Page 67 of Night Wedding
My eyebrows rose in speculation. “If it’s with you, then I’m in,” I teased to lighten the moment before what I was sure was to be revealed as horrible.
She playfully swatted my arm. “I didn’t mean it like that.” Then her lips curled up. “Well, maybe later.”
Later couldn’t come fast enough.
Over the next several minutes, my mood shifted as Nova detailed what Diana had done. My blood raged, and I had to pace through the room. “How could she do that to me? That’s so wrong. Such a violation.” I stormed over to the door. “Where is she? I’ll kill her. Kill her!” I growled. “Trying to tear us apart.”
“Diego, come back, please,” Nova urged, extending her arm to me.
I rushed over to her. “Sorry. I’m just so—” My volatile emotions couldn’t be summed up in a few words. “—Ugh!”
That was far from eloquent but enough to express the frustration, just the tip of the boiling point of my rage.
“I get it, Diego. We all want her to pay for what’s she’s done. She’s on the run now. Lucas, Zoe, and others at the Network are searching for her. They’ll find her, eventually. And if not, at least she’s gone. She’d have to be a fool to return here, knowing she’ll be arrested.”
That’s true. Diana wasn’t reckless. Taking care of herself was her number one priority.
“I should have been strong enough to resist the spell or potion.” I snapped and raised my fist. “Or whatever she did to control me.”
“That would be almost impossible, Diego,” Nova said. “The magic that controlled you—that was very advanced. Unlike anything I’d ever seen.” She inclined her head. “Do you think she has that ability to do so on her own?”
“No.” I snorted. “Diana wouldn’t bother to learn anything that difficult. She’d get somebody else to do her dirty work for her.”
Nova’s expression turned grim. “That means we could have someone misusing magic.” She rubbed between her brows. “I’m not searching for anyone tonight, though.”
“Of course not. You need to rest.”
She traced her fingers over my cheek and down my jawline. “I’m just happy that we’re together again.”
I bent down and kissed her on the lips. Magical tingles spread through me. “Always.” When I pulled back, I lifted her hand and stared at the engagement ring I’d given her. After I released it, I stared into her eyes. “I love you, Nova, and I always will. I understand if you’ve changed your mind about me.” After all, I’d gone off with my ex. Although it hadn’t been my choice, was it something Nova could forgive?
My spine hardened as I steeled myself for rejection but harbored hope. After all, Nova was a kind, loving soul, the opposite of my vindictive ex.
With a sheepish grin, I asked Nova, “Do you still want to marry me?”
Nova
“Oh, Diego.” I choked up and placed my hand on my heart. He looked at me with love again in his beautiful blue eyes, not with fierce contempt like he had while under Diana’s control.
“I know what I’ve done, even though I didn’t mean to do it.” His expression turned hard and grim. He turned his head to the side before returning his gaze to meet mine. His eyes now held a touch of vulnerability.
Could he really think I’d give up on him over something he had no control over?
Diego was back. Here he was in my place, in my arms. Whatever that hold Diana had over his mind was gone.
“Of course, I’ll marry you. I love you. And that will never change no matter who tries to get in between us.”
He exhaled with a loud whoosh and then embraced me on the couch once more. “I don’t want to wait another minute before I can call you my wife.”
I nodded, happy tears breaking from the corner of my eyes. “Yes, as soon as we can. I don’t need a big, fancy wedding. I don’t need anything but you.”
His lips quirked into a one-sided grin. “You already have me.”
The moment after I’d given him the potion played in my mind, that horrible flash when my world almost crumbled. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“No.” He kissed the back of my hand.
My lips trembled. “When I tried to break through the spell binding you, your expression turned blank. You didn’t respond to us. I thought I’d done even more damage.”
