Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
She wore a headdress of gold with crimson gems woven in. She’d painted her nails and lips a matching scarlet and accented her eyes with a dark charcoal, enhancing her natural beauty. She robbed him of his breath. He forgot everyone watching and just stared in admiring fascination at her. Unexpected emotions choked him. He’d never thought, not once, that he would ever find a woman of his own.
Then Shylah was coming toward him on the path he’d made for her with his own two hands. The path was scattered with orchids and peonies, the flowers he’d cut in the forest and the ones Joe had brought to him. His own little peony. He was mad, crazy in love with her. She had the bouquet he’d left for her. He had made it himself, using the white and red roses Joe had brought, embedding them in a sea of peonies. He stood under the arbor he’d painstakingly built for her.
By the time she climbed the steps to him, he could barely breathe. He took her hand and led her inside to the shrine. He’d studied the traditions, and he bowed and picked up the matchsticks. He lit half the candles and incense and handed Shylah the long matchsticks so she could light the rest. When that was done, he turned to the basket of flowers he’d collected, and the remaining ones Joe had given him, and they offered the flowers to Buddha.
He turned her toward the cameras, and for the first time she saw the screens and the people watching. He knew the exact moment when she saw the familiar faces she most longed for. Her breath hitched, and she looked up at him, blinking back tears. Zara covered her mouth and bit back a sob. Bellisia pressed her head against Zeke and closed her eyes briefly, attempting a shaky smile when she opened them. To Draden’s shock, his fellow team members were visibly shaken, even Trap, the stoic, expressionless friend he loved like a brother.
Draden took Shylah’s hand as both bowed their heads for the monk’s blessing. Once the prayers were complete, they faced each other as the official asked them to recite their vows.
Draden cleared his throat. “I’ve lived a lifetime in the last few days, and no time in my life has ever been better. I give you my heart, Shylah.”
He couldn’t look away from her, his entire attention riveted on her. Love was welling up so strong, he could hardly bear it. “I promise you that no matter where our journey takes us, I’ll be at your side.”
He choked up and had to breathe deeply to continue. All the while he stared down into her dark eyes, drowning there. Going willingly. “I’ll be faithful and always supportive of you, putting you and our family first in my thoughts and in everything I do. I will always be yours and stand by you in sickness and in health.”
The catch in her breath and the tears glistening in her eyes was nearly his undoing, but he held it together by a thread. His voice was clear in his declaration because he meant every word. “If tomorrow never comes, today has been all I’ve ever wanted or needed. You are my life. And you will be after I’ve taken my last breath.”
He wanted to believe in another life where he could have his woman for more than the short time it appeared they had left, but if he didn’t ever get that, he would celebrate every second with her now.
Shylah looked up at him, her eyes swimming in liquid, making them so dark brown they looked like chocolate. “I love you with all my heart, Draden, and I’ll always be your woman. You made me dare to dream, to feel real emotion. You make me laugh when the world is crashing in on me. You showed me what love was when I had no real idea.”
She swallowed hard and a tear like a beautiful diamond dripped down her face. Her voice was soft but clear. Trembling but firm. “I take you as my husband and promise I’ll be faithful and always at your side throughout our life together, whether that’s in sickness or in health.”
Her voice shook and Draden stepped closer to her, tightening his hold on her hands. The little tremor sweeping through her body made him want to gather her close and shelter her for all time in his heart.
Shylah took a deep breath to get control. “This love may not have the luxury of burning long, but it will burn bright. You will always be the man for me, the true love of my life.”
The look she gave him was radiant, although tearful. He slipped the ring on her finger, the one he wanted there because he was a traditional kind of man. Who knew? He gave her the ring to put on his finger. When he worked, he probably wouldn’t be wearing it, at least not on his finger, but he’d have it on a chain around his neck.