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He grins from ear to ear at my outburst. “We’ll get married in secret. The other monarchs might still move against me. I need you safe if that happens.”

“And Morrigan will never be able to force your hand into marriage again.”

A cloud passes over his face. “That’s not why I proposed.”

“I know.” Crops. I didn’t want to bring her up, though I’m relieved to know for sure.

“It’d be family only. When this is all over, we can have a real ceremony and flaunt our happiness in everyone’s face, but Baka agreed to marry us as soon as I return. If you say yes.”

By the spindle! I still haven’t given him an answer. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

He slips the ring on my finger and kisses the back of my hand with a smile that would bring any woman to her knees. “I love you, kitten. Now and forever.”

“I love you more.”

A secret wedding. I love the sound of that, not quite ready to share our love with the entire world—and all its vicious Faeries—just yet.

I escort him to the balcony to say goodbye. Wilted silver leaves pepper the gardens, the fifth Morheim moon high in the sky.

He licks his lips and holds me close. “There’s something that’s been bugging me.”

“Mm?”

He buries a hand in my long hair and angles my gaze to his. “How did you manage to find your way back without your mask?”

“I just—came home to you.”

“And nothing’s happened since? You haven’t had any unusual visions or fever dreams? No symptoms at all?”

I keep my voice steady and light. “None.”

He wraps me up in a tight embrace and claims my lips, his goodbye kiss full of promise. “Be safe, kitten. I’ll see you soon, and we can finally be together.”

Days. We'll be married in mere days.

“Yes. Soon. Be careful out there.”

Dark clouds billow across the mirror behind Damian’s back. The storm of nightmares follows me from room to room, rolling in wherever I go. I should really mention it to him, but I can’t bring myself to wipe the happiness from his handsome face. There’ll be time to unpack more secrets later, when he’s back for good.

Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. No nightmare, dream, or fantasy could ever keep us apart. He’s the One.