Page 152 of For Ever

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Eventually, we make our way out into the bright summer’s day. Nyx stomps his hoof in greeting before going back to his feast of grass near the pond. There is so much land for grazing, the unicorn doesn’t know what to do with himself. I swear he prances everywhere he goes.

Maddox waves from his own wagon, his pet goat trotting along behind him. When the pair first found each other, I was so distraught that Maddox would eat the little fellow. Turns out, Maddox has never eaten a goat in his life.

“Hello, my queen,” he says with a smile as bright as the sun high above. “Tell me, is your cousin by chance visiting the castle today?”

The poor man makes no attempt to hide his affection for Nia. I’ve tried telling him it’s a hopeless endeavor since she and Nolan are trying to rebuild their broken relationship, but he only smiles and says he is a patient male. When I say she’ll be arriving after lunch, Maddox practically skips down the marble hallway ahead of us.

Ever stops on the stoop, frowning down at the marble tiles. “Tell me I can do this.”

I lace our hands together. “You are a fearsome male. You can do anything.”

He turns and takes me into his arms, my favorite place to be. His forehead drops to mine and he whispers, “I love you, Kerris Gathin.”

“I love you, Everett Gathin,” I whisper back, a smile on my lips and happiness in my heart.

I came to Rosehill for a husband, and to my great fortune, have found one.