Page 111 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Caspian was very still, the pendant resting in his palm.

"I know it's not much," Carol continued, suddenly nervous. "I know you're incredibly skilled and powerful and probably don't need magical protection, but I wanted... I needed to do something. To give you something that might help keep you safe."

"Not much," Caspian repeated, his voice rough. "Caroline, this is..." He looked up at her, and the expression in his eyes made her breath catch. "This is one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone has ever given me."

"Really?" Carol asked.

"Really," Caspian confirmed. He set the box down on his desk and stepped closer to her. "You had this enchanted for me. With protection magic. Because you want me to come home."

"Of course I do," Carol said. "You're my husband. And I..." She swallowed. "I care about you. Very much."

"I care about you too," Caspian said quietly. "More than I expected to. More than I thought possible."

He lifted the pendant, examining it more closely. "The emerald matches my eyes."

Carol felt her cheeks warm. "I noticed that when I saw it at the market."

"You've been planning this for a week," Caspian said.

"Sterling helped coordinate with High Priestess Thea," Carol admitted. "I wanted it to be ready before the banquet."

Caspian carefully placed the chain around his neck. The pendant settled against his chest, the emerald gleaming with its enchanted light.

"How does it look?" he asked.

"Perfect," Carol said honestly. "It suits you."

Caspian touched the pendant, then looked at Carol with an expression that made her heart race.

"Thank you," he said. "For thinking of me. For caring enough to do this."

"Always," Carol said softly.

Caspian crossed the remaining distance between them in two strides. His hand came up to cup her cheek, gentle and careful.

"May I kiss you?" he asked.

"Yes," Carol breathed.

This kiss was different from the one in the garden—less tentative, more certain, laced with the quiet confidence of two people who had chosen each other without magic’s interference. His other hand found her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them, and Caroline’s arms wrapped around his neck, fingers sliding into the cool strands of his silver hair.

The pendant pressed warm between their chests, its gentle magic humming in quiet approval.

They lingered there, lips brushing again and again in soft, unhurried tastes—small nips soothed by tender strokes of tongue—until the kiss deepened into something slow and sweet and breathless. When they finally parted, both flushed and smiling faintly, Caspian rested his forehead against hers, breathing her in as though she were the only air he needed.

"Tomorrow," he said quietly. "We face them all together."

"Together," Carol confirmed.

"As partners," Caspian added.

"As husband and wife," Carol finished.

Caspian smiled—that rare, genuine smile that transformed his entire face. "I'm glad you're here, Caroline. Glad you changed. Glad you're mine."

"I'm glad I'm yours too," Carol said honestly.

They stood there for a long moment, just holding each other, the pendant glowing softly between them.