I lifted a stopping hand. “Shut it. I’ll calm down better if you don’t try to placate me.” I wiggled my shoulder, dislodging his face from my neck. “So back off.”
“No,” he stated brusquely, grabbing the other side of my neck, keeping his face flush against my skin and placing hot kisses across it. “We’re getting married and I don’t want you jealous or upset.” Soft nibbles on my earlobe. “I’m yours, sweetheart. I don’t give a shit about any woman except you. I didn’t ask for them to plan something, nor do I want it.” Said earlobe was gently sucked into his warm mouth. “All I want is you.”
Truth. All of it.
That quickly, I felt my wolf recede, possessive anger slowly dissipating at his honest words and his gentle petting. I tilted my head to give him better access, finally seeing lights ahead, even as I mumbled, “If there’s any T and A in view, you had better,” I cleared my throat as his knuckles brushed my collarbone, his lips beginning to suckle at my neck, “keep your eyes averted if you’re wanting to keep them.”
“I like my eyes right where they are.” He sighed softly. “On the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.”
Ah, now that was just sweet. “Alright, alright. I’m not mad anymore.”
“Hmm?” His lips still played at my neck. “I know.”
A soft giggle left my throat as he continued his exploration of my neck. “God, I love you.”
The house I pulled up in front of reminded me of an igloo mansion, but it appeared made of sand instead of ice, and had large windows placed sporadically with red or gold lighting pouring from them. I parked in the circular ‘drive’ instead of going around the extensive front to the back where I saw another road lead and was probably where they parked their cars normally. Exiting the SUV, I sniffed the air, scenting the sizzle of Mage magic, a few Shifters’ scents, and a whole helping of marijuana. My ears were attacked by loud music, proving that this home placed in the middle of fucking nowhere was an excellent pick. It also told me this was a refuge of sorts for a variety of Mysticals, because there were too many intermingled scents for a simple home dwelling.
“On my walk today I got these in case you said yes,” Ezra said softly when I moved around the SUV to stand next to him. He handed me two small velvet boxes. “We can wear them on our thumbs, and no one will know what they are except us.” He placed his hand on my back as we moved toward the front door, guiding me as I opened them. “They’re not diamond, but I think you’ll understand.”
I smiled as I stared down at two plain rings, their bands thick. One was black on the top and on the inside, and the other was black on the outside while the inside was red. I pointed to the red and black one. “This is the one I’ll wear?” He nodded, stopping us at the front door. “They’re perfect.” And really, they were. They would signify who the partner was, but still remain secret to any who looked at the rings, Ezra’s only looking like a normal piece of black jewellery, same as mine.
“There’s an inscription,” he mumbled, his jaw quickly clenching. “It’s the same on both.”
Again, he was breaking my damn heart as his unexpected bashfulness flared. I took his out, tilting it under the bright lighting of a window next to the door. It read: The Beauty Is Found. Okay, so I sniffled a few times. I clutched the ring in my trembling hand, peering up at him. “I love it.” I lifted on tiptoe, kissing his jaw. “Thank you.”
“Promise? I know the rings aren’t what a woman—”
I covered his mouth with my hand, stopping his nervous babbling. “They’re just what I would want. I swear.”
I felt him grin behind my hand, and I lowered it when he leaned down, still grinning like a fiend, to whisper, “Once Elder Farrar wakes up, see if he can spell yours to allow you to shift while wearing it.”
My eyebrows rose. “Excellent idea.” My Queen ring was spelled that way.
He pulled me close, his warmth wrapping around me as he lightly kissed my neck…and bit. “I don’t want you to ever take it off.”
“You know I won’t,” I murmured, tilting my head to kiss his lips softly.