Page 80

Aelius wrapped Crispina in his arms, squeezing her so tightly her feet lifted from the ground.

“Congratulations, my love,” she whispered in his ear.

“For a moment, when I was standing up there, I thought it was all a dream, or a mistake,” he said. “I was waiting for someone to come drag me away. But then I saw you and Max and Mama, and I realized if my life with you is real, then the consulship has to be. Because nothing could be more of a dream than the fact that I get to wake up beside you every day.”

His face blurred before her, and she blinked away tears. “It’s going to be a busy year,” was all she could manage.

His mouth curved in a grin. “The busiest.” He swept her into a kiss.

She kissed him back, lifting a hand to caress his cheek, as Max made vomiting noises next to them. It would be a busy year, a stressful year, maybe even a dangerous year. But they would face it together, and their love would endure.

THE END