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I turn, struck nearly mute by his show of not just camaraderie, but friendship. I’m even more stunned to see his feelings reflected on the faces of the others. “It would be my honor and my preference, if that is what my mate wishes.”
Duke clears his throat. “I hear quite well. If you wish to ask Olivia, you should do it quickly. She just arranged a ride back to London.”
The thought of her gone from my life is a stake in the heart. I will not let her go without a fight, without telling her that I seek not wealth, power, women, lands, nor titles—the things I craved the night Morgana cursed me. I no longer want solitude or death. But I will get on my knees and grovel at Olivia’s feet for eternity to prove I want only her.
She is all I need.
“Thank you. Rest today, men. Tomorrow, be prepared to train until you can scarcely stand upright.”
I shut the door on their collective groans with a smile.
Chapter Sixty-Two
I race to catch up to Olivia who stands in Bram’s office, staring out the huge picture window. “Wait! Love…”
She whirls, looking stricken and bereft. Her wide eyes are a punch to the gut. Her tears reach into my chest and threaten to rip out my heart.
I seize her by the shoulders and haul her against me. “Cry not.”
She closes her eyes for a moment, then composes herself and does her best to put distance between us. “I’m glad you came to say goodbye before you…seek peace. Since my family was responsible for your misery, I’m glad I was part of the remedy.” She cups my cheek, tears now rolling down her cheeks. “I will miss you every day of my life and I will never forget that you taught me to love. Or that I am loved.”
Olivia stands on tiptoes and leans in. Having her in my arms fills me with love. Yet my need to kiss her, to strip her, to fill her consumes me. Blood rushes through my body, engorging my cock.
Take her, possess her, claim her. She needs you.
But her decision to continue our mate bond or break it is one she should make of her own free will.
“You were not a mere part of the remedy, but the key. Always, I believed you were the necessary ingredient to break my curse. I was right…and wrong. The answer was not in forcing you to use your Le Fay power to reverse Morgana’s hex, but in letting go of my bitterness long enough to fall in love with you, regardless of your bloodline. You made me see that I wish to be uncursed not because I want to die, but because I finally want to live. You have no reason to stay with me, I know. What does a modern woman want with a warrior from an age nearly forgotten by time? If you desire your freedom and wish to break our bond, I will not fight you. But I will not sever our mating. Ever. I want you as mine, now and always.”
Her breath catches, and fresh tears roll down her face. “Y-you don’t want to die anymore?”
“Not when I have so much to live for. Not when I have you to cherish.”
“But you’ll match my lifespan. You’ll be with me another thousand years.”
“I want nothing more, my dearest sweet Olivia.” I brush my fingers over her cheek, then smile wryly. “I believe men still do this.” I drop to one knee and take her hands in mine. “Stay with me. Be my wife. Love me as I love you.”
Olivia gasps, and fresh tears fall in earnest. “You’re serious? Really?”
“I have old knees. Would I be upon them if I was not?”
She laughs through her tears. Happiness glows on her face, reminding me of just one of the many reasons I need her. She is my light. My future.
“I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, and I believed my father,” she murmurs.
“’Tis understandable why you sought the parental approval your mother denied you. I cannot change what she did to you or give you more time with your father, but I can give you every bit of my heart and vow my best to make you happy.”
“I never thought you would genuinely return my feelings. I was afraid to hope—”
“Do you say aye? Will you be my wife? Wear my ring? Bear my children?”
“Yes. I would love to. Yes!”
“Thank God. I can wait no longer to touch you.” I vault to my feet and pin her to the nearest wall.
I kiss her senseless, breaking away once we both pant and ache.
Olivia looks up at me, not with mere heat in her eyes but love, too. “Are you going to make a habit of ravishing me standing up?”
