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“Yes,” agreed the Sky Prince. “Perhaps next time we should use someone else’s arena for the big game.”

The princes soothed their boredom pangs by stuffing their stomachs with chips and lots of greasy fried finger food. And also by gossiping. They really liked to gossip.

Bella and Harker worked quickly. The cameras couldn’t see them, but I could hear them coordinating their scavenger hunt for crafting materials. It took them only a few minutes to collect them all, then they met up in a cave between the mountains and the sea. The Night Prince’s cameras still hadn’t found them.

If you can’t finish the anti-curse ring before the sun rises, Harker, you’ll be stuck in here with me and no way out,Bella told him.And then the Monster inside of me will kill you.

Well, then, I’d better work fast,he said, totally confident.

I could feel the intense heat of a fire. Hear the crackling flames. Smell the sharp scent of metal mixed with the softer, leafier aroma of herbs. It was like I was right there with them.

Ok, so say we finish the ring in time,Bella said nervously, and I just knew she was wringing her hands.Then what’s your exit strategy? There’s only one magic mirror here, and it leads straight back to the Night Prince’s castle.

My exit strategy is simple,he told her.We’ll travel back to Midnight Castle, then the two of us will use our combined magical might to blast our way through the Night Prince’s soldiers, free your family from his evil clutches, and return to Earth together.

You make it all sound so easy, Harker.

Everything’s easy when you’re as awesome as I am, baby.

I snorted. And so did Bella.

But then she added in a worried voice,I just don’t think it will be that simple.

Trust me, Bella,he said.I know what I’m doing. I do things like this all the time. I’m an angel, remember?

Yes, well, angel or not, you’d better hurry because I can feel the sun coming up.

Almost there,he said.If you could just stop distracting me…

Oh, I am distracting you, aren’t I? I’m sorry. I’ll just stop talking now.

That wouldn’t help,he laughed.Just having you here beside me is distracting enough.

Should I leave?

Absolutely not,he said, the hint of a growl creeping into his voice.You ran away from me once before. Never again, ok? Promise me, Bella. Promise me you won’t leave me again.

I didn’t leave you, Harker,she said quietly.I just left.

Yeah, you really need to stop doing that.

I really missed you, Harker.Bella’s laugh was so beautiful and tragic.Being away from you…it made me love you even more than ever before.

Their emotions were pushing higher, more intense. I was having trouble untangling their feelings from my own.

I love you, Bella. More than you can imagine.Harker kissed her.You really never should have left. You should have brought me along. Don’t you know that I will always stand by your side, no matter what happens?

Even when I turn into an angel-killing monster?

Yes,he confirmed.Even when you turn into an angel-killing monster.

They were so cute together.

That should do it. The ring is finished,Harker declared.And, now my dear Bella, I would be honored, so honored, if you would consent to wear it.

Now if that wasn’t a proposal, I didn’t know what was.

Harker…Bella’s heart was so fluttery.Yes, of course I will.