And that is where you also will be confined. So often you have retreated there—now you must remain there until you are ready to step out and take up the mantle of kingship. If you step outside the grounds while your curse remains, you will be struck with a deadly illness.
A terrible, grinding pain ripped through the memory, as Dominic’s body transformed into the Beast. He opened his mouth to protest, but only a growl emerged.
You must transform your insides back into a man again, she had cautioned him. Because only when you have so completely transformed yourself that a woman will value you enough to marry you, despite your beastly state, will you be free.
The memory died away, and I could once again only feel Dominic’s current emotions. The strength of his mind seemed to be weakening, and I desperately tried to cling to our connection.
I heard you, back at the castle, he told me, and I frowned in confusion at the change of topic. I had come to find you, to give you the rose and wish you farewell. But I heard what you said to the servants. How you could never love a man who stood by and became a part of his father’s evil. I know you could never love me.
My eyes widened. Oh, but…How to explain to him that I had been ready to forgive Cole until he proved himself just as evil as his father. I had only said that because I could not tell them the whole truth.
When I discovered Cole had escaped, I knew instantly that something was wrong, and that I must pursue you. Must protect you from him. It did not even enter my consideration that such a course of action would mean my death. I only hoped I could retain my strength long enough to save you. His voice filled with wonder. And then, as I traveled, I began to hear flashes of my people around me. By the time I reached the garrison of guards inside the gates, I could hear them clearly. A good thing since I needed them to follow me straight into action.
As I grew closer to you, as you helped me change, the protection had begun to weaken. But only when I was truly ready to sacrifice myself did it entirely lift. He shook his head weakly. I did not realize that self-sacrifice would be so easy. When I thought of you in Cole’s hands, it was no decision at all.
You’re right, I projected, staring into his eyes. It is too easy.
His brow wrinkled, his eyes narrowing in surprise.
Dying is far too easy. If you wish to prove your ability to love, you must go on living and show that you can sacrifice every day, in the small things as well as the big.
I would live if I could, he projected. Even though I would never see you again. Merely to be in the same world with you would be enough.
The tears flowed unheeded down my face, as I knelt over him. It is evening, Dominic, and you have not yet asked me your nightly question.
He reached up a hand to stroke the side of my face. I do not deserve you.
I don’t care what you deserve. I gripped his jacket with both hands and leaned closer. Ask me.
The fading light in his eyes rekindled for the briefest moment. Will you…His chest stilled, and I stopped breathing until his own labored breaths began again. Will you marry me in the morning, my love?
“Yes! Yes!” I spoke the words aloud as well as in my mind, in case it made a difference. “I will engage myself to you in truth this time, Dominic, and I will marry you in the morning, or any day you like. Just don’t die!”
Amazement transformed his face, as he covered one of my hands with his own much larger one. But, why, Sophie? Why would you marry a beast like me?
I stared at him. There were so many ways I could answer that. So many reasons I had been wrong, and he wasn’t a monster. But every moment he grew weaker. I decided to give the simplest answer possible.
Because I love you, Dominic.
An exhalation, half cry, half groan broke from him, and his whole body began to shake. I fell back from him. Light roiled across his hands and his features, making it impossible to see through to his face underneath. His loud roar sounded all around me, only to be suddenly cut off.
The light faded, and his shaking stilled. Dominic looked up at me out of the face from the portrait, aged slightly, but easily recognizable. He pulled himself into a sitting position, gathered me into his lap, and lowered his face to mine, our lips so close that I couldn’t be sure whether they actually touched or not. He paused there, and heat rushed through me as I remembered our previous almost-kiss.
His hand reached out to stroke my hair as we hung in that moment, consumed by memories and shaken by love. I had known then that I wanted his kiss, but not why. I knew now that I wanted not only his kiss but his forever, too. We both moved at the same time, pressing our lips together as we clung to each other in joy.
Chapter 32
I could hear Lily laughing and applauding in the background, and when we finally broke apart, I looked up at her sheepishly.
“Don’t give me that look, Sophie. You enjoyed every second of that.”
I looked back at Dominic, and he could clearly read the truth of her words in my face, because he leaned in to do it again.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” said Lily with another laugh. “Just hold on there.”
Dominic glowered up at her, but she was unmoved. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Lily. And that’s my twin you’re holding so possessively.”
He gave a reluctant laugh, the sound almost as rough as it had been when he was the Beast. He lifted me gently from his lap, and stood, pulling me up with him. “I am Dominic. And I can assure you that I have no wish to start my new betrothal at odds with my bride’s twin.”
“Oh, excellent. You can speak now.” Lily gave me a significant look. “Wasn’t there something rather important—and time sensitive—that needed to happen once you could speak?”
I gasped. “The coronation vow! Quick, Dominic.” I ran back through the still open doorway, tugging him along behind me. Lily and Jon trailed after us.
“What’s all this?” Jon kept pace with us despite his confusion. “Is there really such a rush?” Obviously, the coronation hadn’t been one of the things Lily had been able to explain to him while they were under guard.
I shrugged and didn’t slow down. “I don’t know if anyone has been keeping track of the number of hours it’s been since Dominic’s father died. And I for one don’t want to discover we’ve arrived too late because we dawdled on our way there.”
“Very well, then,” said Dominic and, without warning, swept me into his arms and took off at a jog.
I giggled and swatted at him. “Put me down!”
“I thought you said we were in a rush?”
I rolled my eyes, but secretly I liked the way he carried me, as easily as if I were made of cushions. He might have become human again, but some things hadn’t changed. His shoulders were still broad, although correctly proportioned now, and his arms were still strong.