Page 179 of Kings & Queen

Nik wasn’t done. “Sit, please,” he commanded, and she nodded. “Last one from me.”

She grew serious under his intense stare. He fished in the other bag and pulled out a framed document. With a flourish, he handed it to her.

“This is my pledge to you, Kinsley Anya,” he began, his voice filled with sincerity. “It’s my promise to forsake all others, to devote my heart, mind, body, and soul to you and you alone.”

“Oh my god. Look, guys!” She flipped it over and showed us. “It’s an official exclusivity agreement. I love you so much. I promise you right here and now that I will be the best baby girl you’ve ever had in your life.”

She hugged the frame to her chest, her eyes filled with affection.

“That’s not all.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bracelet.

It was a classic Dom bracelet, black leather with a ring in the center. It had two jeweled skulls on either side. He handed it to her. She looked at it and then at him in confusion. It wasn’t for a woman.

“You’re the center of my world, and this solidifies my token of unwavering commitment to you. Go on, read it aloud for the peanut gallery.”

She delicately took it from the box, and on the black leather straps was an inscription. “Property of Kinsley Anya.”

He extended his wrist to her. She rose from the chair, clutching the bracelet. In perfect form, she dropped to her knees in front of him. Her fingers trembled as she reached up and pulled his wrist to her mouth. She dusted it with small kisses before clasping the bracelet around his wrist. The act was symbolic, a pledge of his promise that his heart belonged to her and her alone.

He lifted her chin and said, “As long as this bracelet adorns my wrist, I am yours. It’s a tangible reminder that you are my end all, be all. I will wear it every daythere is air in my lungs and a pulse in my heart. Forever. You make the mundane extraordinary, and everything about you speaks to the depths of my soul.”

He paused and had to clear his throat. Tilting her face up, he caressed her cheek. There was something profound about watching him humble himself with our girl. A deep warmth spread through me. Seeing my twin, my other half, confess his love to the same woman I cherished was significant.

The connection we shared, both as brothers and now in our love for her, was rare and precious. His sincerity, the way his eyes softened whenever he looked at her, mirrored my own feelings. And I felt an overwhelming sense of completeness as I watched them.

“Every part of you, even those dark parts you try to hide, I love. When I’m away from you, I long to hold you close, to hear your voice raised in song, to have it wash over me like a cleansing rush of water. I love you with my whole heart.” He stopped once more. The emotions in the room were heavy and thick. He didn’t often show this side of himself.

“And more importantly, my love for you is unwavering and transcends the physical realm.”

“A soul tie,” she whispered.

“Yeah, baby girl, a soul tie.”

Tears fell from her beautiful eyes as he confessed his love to her. He pulled her up from her knees and kissed her before releasing her with a gentle shove toward the table.

“Go on, pick. You’ve got the Blade’s and the Reaper’s gifts left,” Nik said.

She turned, the soft rustle of her pretty little dress swaying around her. With graceful steps, she approached the two remaining cards. Her fingers brushed against the edge of the table as she took her time in choosing. Then, with a flourish, she turned one over. A playful smile danced on her lips as she held it to her chest.

“It’s my beloved,” she whispered.

Ivan stepped forward, his movements filled with a nervous energy. The lug had absolutely nothing to be nervous about, yet he was. There was so much tension in his posture it wasn’t even funny. His fingers twitched as he wiped his hands on his jeans.

He reached for his gift. The wrapping paper crinkled beneath his touch, the only sound in the room as we waited. With a steadying breath, he turned back toward Kinsley. His gaze filled with apprehension at the prospect of baring his heart, but he strode over as she looked up at him with loving eyes.

“It’s not much, but in my heart, it felt right, so I hope you will appreciate the gesture.” The bag shook as his hand trembled violently.

Bash chuckled, and I kicked his foot to shut him up. I’d never seen Ivan this nervous before. Did he really think she wouldn’t like his gift? I shook my head. She sensed it as well and reached out her hand to touch him.

“My beloved, I appreciate everything you do for me. You are my heart.”

He heaved and gave her a soft smile. “And you’re mine, and so I present this to you.”

He dropped to his knees, and she startled. I sat forward, as did Nik. He sat the bag down next to her and reached inside. Pulling out a long, thin aqua-blue box. She gingerly took it and traced the pretty bow on top.

“It’s so pretty.”

“Just like you, but it’s what’s inside I hope you’ll love more. Please open it,” he breathed.