Page 357 of Black Reign

I bury my face against his shoulder, laughing.

The dog stares.

“Go away.”

“He doesn't understand English.”

Xavier switches to French.

The dog sits.

I laugh harder.

“He likes you.”

“He's a voyeur.”

“He was our wedding witness.”

“Exactly. His duties are complete.”

Eventually the dog loses interest and wanders back toward the cottage.

Xavier looks down at me.

My hair is spread across the blanket.

His white shirt is somewhere near my feet.

The simple wedding band on his finger catches starlight.

I touch it again.

His eyes soften.

No humor this time.

“Still okay?”

“Yes.”

“You tell me if⁠—”

I pull his mouth down to mine.

“I know.”

That is what matters.

I know.

And he knows I know.

The rest belongs only to us.

Not Ghost and Vesper hiding behind encryption.

Not Blackwell and Beaumont fighting over the past.