Page 134 of Four Promises to Love

Finn lifted her head. “No, you don’t have to⁠—”

“I do.” Iris’s gaunt features were set. “Let me say this, Finn. I must.”

Slowly, she nodded.

“You were correct all along—about Carver and how he was using me. It is stating the obvious, but I must say it. You were right, Finn, and I was wrong.”

“It doesn’t matter. All I care about is having you back.”

“It matters to me.”

The spark that returned to Iris’s eyes was painful and exhilarating to witness.

“When we parted, I said cruel things. I knew they were cruel, even at the time.”

Finn swallowed. “I know you didn’t mean them.”

“I meant to hurt you.” Iris’s voice throbbed with shame. “To push you away. Regardless, what I said was not true. You are wanted, Finn, and you are loved. Your past doesn’t change that. You are worthy of all good things in life and always have been.”

“I know.” Because now she did. “But thank you for saying that.”

Iris’s gaze glinted with amusement. “Catching yourself a lord made you cocky, did it, Finicky?”

“No,” she said with a smile. “Loving Owen did.”

“He is a lucky bloke.”

“So I keep telling him.”

Iris’s laugh, rusty and true, warmed Finn’s heart.

“I look forward to getting to know him. In the meantime, I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything, Iris. You know that.”

“The favor isn’t for me. It’s for Caleb.”

Finn scowled. “Oh.”

“He has a hard time with apologies.”

“You don’t say?” Finn couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice. “The entire time you were gone, he’s been a thorn in my side⁠—”

“I know. He told me about it and about how sorry he is. Please, for me, Finn, could you make peace with him?”

“Fine. For you.” She huffed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

After ensuring that Iris ate some of the meal, Finn left her to rest. Xenia, Gigi, and Evie stopped by, and they settled at the kitchen table for tea and chitchat.

“How is Iris?” Evie asked.

“She seems better,” Finn said. “More like her old self. I think she just needs time.”

“Speaking of time.” Gigi leaned forward. “Has my brother proposed yet?”

“Gigi,” Xenia protested. “You shouldn’t interfere.”

“What is taking him so long? It has been a week since we defeated that cutthroat. Finn’s family is safe and sound—which means it’s time for Finn and Owen to get married and break the curse.”