Page 81 of Death

“Well…” I grin. “That and a prayer or two to a certain fertility goddess but we go way back. I’m sure she’ll be happy to deliver.”

Tannis nods. “Sounds super normal.”

I chuckle as I tilt her head up and kiss her sweet lips. “Just say the word, my love,” I whisper. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be.”

“Yeah?”

I nod. “Absolutely.”

Our lips graze, sparking another rush a warmth throughout my whole body.

Tannis pauses, the wheels visually spinning behind her eyes. “Would it be like you?” she asks, lowering her voice beneath the song. “A god, I mean?”

I shake my head. “All life begins with mortality,” I answer.

“Even yours?”

“Yes.”

“You know, you’ve never told me how you became the way you are,” she says. “Always kind of wondered…”

I run a finger down her cheek, sweetly silencing her. “Maybe I’ll tell you. Someday.”

Her face pinches in playful disappointment but she doesn’t ask twice. She knows she has forever to pry that out of me and there’s no doubt in my mind that she won’t succeed long before then.

Tannis rests her head on my chest again and I kiss her forehead as we softly sway to the music.

“I love you,” I hear her say.

My heart skips twice. Even after all this time, hearing her say those words brings me to my knees.

This woman. I’d give her the whole world in exchange for one peek at her beautiful smile.

“Ari?”

“Yes?” I whisper.

“What are you thinking about?” she asks.

“Our wedding night,” I answer as I glance around the reception hall.

“Me, too.” She gazes up at me with a smirk. “Best night of my life.”

I caress her face, gently pushing her hair back behind her ear. “Are you happy?” I ask her again.

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she pushes up onto her toes and kisses me.

Maybe she’ll tell me. Someday.

Tannis. My love.

My queen.

For eternity.

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