Page 889 of Coal Hearts

A long strand of red wool tumbled from the scarf.

It coiled on the cream carpet.

Memories of us huddled under our blankets on that awful island filled my mind. Snatched moments safe from the cameras, terrifying seconds full of whispers when there was no safe place to talk.

“You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want a diamond. This place has cured me of my love of gems. A simple string knotted into a circle would be enough.”

My heart thundered.

I ducked to snatch the wool off the carpet.

With my blood racing and every droplet of love mingling with nervous hope, I dropped to one knee and held up the woollen strand. “It’s not a string, but...what I said to you that night beneath our blankets is still true.”

Ily froze, her hands flying to her mouth.

“The moment I met you, I put an invisible ring on your finger. It’s there, Ily. It’s always been there.” I licked my lips, gathering courage to put my entire soul on the line. “You freed me that day. We might’ve spent six months in captivity, but...you freed my heart and taught me how to love instead of hate. You taught me that I wasn’t something to be feared or loathed. You gave me something I never thought I’d earn.”

Holding out my hand, I whispered, “Come here, little nightmare.”

Ever so slowly, she padded toward me. Tears sparkled like crystals on her cheeks. The monster inside me sprang awake to drink.

I tried to lock that part of myself away.

I tried to stay human as she placed her hand in mine.

I trembled with so many things. Light and dark. Love and lust as I looped the strand around her wedding finger and tied a bow. “A part of me doesn’t want to ask you this question because I don’t want to give you the chance to say no. But...I will never do anything without your permission again, and so. Ilyana Sharma...” I cleared my throat as pressure built around my ribcage. “You’ve seen me at my worst. You’ve seen what I’m capable of and what sort of life I can offer you. You know I’m not perfect, and you know I would slaughter the world for you. I can’t promise I will never piss you off, and I can’t say that I’ll be the best husband, but what I will be is the best that I’m capable of.” Lowering my voice, I whispered, “I might be a monster, but you hold my leash, Ily. I wear your collar. Just yours. I will kneel at your feet all while fighting your—”

“Yes,” she breathed around her tears.

I chuckled. “I haven’t asked you yet.”

“Doesn’t matter. My answer is—”

“Give me a sec, woman. Jesus.” I pressed a kiss on the crimson bow tied tightly around her finger. There was so much I wanted to say. So much I needed her to know but...she knew. She knew because we shared the same soul. The same heart and lifetime and destiny.

“Marry me,” I whispered against the string. “Marry me and spend your life with me.”

Snatching her hand from mine, she threw herself at me. Decorating my face with kisses, she giggled.

A sound so young and innocent.

A sound I would spend every day of my mortal existence earning again and again.

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Yanking her off her feet, I pressed her carefully onto her back. The carpet cushioned her as I lay on top of her.

Sliding my fingers through her hair, I held her prone.

Our eyes searched each other’s.

She looked at my mouth and arched her hips.

I rocked against her, revealing how hard I was. How much the darkness inside me snarled and nipped, utterly mad with possessiveness. “You know this means you’re mine now. In every caveman barbarian way.”

She grinned. “If you’re trying to scare me off, it’s not working.” Moaning, she bit her bottom lip. “I keep telling you. I want to be consumed by you. I want—”

“Me to hurt you.”