Page 53 of Devoted
“I won’t deny it,” I reply, attempting to keep some details to myself. Ezekiel doesn’t need to know how I’ve fallen madly in love with Alek’s younger sister.
He shakes his head at me. “I don’t believe you could deny it after that Neanderthal display, Knight.”
“I didn’t know it was you. I thought you were some random man, and I only wanted to know that she was okay.” And I wanted to fucking punch his face in, but I don’t say that part.
“I will support you in the path you choose to take with Vivian, Knight, but I cannot stand by your attitude as of late. I understand that becoming attached to someone after what’s happened to you may be difficult.” His words cut into me—always so precise, my cousin. “But it is no excuse to treat the Delgados the way you’ve been treating them lately. They are family, and they soon will be in name, as well,” Ezekiel lectures and stares me down.
“You’re proposing?” I ask once my brain has caught up. At this moment, I feel something softening within me. My cousin, the only friend and confidant I’ve had for all my life, has found true happiness, and I am here almost ruining the moment for him with my shitty behavior.
“Yes, Vivian and I were in the room going over last-minute details of my proposal. She even assisted me in choosing a ring for Alek.” Ezekiel reaches into his coat, taking out a wine-colored box.
Staring at the box brings back memories of my failed marriages, but I can’t find the usual bitter and resentful feelings that surface when I think about marriage. I only feel happiness for my cousin and my friend—two people who should not work on paper but are perfect for each other.
“You deserve this happiness, Ezekiel,” I comment before reaching toward my cousin and squeezing him into a hug. As he hugs me back, I murmur, “I am sorry, and I will figure this all out, cousin. I ask that you keep it between us for now, please.”
Ezekiel hugs me back tightly, his hand flat against my back as he pats me reassuringly. He’s one of the only people in the world who knows what lies there under the layers of clothing.
“Please figure it out soon. You know I cannot keep a secret from Alek for long. He will wrestle me until I tell him,” Ezekiel pleads, true concern in his voice at the torture tactic. Knowing Alek and how playful he can be, I completely believe it. A laugh escapes me, mixing in with Ezekiel’s laugh as we stay embraced.
We release each other after a few more seconds when we hear the sound of the bathroom door in the guest room opening and Vivian calling for Ezekiel.
“Thank you, Knight. Please know that you can come to me for anything,” he reassures, tucking the ring back into his pocket.
“Same and always, Ezekiel.”
My interaction with my cousin has me thinking. Maybe this can work out, maybe I can be the man Vivian deserves, and maybe I can let myself be loved.
My feet lead me to the patio, and I take the steps down toward Harriett’s garden as an idea of a plan begins to form.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
KNIGHT
“But he who dares not grasp the thorn,
Should never crave the rose.” Anne Brontë
Blood continues to bead on my finger from the thorny rose I picked for Vivian in the garden. I searched for ten minutes to find one matching the shade of her dress perfectly. Using my bare fingers, I removed every thorn to make the flower safe for her. And when I noticed my blood descending the stem, I dripped a few drops onto the pedals for good measure.
The bloodied rose now sits in my jacket pocket as I wait outside, surrounded by friends and family, all here to witness Ezekiel’s proposal. Vivian steps onto the balcony alongside Alek, nearly empty glasses of champagne in either of their hands.
As the proposal starts, Vivian comes to stand by me, and I quickly relieve her hands of the champagne flutes, setting them down on a small table behind us. The little smile I get from her as a thank you makes my entire week. The kind of emptiness I’ve felt being away from her these past few weeks is something I never want to experience again.
Finally up close, I can properly admire the way her dress hugs every curve and accentuates the golden glow of her skin. My ears might be full of Ezekiel’s beautiful words, but my eyes cannot tear away from Vivian as he speaks them. I’m astounded at how similarly, yet so very differently, we’ve managed to find our loves.
“One might think I’m insane for falling so quickly.” Ezekiel laughs, and it resonates within me. My obsession with Vivian started the moment I saw her, and my love for her feels as certain as death.
“Nothing in my life has felt as correct and logical as us being together,” Ezekiel continues, and it’s like he’s articulating the words I’ve been too afraid to speak. Vivian must feel the accuracy of his words, too, as her arms shiver and eyes fill with tears. My love turns toward me, and I watch as a tear slips from her eye.
Taking off my jacket, I move to stand behind her and I drape it over her shoulders while Ezekiel continues his speech. While everyone is still distracted, I lift the back of the jacket so I can sneak my hands beneath. My wandering hands remain hidden underneath the jacket that drowns her smaller frame. I guide her hand to the pocket containing the rose and let go once I feel she has wrapped her fingers around the flower, choosing to rest my hand on her waist instead.
She scrunches her eyebrow in confusion before turning her full attention to the object in her hand. Her fingers run through the crimson liquid still adorning the rose, not ceasing to rub it between her fingers even after letting out a small gasp when she realizes it’s my blood. Looking over her shoulder, she stares at me in an expression of wonder and lust, eyes open and pupils dilated in response to the little gift I’ve given her.
“If you’ll have me, thorns and all,” I lean forward and whisper into her hair during a very loud cheer from our friends andfamily once Alek says “yes.” Squeezing her hip, I back away from the stolen moment.
A blood oath to my queen.
My bleeding hand leaves a trail of blood on her fingers as I back away from her, and we move to join our family at the center of the balcony.
