Page 60 of Guarded By the Steel Seraph

I reach into my chest compartment and pull out the velvet box. When I open it, the diamond catches every light source in the garden and throws it back multiplied. The ring is from 1890, Art Nouveau style with intricate metalwork curling around a three-carat diamond. The jeweler who sold it to me said it was made in Paris for an aristocrat’s daughter. It survived wars, revolutions, and more than a century of human history. When I saw it, I knew it was right for Jessa. She comes from old money, old curses, and a family that endured for generations.

She squeals and jumps to her feet, covering her mouth with both hands. Tears fill her eyes.

I look up at her, still kneeling.

“You redefined my life, Jessa. Everything I thought I understood about myself and about my purpose… You changed it. Others remade me physically over the centuries, but youremade me spiritually. You helped me discover a soul I didn’t believe I had. You made me become more than I thought I could be.”

I hold the ring up to her.

“Jessa Holloway, will you be my wife?”

“Yes. Oh my God, yes!”

She nods frantically, tears spilling down her cheeks. I take her left hand in mine and carefully slide the ring onto her finger. It fits perfectly.

She stares at the ring, then at me, then back at the ring. The diamond throws rainbow prisms across her skin, dancing with the movement of her hand.

Then she launches herself at me.

I catch her easily, standing as she wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. She buries her face against my shoulder, and I hold her the way I always do. Gently, carefully. I’m seven feet of reinforced steel, and she’s five foot two of flesh and bone. I could hurt her without meaning to.

She pulls back to look at me, her face wet.

“You’ve just made me the happiest woman.”

“You make me the happiest man every day.”

She leans in and kisses me, and I can taste the chilled champagne on her lips.

I will cherish her until death do us part. Because it will, sadly, and I know this like I know the sun will rise again tomorrow.

She is human. It’s what I love about her, but also what I despise. Her fragile humanity will take her away from me sooner than I want to think about. That’s why I decided to stop working for Monster Security Agency six months ago and now spend every moment with her. Not before talking to the director and getting in writing that I will be deactivated when the day comes that Jessa leaves this plane of existence.

As she hugs me close and kisses me again, I try not to think about it. Instead, I focus on the fact that I am holding my fiancée and future wife. She doesn’t need to know what worries me, what has my thoughts spiraling every day and night. All she needs is my love and devotion. And I am giving them to her unconditionally.

THE END

Monster Security Agency

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Monsters’ Bride Market

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I am a thing of horror.

A failed experiment, stitched from mismatched parts. I carved out our place in the wastelands of Alia Terra, yet even my own kind, perfected by my work, avoids me. Hideous and utterly alone.

Years ago, consumed by this loneliness, I sent my blood to a Marriage Temple, and to my surprise, I was matched to a maiden. What happened when she saw me sent me into a spiral of despair and grim thoughts. I vanished behind my mansion's gates, forever.

But forever is a long time to be lonely. If this is my fate, then I’ll reject my immortality and be done with it. Or I can try once more…

I visit the bride market with no hope in my soul. I bid on every woman, the highest offer, always refused. Until...

She points at me. “Sold.” Our eyes meet. I don’t know why this fierce, beautiful woman lets me buy her. I pull my cloak tighter, sure she is terrified. No matter. If I can have her, I'll hide my form, never touch her.