasped Reggie’s hands as Samkiel spun me toward him, Miska taking my spot. Another twirl, and we switched once more. I heard her say something about using the bathroom as the other two talked about food. I leaned in, back in my husband’s arms once more.

“What’s that face?” Samkiel asked, his finger flicking under my chin.

“This?” I scrunched my nose. “This is my happy face.”

“Ah. Do you wish to know a secret?”

I nodded.

He leaned down and whispered, “I’d sell the world to see it every day.”

I pulled back with a fake gasp. “The entire world?”

He nodded. “The entire thing.”

“That’s not very heroic of you.”

He shrugged with a smirk as he spun me. “I have my moments.”

A small laugh left my lips as I turned back to him, clasping his hand and leaning forward, fitting my body to his. I rested my head on his chest, one arm outstretched, my hand cradled in his as we danced to a slow piano melody. A light mist swirled around our feet. I wasn’t sure where it had come from, and I didn’t care.

“It was almost perfect,” I whispered. “I wish everyone else was here.”

I felt him stiffen as if he had been thinking the same. “Me as well.”

“Cameron would have already done something absolutely mischievous, Xavier at his side. I’m sure Logan and Neverra would have asked us to dance several times, Imogen would have several guards falling at her feet, and I’d make sure she didn’t go home alone.”

He rested his cheek on the top of my head as we continued our slow dance. “You know them so well.”

“I want another big ceremony when we’re all together again,” I asked, leaning back.

His eyes searched mine, but his smile didn’t reach them as he said, “Me too.”

“I won’t lie to you,” I said, my throat bobbing. “Never again, but at first, I truly believed there was no hope for them.”

“I know,” he whispered. “I could always see the deflection in your eyes when I spoke of them. I also know that you’d never say it out loud because of how much I love them.”

“I was wrong.”

His head reared back. “What?”

“Back at the prison when we found Logan. He didn’t respond when he saw me, so I brought you up top to see him. At first, I hated it because there was no reaction to you either, and I didn’t want to disappoint you. But when you turned to leave, and I swear on Gabby’s life, I swear I saw him blink. Just once.”

Samkiel didn’t say anything, but he slowed our dance.

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