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His hands dropped. “You have a point.”
“Anyway,” she said, “I forced myself to think about what Sheena said and…so much more. I realized I can’t cling to the painful feelings. I made them a part of me and, to be honest, I used them as a crutch. I used them to keep me isolated in my cottage and distant from people. So…I let them go.”
His eyes searched hers, and he had to admit, there was a vibrant clarity to her blue irises he’d never seen before. Torment no longer clouded them.
“How…?” He was at a loss for words, really.
She shrugged. “I don’t know exactly, except to say that I reached a point where I could continue to let the pain taunt me or I could push it away from me. I was ready for the latter, I guess. I knew it was time.”
The backs of his fingers brushed over her cheek. “And you’re all right?”
“Yes. I feel about fifty pounds lighter, actually.”
He chuckled. “You would joke.”
“Why not?” she asked. “I can’t live the rest of my life under a dark cloud. It suited me initially, I’ll admit. But no longer. I can envision so much more for myself now. I owe that in large part to you. As well as Sheena and Morgan. Tanner and my other friends.”
His fingers skimmed over her jaw and down her throat. He touched the Star of Nadia and said, “You could have an eternity to explore everything you were meant to be. Everything you were meant to do.” He gave her a compelling, earnest and imploring look as he all but begged, “Share it with me.”
She pulled in a breath. Conflicting emotions flashed in her eyes and she said, “But I irritate you on a regular basis.”
He laughed. “Yes, but I still love you. I always will, I told you that. I haven’t done a good job of showing it this past month and I promise to rectify that. Make up for it. But, Jade, if you were immortal… Your tenacity wouldn’t worry me so much. I’d still insist you be careful, yet you’d be much more resilient.”
“Are you saying you still want to marry me?”
“I never stopped wanting to marry you.”
“But—”
“Yes I know.” He sighed. “I’ve been distant and aggravated. I’m not proud of that. Clearly, I have anger management issues to work through.”
Jade bit her lower lip, likely to keep from declaring he’d made a monumental understatement.
With a low chuckle, he said, “Look at the couth and diplomacy you’re demonstrating. You really have learned a lot. Although you could be more discreet with your sarcastic expressions.”
She smiled. “I’ll work on that.”
Gazing deep into her eyes, he said, “I can only ask you this once in order for it to work. Will you stay with me…forever?”
Her breath hitched. He hadn’t been overdramatic seconds earlier—it truly was a one-shot deal. If she said no, he’d never have the chance to invoke the gift again.
Naturally, when she hedged, panic tore through him. He didn’t want to lose Jade. He’d admitted to not handling the situation with her correctly, but he knew now they had the potential to work together and resolve the complications they encountered. But he also had to face the fact that, in his heart and soul, he wanted her to be an immortal. Not just because she’d be infinitely safer, but so that they could share endless years together.
Her gaze remained locked with his and he could see she was overwhelmed with the decision. He should have given her more time. He should have considered that she’d need to process this and—
“Yes.”
She smiled again and his heart soared. His hands gently clasped her face and he kissed her. She responded with equal passion and Darien knew they had finally found their common ground. It turned out to be unwavering affection.
When he eventually pulled away, he said, “I love you.”
She nodded. “You’d better. We’re going to be together for a long, long time.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
“You had me going there for a moment.”
