Page 159 of The Book Reader
I can’t help but think about what my life would have been like if I hadn’t been given this gift. It would have been short, and for both Gaelan and me, it would have been so painful. Killing Macy has given me a new look at life. Don’t fuck with anyone whom I love. You do, and I will end your existence. I was given these powers for balance, but the prophecy says I decide which way to go. For now, that is my way only.
A week or so after killing her, we had a few attacks in Illis, but seeing my powers at full strength, they knew to never come back.
Tate hasn’t even come to avenge his daughter. Yet. I have a feeling he is coming.
I hear another loud crash coming from downstairs, breaking into my thoughts, followed by some swearing that makes me laugh. Gaelan said he was cooking grilled cheese sandwiches. I worry he is trying to add some extra cheese or something. It sounds like it’s more than a sandwich.
Placing my shoes on, I turn and run my eyes over our bedroom here, it's white with hints of blue and gold, a large bed in the middle covered in thick warm blankets, and so many pillows I can’t count them. The ceiling of the bedroom is covered in tiny fairy lights, just like my bedroom topside. “He really has made it so perfect,” I whispered to myself, stunned.
Turning, I walk out of the bedroom and head down into the living room. I pause and bite my bottom lip to stop myself from laughing.
Gaelan is standing in the kitchen holding a tray of bread; he has flour all over him, and his jet black hair looks like it is peppered with grey hairs. He has a red liquid, mixed with a thick, cream-like substance, running down his apron. He picks up a pan, only to drop it. “Fuck!” he yells at it. It topples on the stove. I lift my hand and freeze it in place before it crashes to the floor. Gealan’s head shoots up, his eyes are surprised, and his cheeks turn a little pink.
“Do you need me to help you?”I ask him as I walk over.
“No, it’s ready, go sit down, my Rose.” His voice is slightly out of breath. I nod slowly. My hands are fists, and the pan settles on the stove. I release my power, then walk into the dining room. My stomach growls at the table so full of food.
“Did you cook all of this?” I say slightly disbelieving, a little in shock.
“I did,” he says, sounding so proud as he walks into the room and places the breadbasket down. He has also changed into a black shirt with the top open and a pair of black pants. I’m unable to tear my eyes away from my handsome mate. My eyes run up his body, and he winks at me before pointing to the table. “Lobster and steak with rice and salad, sticky toffee pudding for dessert,” he beams.
“It looks delicious. Did you really cook all of this?” I look at him, trying not to sound doubtful, but after the last time he cooked, it didn’t end well.
Gaelan laughs, then takes my hand and leads me to sit down. “Yes, my Rose, I had some lessons,” he says, kissing my cheek. “I wanted this weekend to be special.” He says, taking his seat. “I will have to confess, I only learnt two dinners to cook,” he chuckles.
“Two is perfect,” my voice filled with so much happiness.
We eat dinner, chatting about all we have been through. I learned a little more about his family, and he shared more about his life without me. We laughed until tears ran down our cheeks. I was in shock for most of it that Gaelan managed to make this dinner without burning the cabin down.
“Would you like to live here? Or the castle, my Rose?” Interest hard in his voice, I place my fork down and then take a sip of some Black laced Champagne.
“I get to choose?” Unable to hide the shock in my voice. “I thought the castle was your home, the heart of Illis?”
“It is my Rose, but I am just a shimmer away if they need me. I will have to go to the castle most days; it will be like what men do topside,” he grins. “I will go to the office,” he chuckles, then reaches for my hand. “You have built homes and shops in Westery; soon your lands will be filled with daemons. Here,” he looks toward the window, his voice sounding distant. “It will be quiet and just us.”
“If you want me all to yourself, Gaelan, you only have to say,” I say playfully. He turns back to me with an intense look.
“I do, I want you all to myself.” his voice has an edge to it, almost like nerves. He reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a small box. My mouth gapes open, and I cover it with my hand in shock as he goes to his knee. He looks up at me with all the love swirling in his eyes and opens the box. “I have waiteda thousand lifetimes for you. For the day when evil wouldn’t be trying to end us, to rip you from my heart, that day happened a month ago. I have loved you in all your lives, and I love you even more in this one.” I can feel tears running down my cheeks; his voice trembles slightly with emotion. “It’s been a long road, each step you have been by my side. Testing me,” he gives me a pointed look and then winks, making me laugh through my tears. “You bring out the best in me, and I know that I am always lost without you. We are mates, so you can’t get rid of me that easily,” he chuckles. “But the gods below and above would know how much of an honor it would be if you would marry me.” He takes the ring out of the box. I make a weird choking sound. My mother’s engagement ring is between his fingers. The diamond, a large princess cut, is surrounded by smaller, differently colored diamonds. The ring is made of white gold. “Arianna Alice Jay, will you marry me?”
I burst into tears of joy and nod my head fast before I fall into his lap and crash my lips to his, kissing him hard and deep. He wraps his arms around me and kisses me hard on the back. I can feel his love running over my body, making me whimper. We stay like this for a little while before he breaks the kiss and grins down at me. “Is that a yes?” He asks.
“Yes!Yes!” I yell through my tears, lift my left hand, and he places the ring on my finger; it fits perfectly. I hold it up to get a better look and smile at how beautiful it looks. “How did you get this?”
“It was on my desk in my office the other day,” he says, shifting me to sit on his lap, then takes my hand. “I was wondering what kind of ring to get you. I was looking everywhere for something so perfect, then this was just there.” The confusion in his voice makes me smile.
“It’s from my mom,” I say, knowing it deep down. “She always promised me that when the time came for me to marry,this would be the ring I would be given; it’s been handed down from daughter to daughter, from daemon witch. Only the matriarchs in the family get to wear it,” there’s pride in my voice as I speak. “As I am the last, that would be me,” my voice downcast.
“For now, my Rose,” Gaelan says confidently, making me smile at him. He moves us, so I am cradled in his arms, and then shimmers us to a fluffy blanket in the living room. He reaches for his shirt and rips it open, baring the mating mark that covers his chest.
“If we cut the vines, it will make it so we can get pregnant,” he tells me, reaching for my hand and placing it on his chest. “You only have to say the words, my Rose.”
I look into his eyes for a moment and then nod my head, “cut them baby”
It’s been a dream to have a family of our own, now I want it even more with this perfect man.
His smile is the one I first saw in each life that made me fall for him, with dimples and a devilish mix. He presses his hand on top of mine and whispers, “Aggie.”
I can feel my chest burning, and a burn coming from his chest under my hand. When I pull my hand back, I see only a slight change in the mark; the dragon and roses are still there, twisted around each other, but the vines have small breaks in them.
