Page 86 of Depraved

Amala offers me a final wave and heads off in the opposite direction.

Brandon keeps my hand tethered to his and leads me into town. We make our way through the entrance to the city walls and down the street to York Minster. It shines rose gold as it reflects the setting sun.

We approach the stunning cathedral, and I allow myself to take it all in, to try to process that this is reality.

When we reach the ancient edifice, Brandon allows me several quiet minutes to simply study the ornately carved stone features of the historic building.

“It’s so beautiful,” I breathe.

His thumb brushes my palm. “Beautiful.”

His gaze is fixed on my face, not the Minster.

I flush with pleasure.

He’s beautiful, too. His reconstructed face is almost painfully perfect, but it’s his familiar eyes that will always captivate me.

My breath catches when he drops to one knee and pulls out a small box covered in navy velvet. He pops it open to reveal a sparkling round diamond ring set in platinum. The design is simple and classic, but the sheer size of the stone makes my jaw drop.

“Brandon…”

His eyes flash with quiet, desperate hunger as he drinks me in, memorizing every nuance of my expression.

“Karolina Taylor.” He uses my real name, and my heart flutters at the sound of it in his deep, rich voice. “I’ve been in love with you since the moment I first saw you. You are the reason for my existence. It’s only ever been you. I swear I will love and protect you every day for the rest of our lives. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Yes!” I burst out, almost before he can finish the question.

I hold out my hand eagerly. That slightly crazed grin lights up his face as he slides the ring onto my finger.

He drops a kiss over the sign of our promise to one another. Soon, he’ll wear a ring, too. Everyone will know that he’s mine.

I grasp his shoulders and haul him to his feet so I can crush my lips to his. He’s still smiling against my mouth, delighted at my possessive hunger for him.

I kiss him deeply, claiming him publicly for all to see. I don’t care if they know I’m with my former professor. I’m proud to have him holding me.

He’ll be by my side forever. And in our bed. In our home.

My fiancé. My love. My reason for breathing.

I’ll never live without him again.

Even death won’t part us. Our souls are bound for eternity.

I can hardly wait to be his wife.

EPILOGUE

KAROLINA

Nine Months Later

“We’re married!” I exclaim, jubilant. “You’re my husband.”

Brandon’s grin is covetous as he drinks in the sight of me doing a little happy dance in my wedding dress. The full skirt swishes around my ankles when I twirl, unable to contain my joy.

He pulls my body flush with his, trapping me with the iron band of his arm around my lower back.

“My beautiful bride. What should I do with you now that we’re all alone?”