Page 141 of The Heart of a Villain

“I will.”

Pleasure nips at my skin at his admission, and then I see Mom walking toward us, winking at me, and Dad pushes me away. “Go.”

I take tentative steps backward, watching my parents, and in a way I say goodbye to life as I knew it and then blow them a big kiss that Mom catches and then blows her own.

Levi whistles above us on the balcony. “Love you, sis!”

“I love you too!” I shout back, and then gathering my skirts, I turn around and face Rush, who opens his arms wide again.

With all my might, I run to him and in seconds end up in his embrace, my legs wrapping around him while my laughter echoes in the night when he spins us around.

He stops, and I lace my fingers through his hair, our mouths meeting in a heated kiss that with each swipe of our tongues cements our relationship and love. It sends prickling sensations all over me, while the burning fire inside me grows, mingling with my absolute love for this man. “I love you, Rush.”

He grins, his emerald eyes clear of any burden as he kisses me once more, but he manages to whisper before it, “I love you too, Aileen.”

My villain became a prince worthy of the princess’s hand after all.

And nothing but endless bliss awaits us from here on out.

EPILOGUE

“Once upon a time, a villain corrupted a princess…

and she in turn captured his heart.

For eternity.”

Rush

Eight years later

Rush

The seagulls squawk in the sky while the blinding sun brightens up everything around us, casting shimmers on the endless and powerful ocean as the boat rocks from side to side.

Several people run around the deck, hectically pulling ropes along it and preparing their weapons in full force, while the captain straightens her back and adjusts the black eye patch on her face.

She grabs the scope hanging at her waist and then looks into it, a frown marring her features, and she gasps while the men freeze, waiting to hear what distressed her so much.

William’s drink pauses midway to his mouth while George stops reading his book, their attention also on the creature who is ready to dish out a command, if her stubborn expression is anything to go by.

She throws her head back, gulps for breath, and I chuckle when her piercing yell reverberates through the space. “Intruders on the horizon! Prepare!” The little five-year-old rushes to the other end of the deck, picks up her wooden sword, and orders, “Aim the weapons!”

The men jump into action, making an effort to play along with her little fantasy and standing by the wooden toy cannons that send foam balls flying across the ocean—that they’ll easily catch later so it doesn’t affect the underwater world.

She addresses the two old men. “You need to hide in the cabin. It might get bad out here.”

George bites his lip, barely holding back his laughter, but nods along.

She then pats William on his back and says, “Don’t worry, William. I will protect you both.” Her voice drops, her ocean-blue eyes narrowing. “I shall conquer that ship as well. After all, I’m the unstoppable Grace!” She finishes on a scream.

“Yeah, you are,” William cheers her on and then leans on his cane, walking slowly in the direction of the cabin. “I shall wait for you there, lady pirate.” He exhales heavily, wincing a little, and my instincts go on high alert, considering he suffered a heart attack just a year ago.

His body lying on the floor still gives me nightmares.

He notices my concern and shakes his head. “It’s all right,” he says and then resumes his trek, while George joins his husband, trailing after him with a little more speed, still quite active for a man his age.

Despite being their age, they show great health and still participate in most activities. They refuse to retire and just enjoy their time, preferring to be busy with all the household events. According to them, doing their regular work keeps them alive, and not to mention, watching after Grace requires all the energy they can muster.

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