Page 334 of Black Reign

His throat moves.

“You're barefoot.”

My mouth falls open.

“That is what you have?”

“No.”

His eyes continue staring at me.

“It's simply the only thought currently functioning.”

I smile.

Good.

Because several of mine have stopped too.

He comes toward me.

Slowly.

His fingers slip into mine.

Wedding rings aren't there yet.

Just our hands.

Ghost and Vesper.

No keyboard between them.

“You ready?”

No.

“Yes.”

His thumb moves once over mine.

“Liar.”

“Strategist.”

“Right.”

He leads me around the cottage.

And then I see the field.

My chest tightens.

There are no rows of chairs.

No reception tent.

No orchestra.