Page 327 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

“Soready.”

He gave me the tiniest little bite, just enough to make me crave more, and then led me into the restaurant, holding my hand as if he were escorting a queen.

If I thought his earlier show of ownership made me feel special, this was a whole new level.

The restaurant was one of those strange fancy places with a waterfall in the middle of the dining room and random weird artwork on the wall that cost more than it should have. The forty-course ordeal was supposed to be an “experience” more than a meal, and the food was about the art of the flavors, the plating, and the beauty of the food, not getting full. We were seated in a very private corner of the restaurant, a screen pulled halfway across the area to shield it. It seemed most of the tables were small and had a good amount of privacy.

Sir pulled out a chair for me, guiding me into it carefully.

“This is...”

Sitting across from me, he raised a single eyebrow and removed his sunglasses.

“I don’t even know how to describe it.”

“Well, I guess we’ll have to figure that out by the end of the night. I know the owner. This should be a very engaging experience for both of us.”

“Who is the owner?”

“Oliver Dupont.” His eyes sparkled. “And you, my dear, will be on your absolute best behavior... won’t you, my phoenix?” He reached out and brushed my cheek with the tip of his finger, drawing it down and letting it linger on my lips.

My heart squeezed at the nickname.

“This dress looks amazing on you... and it brings out that bright speck of red and gold in your eyes. I wouldn’t have thought to put you in orange and red, but Mic was spot on, once again.”

“I love it, Sir. I feel so beautiful.”

“You are beautiful. And you’remine.”

Our drinks were brought out. A young woman silently set two glasses on the table, pouring the dark red wine perfectly and quickly, disappearing with a nod.

He reached into his pocket and withdrew two small black boxes, setting them on the table in front of me. My eyes widened in surprise. He had presents for me?

I’d never been given little black boxes before. Neither was a ring, that much I was sure of. The boxes were the wrong shape. One was flat and square, about the size of my palm. The other was long and a little taller, maybe for a necklace. I stared at them, like they might disappear if I looked away.

“Alice, you need to understand something.”

Cautiously, I looked up at him. He had a serious expression on his face, but his eyes were kind. It reminded me of the way he’d looked at me when he’d painted my nails the other day.

“No matter what happens in our future, together or apart, you have completely changed me, and made me a very happy man.” He reached out to me, his huge hands seeming to swallow my tiny ones. “That being said, I am fully committed to you, and will meet you wherever you are willing to meet me.

“The past few weeks have been trying for both of us, and the next few months will be even harder. But you will not be alone.” His face fell into concern. I knew what he was talking about... the sentencing was fast approaching, and we were both aware there would be more to it than a one-and-done.

“I want you to try to communicate with me as much as you can. I already know you are trying your best, and I plan to continue to give you the benefit of the doubt as often as possible.”

He pushed the smaller box towards me. “This is something I found that reminded me of you. Open it.”

I did so, slowly and somewhat awkwardly, and my eyes widened as I took in a beautiful metal pendant. Gold metal twisted and twirled around itself to create a beautiful bird, glittering red and orange stones set into the metal.

I stared at it open mouthed, my eyes burning from emotion, as he continued to speak. “I told you a while back that I was so incredibly proud of you, so impressed by the fact that you suffer so deeply, feel so intensely, and yet still wake up every morning. Statistically, it is actually a miracle you’re alive at thirty-three. I am so incredibly proud of you, and so happy that you’re here and I get to be part of your life.

“There may be days coming soon where you feel like you can’t get up... and that’s okay. I’ll be there for you for those days too. But don’t you ever forget that you are a strong, beautiful, powerful woman, because you die every day, and get up the next. You are my phoenix, my firebird, and my beautiful monster.”

Tears splashed down on the tablecloth as I looked at the pendant. I was so overwhelmed with joy and emotion and appreciation for him that I would have thrown myself at him if I’d been able to haul myself out of my hair to do so. He lifted his napkin from his lap and reached across the table to dab at my eyes. “I know you don’t like things around your neck, but I thought maybe... an anklet or a bracelet would be nice. Or we could find some other way to mount it on a pin or a clip.”

“I... I wear necklaces, sometimes,” I choked out. “I could – I would wear this.”

“I would be honored.”

---