Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Wait. What just happened?
“What’s wrong?” I ask, brows dipping.
He withdraws himself and climbs off the bed, walking toward the pile of clothes on the floor. Sitting up, I watch as he digs through the pockets of his pants.
When he finds what he’s looking for, he returns to the bed and sits next to me with a black velvet box in hand. He opens it, revealing an oversized marquise cut ruby on a silver band.
My heart races as I swoop my gaze up to his face. “Caz,” I whisper.
His eyes lift to mine, and he takes my hand in his, a warm smile gracing his lips. “Believe it or not, I’ve been carrying this ring around for a few weeks now. It never felt like the right time, but now that I have you alone on one of the most peaceful nights in Vakeeli, I feel like I need to ask this.”
My eyes burn with tears but I blink quickly, fanning them away as he lifts the box.
“Willow, there is nothing I want more than for you to become my wife. You’re my mate and you’ve become my best friend. I trust you more than anyone else in this world because you know me inside and out, just as I know you.” He holds my eyes, but I can hardly see his because I’m tearing up again. “There is nothing in this world or the next that I wouldn’t do for you. If you give me the opportunity to become your husband, I’ll do everything in my power to not only keep you safe, but to make you the happiest woman in the world.” He drops to one knee in front of me with a sparkle in his own eye. “It will be more than an honor to call you my wife. So…will you marry me, Willow?”
“Caz.” My voice trembles as hope flourishes through both of us. “Yes! I’ll marry you!” I throw my arms around him and hug him tight. He delivers a warm chuckle over my shoulder. “There’s nothing I want more than to be yours forever.”
“Love of Vakeeli,” he says, laughing. “Can you feel my heart beating? I don’t think anything has ever made me as nervous as this moment.” He grins as he sits next to me on the bed. Then he removes the ring from the box to slide it onto my finger.
I raise my hand in the air, giving the ring a dramatic ogle before laughing and climbing on his lap to kiss him. He cups my ass in his hands, and while we kiss, I feel his emotions coursing through me, his nerves fading and his happiness filling every hollow area within him.
My Willow. I love you so much.
“I love you too,” I whisper on his lips.
The next kiss is hungry, greedy. His fingers skate up my spine and stop at the locs on the nape of my neck. Before I know it, he’s hard again.
And then he’s inside me.
For the first time, we make love as an engaged Cold Tethered couple.
ELEVEN
WILLOW
There are no words to describe Armistice Night.
Juniper was right. It’s an event you have to experience, and I understand why she was looking forward to it so much.
With all the preparations for Armistice and even afterward, when we announced the engagement to the whole clan, it’s been too busy to have a call with Faye.
Now that we’re two days past and things have settled, I pick up my pocket mirror and speak the chant the Mythic gave me.
My reflection warps before blurring, and I wait for Faye’s to appear.
“Willow!” Faye squeals after answering.
“Faye! Hey girl!” Her grainy sepia image has replaced the mirror. Despite the faded colors, she looks amazing with her hair half up-half down and the gold hoops hanging from her earlobes.
“I’m glad to see you haven’t forgotten about me.”
“Why would I forget about you?” I laugh.
“I don’t know. I know how crazy things get there. I still have to get used to this mirror thing, by the way. It’s so weird.”
I laugh. “Where are you?”
“I’m at work, but I felt the mirror getting hot. I’m now hiding in my office so no one thinks I’m insane for talking to my reflection.” She flips some of her hair over her shoulder. “It’s been a while. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything’s fine. Maybe a little too great, actually.”
Her brows pucker. “How do you mean?”
“You know how life does when things are going too well. Something happens that blows it up.”
“You can’t think like that, Willow. It’s okay to be happy and to embrace it. You know that, right?”
“I know. It just feels weird having everything go so well.”
“I’d say you deserve it,” she says. “So, tell me what’s up? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. Things are good here. His family is still insanely protective, but it’s okay. They’re just looking out for me. Warren is still with that Regal I told you about, and we’re trying to get in touch with them to see how he’s doing. I really hope he’s okay.” I sigh, my eyes traveling to the double doors of my and Caz’s room. “I wish I could tell you all of this in person.”