Page 114 of A Debt of Darkness

I need it too.

My choice is binary and either I’m sure enough to take the path ahead or I should turn back now. There’s no room for doubt and less for hesitation. I need to be the girl in the mirror and I smile, finally certain she’s me.

“You’ll walk me there?”

Ryan jerks his head back and his eyes flicker, almost flooding with tears.

“Ivy…”

“I wasn’t asking.” I tilt my head confidently and he exhales. “I’ll fall in these damn heels if you don’t.”

Ryan stares and the shadows holding him in their thrall lift, leaving him in his usual shades of dark. He offers me his hand and I hold mine out, meeting his gaze as we wait, millimeters apart.

“Only if you’re sure, Ivy.”

“I am.”

I slide my hand into his.

His fingers wrap around mine and Ryan smiles, relieved. He guides me out of the room and down the stairs, taking much more of my weight than strictly necessary. We’re not in a hurry and I doubt I could go much faster even if I wanted to and Ryan needs the time to collect himself.

“Would you have helped me do a runner from my fiancé?” I ask.

Ryan tips his head forward and laughs freely. “He’s not your fiancé anymore, Ivy—and without a second thought.”

We’re still laughing when the doors swing open and the silence of the grand hall tries to impose itself on us. Neither Ryan nor I care as we form a bond that’s evaded us for far too long. If today is about acceptance, then I’ve found mine: of Ryan as well as myself.

Henry waits and Ryan smirks.

“He’s getting restless,” Ryan says, flicking his eyes toward Henry.

I turn to face him, and his light blue eyes seem as bright as this morning, his dark blond hair as perfectly groomed, and his demeanor as unruffled as always. He’s standing in front of a small army of vampires, all eyeing me with intrigue, like a pack of wolves ready to attack.

“The coven can feel it, Ivy. He’s about to tear everyone to fucking shreds to get to you.”

The corners of my mouth curl into a smile as I take a small and very tentative step into the room. It’s bigger than I remember it being. More imposing. The ceiling is higher and the arches are more ornate. The decorations are more impressive than the ones when the priest bound us together and Henry’s made damn sure the room is full of peonies.

“Don’t. Fall. Over.” Ryan whispers as he tries to hold me steady.

“Not. That Helpful.” I say under my breath through gritted teeth.

Henry steps forward and his eyes are wilder, more consumed by the emotions raging through him. He’s tracking every movement, watching every muscle as if he’s readying himself to attack. His features are as feline as his stride and he walks with the grace of a panther stalking its prey.

One that’s holding a red velvet jewelry box.

He smiles and I smile back.

He’s certain and I’m nervous.

He’s confident and I’m far from it.

Ryan stops and I need to take the last few strides alone, and Henry’s eyes flick to the floor, showing me my mark. He doesn’t need to say anything and he made me rehearse this so I’d be ready. It’s different now. It’s not a meaningless performance. It’s a dance we’re doing with hundreds of eyes fixed on us, scrutinizing every goddamn move either of us makes.

Our gaze is locked and there’s no doubt, no uncertainty. Henry isn’t easy and he isn’t soft. He never flexes in the way I expect and he demands the impossible. But he’s steady when I’m unsure and if his love is a gale then I’d willingly be swept away in it.

I’m a fragile, delicate girl who refuses to break, and if he’s a force of nature then so I am. Henry has the strength to fight, to race toward whatever danger faces him and meet it head-on, unflinching. But I am just as brave. Just as fierce. And my courage is the quiet roar of bravery that demands complete openness and surrender.

I’ve covered the most ground and Henry waits; aware thenext step is still mine to take.

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