Page 127 of Revere

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

He rubs my lower lip with the pad of his thumb. “Can I take you home now?”

Home.

That word has never been anything more than an idea to me. A comfort I’d never know. Until my husband says it, and with my entire heart, I can honestly say, “Please do.”

EPILOGUE

PATIENCE

One Week Later

I’ve only attendedthis ceremony one other time, when I was five years old and too young to think much of it. The second time a Sigma Sin President was sworn in, I was thirteen and refused to go.

Thankfully, my mother didn’t want to risk my attitude making her look bad, so she left me at the house. Alex let himself be paraded around for both of us, and I was grateful to be left out of it.

Now, after turning twenty-one two days ago, I stand at the doorway to this room for a second time, ready to walk the long path to the altar at the front. People fill every seat, and candles add light to the otherwise dark walls and fixtures.

The doors close, waiting for the ceremony to begin, and I press my hands to my stomach, trying to settle my nerves in the dim hallway.

“How did I get so lucky?” Jacob’s arms wrap around me, snaking in from behind. “Angels shouldn’t be allowed to walk these halls.”

“Lucky for you, I’ve already fallen.” I turn in his arms, winding my arms up behind his neck and looking up at him.

“You look stunning.”

I smile. “Thank you for the dress.”

He left it hanging in the bathroom before he went to meet with the Council earlier. It’s solid black with beads that shimmer like stars in the night sky with my every movement. The fabric is formfitting all the way down to the floor. There’s no slit at the leg and three-quarter sleeves to hide my scars like he knows I prefer. He might know about them, but I’m not ready to show them to the world.

While the dress is mostly modest, it hugs every curve and dips lower than my belly button in the front, showing off the swell of my breasts. I’ve never felt sexy with how I’m always covered neck to ankles, but he managed to find the perfect dress that did just that.

“My queen.” He leans down, kissing me on the forehead. “I should have made you a crown.”

“That might be a bit much.” I smile, but he shrugs.

His fingers toy with the end of my braid. I’ve sprinkled poppies along it just for him. A secret between the two of us.

“Are you ready?” I look up at him.

“Are you?”

“With you beside me?” I take a deep breath and sink into his hold. “Always.”

This isn’t the role I ever saw myself taking. I never wanted a man in the position Jacob is about to accept. But after shedding the doubt my mother ingrained in me, I finally feel strong enough to take on anything.

“Shouldn’t we go in?” I ask when Jacob has been standing staring at me for what must be too long, given how long everyone has been waiting.

“Let them wait while I appreciate my beautiful wife for a second.”

My cheeks are on fire as he lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. My belly swims. No matter what others demand of his time or his attention, I’ve never felt second when it comes to Jacob. He always puts me first.

Jacob holds my hand to his lips and closes his eyes, breathing deeply. And I get the sense that he isn’t just pausing for me, but for himself. The immense responsibility he’s about to take on must be overwhelming. So I brush the back of his neck and try to reassure him.

This is going to be a big adjustment for both of us.