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“Who cares about the rules, mia Bella? I want you in my life, forever. I want you to be mine,” I whispered. “I don’t make hasty decisions, and I’ve thought long and hard about this. Maybe I will always be incapable of love, or maybe I already am in love with you and just couldn’t see it. I don’t know. But I know one thing—I will take good care of you, and protect you over my own life. I promise you that, now and forever.”

Her brown eyes stared at mine, and tears filled them before they fell down the apples of her cheeks like tiny pearls. “Arkane,” she whispered, her fingers gliding over my face. “Are you sure? This isn’t that simple.”

“Very sure, Bella.” In fact, I’d been thinking about it for a while. Ever since I saw her on the floor, bleeding and bruised, I couldn’t shake the fear that moment held in my life. At first, it confused me, but after that kiss, there was no going back for me. I wanted her, forever.

She thought for a long moment, her eyes never straying from mine. And the longer it took, the harder it became to breathe. What if she said no?

I didn’t know what she saw in my eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips, and she slowly nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll marry you, Arkane.”

Her words lit up something in me, and my lips touched hers before she could take her next breath. Her soft gasp filled my mouth, and my lips softly glided over hers. Her warmth rushed into me, and I basked in every inch of it. She tasted so sweet, like mine.

It was different from the last time. Softer. Warmer. More like her.

My lips softly moved over her upper lip and then her lower lip over and over again till my tongue joined in, grazing softly along her pillowy lips. Slow at first and then faster. The moan that left her mouth pulsed my blood alive as I brought her closer to me. And her fingers climbed up from the base of my neck and threaded through my hair, pulling them like she couldn’t get enough of me.

I couldn’t get enough of her.

Our kiss deepened, and my tongue stroked hers in a heated rush. I didn’t know a kiss could feel like that.

The smile didn’t leave her face when we broke off from the kiss. I had to pause for a moment just to commit to memory how beautiful she was. Her pink flushed cheeks, her sparkling brown eyes, and glistening lips.

Before I met her, marriage was simply another duty I had to fulfill for my family. Now that she was in my life, its meaning had changed entirely. I craved waking up every morning with her by my side, growing old and building a family with her, giving her everything I could and more. Just her. No one could take her place in my eyes or my heart.

As stupid as it sounded, she was my calmness, the one who kept me afloat and helped me escape the chaos.

I should’ve been a better man and let her live her life without me, but when she told me that I made her the happiest, everything in me changed. What man was I if I didn’t even give her that?

So for the first time in my life, I selfishly made a decision for myself. And it was the easiest decision I’d ever made. To marry her.

“Come on,” I said, holding out a hand.

“Where?”

“To marry.”

“What?” Her mouth parted, and her eyes rounded. “Now?”

“Why not?” I raised a brow. “Unless you want to do something fancy?”

“No,” she mumbled, taking my hand like she trusted me with all her life. “Let’s get married, then.”

CHAPTER 37

BELLE

Taking a deep breath, I lifted my knuckles to the door. “Ella, Ari. Are you guys awake?” I called out softly. It was way past midnight, so they were probably asleep, but my sister would have my throat if I got married without them.

When Arkane said now, I didn’t know he literally meant now, now. He gave me two hours to get ready and meet him in the backyard by the cliffs, and told me not to worry about anything.

“Bellebelle?” Ella’s sleepy voice asked through the open door. “What is it?”

“I’m getting married,” I announced, not being able to keep the smile off my face.

My words only confused her more. “Is this a dream?” She blinked.

I shook my head as the door widened and Ari’s head poked out. She looked wide awake. “What is it?” she whispered, frowning.

I smiled. “I’m getting married.” Ari looked just as stunned.