“You’re shaking,” he said.
“Am I?” I rubbed my hands down my arms. “It’s a little chilly, I guess…”
His hands replaced mine, warm and solid on my skin. “Kira,” Grayson whispered. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore. I’m your husband—it’s my job to take care of you now. I don’t want his money. I told him that. And I don’t want to walk away.”
That wild hope soared inside. “You…you don’t?” I turned back to him.
He smoothed a piece off my cheek. “No, I don’t. I realize it might be difficult to take a man seriously who’s dressed in a dragon costume, but…”
I laughed softly. “That’s the reason I’m taking you seriously.”
He smiled. “Good, because I was hoping…well, I was hoping we could give this marriage a real try. I was hoping you’d agree to be mine…for real. My wife, my lover, my friend.” Vulnerability was etched in the hopeful set of his features, in those deep, dark eyes, and my heart leapt with joy.
“Make our marriage real?”
“Yes.”
I wanted that too—so much. I wanted to stay here, to love him and feel his love in return, and yet there was still so much unresolved between us…
“What about Vanessa?” I asked. I needed to know he’d resolved his feelings for her if I was going to truly put my heart on the line.
He exhaled. “I never loved Vanessa, Kira. Or if I did, it wasn’t the right kind of love. I realize that now. Vanessa was meant for Shane. I know because I understand what it feels like when a woman is meant for a man, the way you’re meant for me.”
“Gray,” I murmured, leaning into his hand when he brushed it along my cheek.
“We all talked this week. Vanessa and I were never destined to be married. We were friends. And, Kira? We never…well, we never slept together either. I think it’s important that you know that. I…knew. I knew I didn’t love her and that she didn’t love me. I owed them both apologies.”
“Oh, Grayson, I’m so glad.” I let out a deep breath, a feeling of peace settling inside.
He smiled then. Gorgeous dragon. “I told them about us—told them I was going to try to convince you to give me a chance. It’s like a weight has been lifted from all of our shoulders. And I have my brother back.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Kira, I’m sorry about that stupid ring. I…” He pursed his lips as if choosing his words. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just didn’t think about it, and when I found that ring, I figured it’d do well enough as a prop. I’m sorry that’s what it was at the time. If I was choosing jewels for you, I’d choose something entirely different…maybe emeralds for your eyes or rubies for all that fire inside.” He gave me a sweet smile. “Nothing as colorless as diamonds or opals. Not for you.”
I felt like I was in a dream. But I had spent a week talking myself out of this, so filled with fear of rejection and the instinct to run. “Will this work? We’ve done this all backward. I’m your wife.”
He chuckled softly. “Yes, you are. My enchanting wife.” His eyes roamed over my face as his expression became serious, filled with need. “Just tell me you want me too, Kira.”
My heart quickened. He’d asked me twice before if I wanted him. The first time, in my hurt and confusion, I’d said no. The second time, I’d said yes and then I’d left. But now, I saw what he was really asking. Apart from Charlotte and Walter, who’d filled in as many holes as possible in his life, he’d never felt truly wanted by anyone. He’d been needed by his brother but rejected by the people who should have loved and accepted him but didn’t. Yes, I wanted him. I wanted him to know he was worthy of being loved. Was I ready to give him my trust again though? And was he willing to give me his?
“I do, Grayson,” I said, bringing my hand to his cheek. “I do want you. We just…in some ways we know so little about each other.”
He turned his head and kissed my palm. “I know what I need to know, and the rest we’ll learn.”
I smiled, my hand dropping. He took it in his, and we began walking along the path toward the front of the maze, the sounds of the party drifting to us on the faint night breeze. “What’s your middle name?” he asked.
I laughed. I guess we did have to start somewhere. “Isabelle, after my gram. What’s yours?”
“I don’t have one.”
I turned to him. “No middle name? That’s…criminal!”
He laughed. “Apparently it’s not.”
“It doesn’t seem right that someone should have no middle name.”
He shrugged and smiled, his lips curving up into a soft, vulnerable smile. I felt absurdly furious that no one had bothered to give this man a middle name. After everything he’d told me about his family, it felt like another slight. I huffed out a breath and he shot me an amused glance.
We halted, and he looked up at the night sky. I let my eyes drink him in. Standing there under the stars. I hadn’t known he had no middle name. But I knew so many other things about him, moments that I strung together to form a full picture. And I suddenly saw him so clearly, not just his striking looks but all of him: his intelligence, his goodness, his loyalty and protective nature, his wit, and his deep sensitivity—the thing he let so few people see. Joy spread through me. I was his wife. This beautiful man had chosen me. I wanted to love him, heal him, transform all his dark memories into light. I wanted to be worthy of him, and I longed for him to love me back.
“What made you realize how you felt?” I asked, needing to know but feeling shy.
He smiled, glancing at me as we started walking again. “Charlotte helped me realize. She encouraged me to take a leap of faith—to let go.”
Charlotte. Sweet Charlotte. Our fairy godmother. Of course. “Ah. Letting go. It’s difficult, but important.” And crucial to moving forward. I understood that all too well.
“And you? Did you know before tonight?” he asked.
“I think I’ve known for quite some time now.”
“You have?”
“Yes. Until tonight, I considered it extremely unfortunate.”
He chuckled softly. We stopped next to the entrance to the maze and I turned toward him, grasping his hands in mine.
“Here we are,” I said softly, nodding my head toward the maze.
“Yes,” he said, his eyes flickering away from the maze and back to me. “Here we are.”
He moved closer, pulling me into his arms and whispering against my lips. “You bring me peace, little witch, and you put a fire in my blood.”
I smiled against his mouth. “But do you trust me?” I asked, placing my palm flat against his jacket, running my hand over his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath.
“Trust you?” A crease formed between his dark brows.
I ducked under his arm and he spun to face me. “Come find me, Grayson,” I said and I ran into the maze.
“Kira,” he called, a low edge to his voice, “what are you up to now?”