Page 92 of Bound By Blood

Zack put his arm around her waist and gave her a squeeze. “I don’t want to come between you and your family, Katy. I won’t make you choose.”

She looked up at him, her gaze searching his as she tried to hold back her tears. And failed. “What are you saying?”

“I withdraw my proposal.”

“Enough!” Elena moved to stand in front of her husband, more angry with him than she had ever been in her life. “Are you happy now? Look at your daughter’s face. She loves him, Drake. And he loves her. Have you forgotten how that feels? How you would have done anything to be with the one you loved?”

“Elena …”

“Don’t ‘Elena’ me. You went against your father and your people to marry me, remember? Everyone thought it was a terrible idea, but you didn’t listen to them. You even changed your laws. And now you’re acting just like your father!”

As always, when he wanted to silence her, Drake did the only thing that worked. He took her in his arms and kissed her.

“Not this time,” Elena said, pushing him away. “Our daughter’s happiness is on the line. What are you going to do about it?”

Drake looked over Elena’s head to where Kaitlyn stood beside Zack. “You love him?”

Kaitlyn nodded.

Drake turned his gaze on Zack. “And you love her?”

“You know I do.”

Drake blew out a sigh of resignation. “All right,” he said with as much good grace as he could muster. “I know when I am outnumbered.”

“Thank you, Dad!” Kaitlyn hurled herself into her father’s arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Drake slid his arm around Kaitlyn’s waist. “Just one thing. Whatever plans you have already made or hope to make will have to wait until Nadiya is no longer a threat.”

Kaitlyn went into Zack’s arms as soon as her mom and dad left the room. “You didn’t really change your mind about marrying me, did you? I mean, it was just a bluff. Wasn’t it?”

“What do you think?”

Canting her head to one side, she looked up at him through the veil of her lashes. “I’m not sure,” she said with a teasing grin. “I guess you’ll just have to propose again.”

“Is that right?” In a single fluid move, he dropped down on one knee. “Kaitlyn Liliana Sherrad, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

She would have thought he was teasing except for the serious expression on his face, the intensity that blazed in the depths of his eyes. “Yes, Zack, I will.”

Rising to his feet, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. It was a kiss like no other he had ever given her—achingly tender and sweet, a kiss of commitment meant to bind two hearts and two souls together. Forever.

There were tears in her eyes when he broke the kiss.

“I love you, Katy, with all my heart. I’ll do my best to make you happy.”

“I am happy,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Happier than I’ve ever been in my whole life.”

“And I intend to see that you stay that way.”Or die trying.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Elena sat on Drake’s lap. She tried to pretend she was calm, but her voice betrayed her.

“When?” she asked tremulously. “When are we leaving for the Fortress?”

“Weare not leaving,” he said, kissing her cheek. “I am leaving. You will stay here with Zack and Kaitlyn.”

“No!” She slid off his lap, then whirled around to face him, her hands fisted on her hips. “I am not staying behind!”

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