“I know you say you understand, and I really want to believe you. But kid, I don’t,” Liam said flatly. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re not old enough yet, nor have you spent enough time with Ava to realize what’s really coming. You just don’t have the experience. I’m here for you guys if you’re going to see this through. But neither of you had the chance the first time around to decide if this marriage is what you really wanted, because you were forced into it. All I’m asking is if this is something you’d choose for yourself if you weren’t already tied to her. Because it’s not a small decision.”
It was hard for me to comprehend wanting anything other than my marriage. Ava was my only choice, the only person I’d ever want to be with. I didn’t get what he was trying to say.
“Even if I hadn’t married Ava before, I’d still want to marry her now,” I swore. “I just want you to back me up. If I’m not good enough?—”
“That’s not what this is about,” Liam insisted. “Kid, I’m going to be frank with you. There are times when this marriage isgoingto get hard, and you’ll have a chance to walk away. In fact, I’m going to guarantee you’ll want to.”
He didn’t know me if he thought that was the case, but I figured I’d hear him out, just to acknowledge his fears so he’d approve of me. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“I need to know if you can stay in this marriage for the long-haul, because I know my peanut. Ava’s the strongest person I know. She’s been through hell and back, and she always comes out stronger, but the one thing I know she won’t be able to come back from is losing you,” Liam emphasized.
“I’d never ask for a divorce.” I couldn’t fathom being separated from Ava in any way, or worse,wantingto be apart from her. It was incomprehensible to me.
“You say that now, but you two haven’t pushed each other far enough for that to have crossed your mind,” Liam said. “I promise you that it will. But a passing thought doesn’t have to be what you decide.”
I was certain he was blowing things out of proportion. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than what Ava and I had already endured, so I wasn’t concerned about the future, because I wasn’t leaving her side. “Why is this such a concern for you?” I asked.
“Because when you got married the first time, you didn’t have an option. This… what you’re doing right now… is achoice. And once you make this choice, you’ll have to stand by yourdecision no matter what happens,” Liam said. “That means I’m asking you no matter how hard it gets, that you’ll stick around to figure it out, and you won’t walk away from this marriage. Because if you do… you need to know she won’t survive that. And if I’m telling the truth, I don’t think you will, either. So make sure this is what you really want, before you make vows to each other you can’t take back.”
I lifted my chin. “Respectfully, sir, you don’t know what Ava and I have already been through. If we can get through that, we can get through anything. I’m here for good.”
Liam took my hand and shook it firmly. “If that’s the promise you’re making me, then I consider you my son. Welcome to the family, Charlie.”
I felt relieved. If I had Liam’s acceptance, the rest of the family would follow him, and I could truly be a part of it. I wasn’t bothered by his warnings. I knew Ava and I were good together, and always would be.
Now all that was left to do was ask my wife if she wanted to marry me all over again.
I rodea high of euphoria after talking to Ava’s family. I wanted my wife to have the very best of everything, and here in Ilamanthe, she would. Ava’s family seemed over the moon about the wedding, and I couldn’t wait to reveal the surprise to her.
The next morning, I excused Abigail from her duties, and I helped Ava get ready for the day.
“This is… different,” Ava remarked. “Usually you’re hurrying off to some meeting or in the gardens with your grandpa.”
“He gave me the day off,” I told her as I brushed out her hair. Ilovedbrushing her hair. It was so soft and silky, and she gavelittle moans when the brush tangled. I knew she was doing it to try turning me on, and it was working— but that would have to wait.
“That’s strange,” she said. “I never thought your grandpa would give you the day off. He’s kind of a hardass.”
I shrugged. “He has a soft side. I must’ve impressed him enough yesterday to earn it.”
Charlie shifted into a wyvern!Oberi exclaimed. He jumped up and down, panting.He was almost as impressive as me.
“Almost,” I scoffed.
Ava reached behind her chair and inched a hand up my thigh. “I’m sure there are someveryimpressive things about being a wyvern.”
My dick hardened, and I had to take a step away from her. If I stayed close, I’d have her undressed in moments. “Look, I know we’re into some kinky things, but I didn’t think that was one of them.”
“I want to know,” Ava teased. “How big can you get, Charlie?”
I leaned down and pressed my lips to the side of her jaw, then whispered in her ear. “Bigger than you can handle.”
Ava leaned her head into me. “Keep talking.”
“So big that you?—”
Can you not?Oberi huffed.I’m right here. There’s no need for a wyvern anatomy lesson.
“I’m just curious!” Ava defended.
