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I suppose that’s love for you, isn’t it?

Duncan leaned forward and kissed Isabella fully on the lips, and she kissed him right back. The sparks that flew between them in that moment was the final proof that they needed: this was love. A love that was as dominating as it was powerful as it was all consuming.

The beast inside of Duncan roared, happy to be tamed this one time because if there was anybody in this world whom Duncan was happy to be under their thrall, it was Isabella.

Epilogue

Isabella was more nervous than she expected herself to be.

I should feel thrilled! Excited! Sprinting ahead because I cannot wait to start! But if Duncan asked me right now if I wished to go home, I might just take him up on that...

It made no sense. She had been looking forward to this moment her entire life. Never thinking it would come, dreaming of it, knowing that if it ever did that she would take the opportunity by both hands because it was what she was born to do.

Or so she had thought.

“How are you feeling?” Duncan asked her.

“Fine!” she shouted. “I mean...” She forced a smile and took a deep breath. “I feel fine, thank you.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Why would I not be?”

Duncan laughed. “Because your hands are sweating, and I can feel you shaking.” He was holding her right hand and he gave it a squeeze. “There is nothing wrong with being nervous.’

“I’m not nervous.”

“Or scared.”

“I’m not scared!”

Duncan smiled knowingly to himself. “I am so glad to hear that because I was hoping that I might be able to leave you early. I have a few errands to run and...” He pretended to pull his hand free and turn around as if to leave her.

“What! No!” She grabbed him with her other hand. “You can’t leave me! Please!”

“I was only joking, Isabella.” Duncan turned back to face her, still holding her hand as his other reached up and rested on the side of her face. “Don’t worry, I am not going anywhere.”

“You promise?”

“I mean, I do not think they will allow for me to join you inside. But I told you I would walk you to the front door and I meant it.”

She bit into her lip and looked ahead, able to see the door. It should have elicited a thrill inside of her. Again, she should have let go of Duncan’s hand and ran for it – eager to get inside. But the door was large and intimidating and seemed to speak to her directly as if to warn her away.

“I... I... I do not think that I can do this,” she said.

“Isabella...”

“I am sorry!” She looked at him pleadingly, praying that he would not argue with her, that he would accept her words and give in. “And I know how hard it was for you to organize this – the favors you called in. But... but... but...” She stammered as her tongue grew thick and heavy, her entire body seeming to rebel against her.

This wasn’t how today was supposed to be.

Even last night, Isabella had lain awake as she pictured this moment right now, albeit with less fear and far more eagerness than what she was currently feeling. It was not until she broke her fast and she and Duncan left that the fear began to creep up inside of her, as she began to wonder if this was all a horrible mistake, and she was hopeless out of her depth.

In the distance, the sound of a bell ringing echoed across the grounds. It had the people around them hurrying forward, some even running, because that bell signaled a beginning to the day.

To Isabella, it was the sound of her own doom.

“You really wish to go home?” Duncan asked.