Page 116 of My Solemn Vow

After a few seconds, I realize I haven’t answered. “Of course I’ll go to dinner with you. That would be a good tradition.”

“I’m glad you said yes. We have a stop to make first.” He grabs my hand and squeezes. “I’m so glad you were thrust into our lives.”

“Me too,” I say with a small smile.

Valor drives through the city, his right hand interwoven with mine on the center console. Every once in a while, he brings our joined hands up to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

We pull into a parking garage, and Valor motions for me to stay put. Being a complete gentleman, he opens my door for me.

Hand in hand, he leads us down the sidewalk to the front of a jewelry store. The business is closed, but he knocks anyway.

I’m surprised when someone opens the door and welcomes us in with their arm extended toward the shop’s interior. We walk farther inside, and I admire the sparkly stones glistening in the case as the shopkeeper locks the door behind us.

“I was wondering when you’d bring in your new bride.” A woman comes from the back, her gray hair glistening in the light. “She’s lovely. I can see why you picked her.”

“Mmm, she’s a spoil of war. The rarest prize in all the land.” The adoration in his eyes as he looks at me is a shock to my system.

I raise my eyebrows but keep my mouth shut.Damn. That was smooth.

“I don’t love the ring we started with. I was hoping you could help.” Valor leads me closer to the counter farthest at the back.

The sparkly nature of gems catches my little raven brain, wanting to see them glint and gleam in the light. I’m so fascinated with the case that I don’t notice Valor bringing my hand up to the counter until a feminine touch grazes my fingers.

“You never were a fan of the more traditional shapes. I’m surprised this is what you proposed with.”

I shift my gaze to her. A silent scolding passes between them.

“It’s a long story but... my father.” Valor defends himself.

The woman shakes her head. “Well, you know I always take care of you.”

“Antonella, this is Galina. Galina, I present you my wife, Antonella.” Valor introduces us.

Being invited into the conversation, I smile. “You have so many beautiful pieces.”

“Thank you. I know what Valor likes, but you wear it every day. What do you like?” she asks.

“I’ve never been a jewelry girl. My mom had my ears pierced when I was a baby. Beyond a few simple necklaces, I’m new to this.” Flitting my gaze between the two of them, I can tell it’s not the answer they were hoping to hear.

But Galina doesn’t waste time. “It means you get to see more gems. Valor, I’m guessing budget is not important.”

He shakes his head. “Next alpha of the pack, there’s a certain expectation.”

My eyes go wide with the notion that she knows, but I’m unsure if she’s a shifter or not.

Valor fills in the gaps. “Galina is from a pack in Eastern Europe. She comes here to manage her many jewelry stores every few months.”

Galina pulls out a piece of black felt and then lays a velvet cloth over it. From within the case, she selects a few pieces, setting them out on the counter. “Now, these are just to determine shape. I’ve got what you’re really after in the back. Valor is like a little magpie. He always wants the most sparkly. Which normally is a round radiant. But a regular radiant or emerald will look best on your hand. You’ve got long, graceful fingers.” She gestures to my hand. “Take off the abomination, dear.”

I look at the ring before sliding it off.It seemed fine to me.

The woman moves quickly, taking the ‘abomination’ and setting it aside. She then slips a new ring on my finger. It’s too big in the band but the diamond is a lot more sparkly. And I do like how it looks.

“Ah, look. She likes it.” Galina takes it back off and puts on another. This one’s much more subtle. It’s as if she’s reading my mind. “But she prefers the emerald cut.”

“And we’ll need —”

“Valor if you’re about to tell me that you need the full three-piece set, I’ll come right around this counter and deck ya.” Galina looks up at him, her chin tucked down and eyes narrowed.