Page 80 of Mane Squeeze
“You alright?” he asked.
She nodded, smiling. “I cried over a dress.”
“Good tears or ‘cancel everything, I’m running away to live with the crows’ tears?”
“Good ones.” She reached for him, and he stepped in without hesitation, wrapping her up in his arms.
They stood like that a while. Her head tucked beneath his chin. His heart steady against her cheek.
“I never thought I’d get this,” she murmured.
“This?” he asked, voice rough.
“A tomorrow that wasn’t about surviving.” She met his eyes. “Now it’s about choosing.”
He ran his thumb along her jaw. “Then keep choosing me.”
“I do.”
He grinned. “Not yet you don’t.”
She snorted. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Kane.”
“Too late,” he murmured, kissing her forehead. “Way too late.”
Back at the cottage that night, she couldn’t stop touching the dress bag as it sat propped in the corner of their room like a promise. Dominic lit the fire, and she curled up beside him on the couch with one of their mismatched mugs and an enchanted blanket that hummed lullabies.
“You sure you’re ready for the chaos?” she asked.
He grunted. “I’ve already survived Twyla’s seating chart interrogation. I can do anything.”
She smiled. “Some of the town still can’t believe you’re serious.”
“They’re in denial,” he said. “Especially Hazel.”
“Oh, Hazel’s placing bets.”
“On what?”
“When you’ll mark me.”
He stiffened, then glanced at her. “You know I’m waiting.”
“I know. And I’m glad.” She touched his chest, where her rune still pulsed faintly. “You didn’t have to wait. But you wanted to.”
“Felt right,” he said simply. “I was always the guy who didn’t think things through. But with you? I don’t want to skip any part.”
She smiled, brushing a kiss to his shoulder.
“Shadow queen, huh?” he teased, tugging her closer.
She laughed against his collarbone. “Don’t tell Madrine she’s catching on.”
“I like it,” he murmured. “Queen of my damn heart.”
And as the fire crackled and the moonlight streamed through the curtains, Lillith felt it again—that impossible, quiet thing.
Peace. Wrapped in warmth and woven with love.
