Page 86 of Seal My Fate

“You both do,” Saint tells me, kissing me softly on the forehead.

“What’s the news, with everything?” I venture. The last we saw of Ashford Manor, it was going up in flames. I’m guessing there’s been some serious fallout, even if nobody knows the reason why it burned.

Yet.

Saint shakes his head. “We’ll deal with it later. For now, you should just relax.”

“That means there’s something to deal with,” I point out.

He smiles at me. “You’re stubborn.”

“And you’re stonewalling,” I point out, smiling back at him. Even with my body bruised and aching, after everything I’ve just been through, I can’t help glowing with happiness.

We made it through. Together.

“The fire is in the news, but so far, there’s nothing about why it went up in smoke,” Saint tells me. “The tabloids are all too distracted by gossip from the wedding. Apparently, some minor royal got plastered at the reception, and danced on the tables singing Kylie with some guy fromEastenders.”

“Good.” I exhale. I know there are still plenty of loose ends for us to tie up, but I’ll take a moment to relax before the final battle. I glance over at Saint, who looks lost in thought as he idly strokes my hair. “And how about you?” I venture. “How do you feel?”

“I told you; my shoulder is fine.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I tell him gently. He filled me in on everything that happened with his parents and Robert back at the wedding. I can’t imagine what he must be going through, learning that his entire family was part of this twisted conspiracy.

But Saint looks surprisingly calm for a man who just burned his inheritance to the ground.

“I’m… alright,” he says, giving me a slow nod. He leans closer and kisses me, soft and tender. “I’m always alright when I’m with you.”

“Saint…” I reluctantly pull back, concerned. “Really?”

“Really,” he smiles back at me, and it’s a quiet, sincere expression; his eyes shining with peace. “I’m not saying I won’t have a few things to discuss in therapy soon,” he adds with a wry look, “But knowing that it’s all over, that’s you’re safe, and we’re together…” He lifts my hand to his lips and presses a tender kiss on my knuckles. “That’s all I really need. Truly.”

I sigh with relief—and happiness. “That’s all I need, too,” I whisper. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

Saint kisses me, deeper this time. It’s the kind of kiss that makes me want to tell himYesright now to that question he floated yesterday.Yes, there’s nobody like you in the world.Yes, my heart is yours.

Yes, I want this forever.

Saint finally releases me and gets to his feet. “Your breakfast is getting cold,” he says, teasing.

“You’re right,” I smile and reach for the toast, my stomach rumbling. “Where are my priorities?”

He chuckles. “I need to get on the phone, to my lawyers, for starters, to make sure the police aren’t asking too many questions about the fire. Then the other calls we discussed,” he adds, with a determined nod.

“I’ll be down soon,” I promise. “I just need to take the longest shower known to man.”

He chuckles. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

He leaves, and I sink back into the plush pillows for a moment, still processing the past few days. Hell, the past few months. After everything we’ve been through, a small part of me doesn’t quite believe Saint’s reassurance yet; I’m still braced for some new disaster, but I know, that will fade in time.

We can face anything and make it out the other side.Together.

After luxuriatingunder the hot water for a good half-hour and using pretty much every product lined up on the shower ledge, I finally dress in cozy sweats and my favorite of Saint’s oversized sweaters. Wrapped up in the faint woodsy scent of him, I make my way downstairs.

“Is there any hot water left in the known universe?” Wren asks me, teasing. She’s curled up on the sofa with a mug of tea, looking tired—but clear-eyed and calm.

Saint wasn’t the only one who slayed his demons last night.

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