Page 94 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“Was He?”

“Yeah.” I tighten my grip, easing his glove off. As it comes free in my hand, I rest my head against his shoulder, beside where it seems his cuff links pulled back to adorn the poofy sleeves. Setting his glove down beside me, I touch our fingertips together, feel his intake of breath. “Your nails are really long.”

“It hurts to cut them.”

“Is that why your hair’s so long, too?”

Quietly, he says, “Yes.”

“Am I hurting you right now?”

“Not in any ways I would stop.”

I arch a brow at him.

Hand shaking, he places my palm over his chest, where the erratic beat of his heart thunders. “Around you, this is a beast I can barely contain within the cage of my ribs.”

My tiny little bird of a heart flits its clipped wings. “You…may marry me.”

Red fills his cheeks. “What an interesting way to word that.”

“I said what I said. I’ll marry you later, when I trust you enough to make me fae.” I sniff. “Take it or leave it. I’m a busy lass. Men are lined up out the door for this opportunity, I assure you. Might have to fight some of them off.”

He touches a kiss to my forehead. “You want this to happen while I’m in the maid un—”

“Obviously. Don’t be an idiot.”

“Right.” He sighs and swipes his gloveless thumb across the backs of my knuckles. His heart tumbles around, so aimlessly, beneath my hand. “Zahra Stellato, I promise myself to you throughout the ages of our lives, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in joy or anger. I promise to love you, and when, one day, you have become fully fae, I pledge myself into your starlit hands. You have my trust, my adoration, me, in any capacity that suits you.” Lifting my fingers to his lips,he chuckles. “Even if what suits you puts me in more frills. My feelings for you are boundless. Keep me near, and I will protect you unto my own demise.”

Yikes. “Isn’t that a little extreme?” I ask.

“No.”

“Is it a thinly-veiled ultimatum? Ihaveto keep you near, for my own safety?”

He rests his head against mine and snuggles. “Lucky for you, I can be pocket-size.”

Lucky for me indeed…

Despite myself, I smile. “I guess you’re my husband now.”

“Yep.”

“Even though I’m not your wife.”

“Correct.”

“That means I can do whatever I want to you, but you’re not allowed to misbehave with me.”

His throat clears. “Maybe…don’t phrase it like that…but yes. I’m yours. To have and to hold. However you like.”

“In a maid uniform. Notable detail.” I pull my hand away from the stampede of his heart and smooth his skirt frills. Then, oh so carefully, I melt around him in a hug.

“Zah—”

“Shut up,” I whisper as tears threaten to overflow. Crushing him around the chest, I battle the tempest inside.

He knows the truth.

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