Page 91 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke

"I know," Cecilia said gently. "But sometimes protection looks like a cage."

A long, suffocating silence filled the atmosphere between the three of them.

Theo could see the words on Magnus's face, the thoughts battling in his mind.

Then eventually, Magnus swallowed with a deep breath. "You're right," he said finally, voice thick. "You're right, and I hate that you are," he added, scratching his hair.

Cecilia blinked in surprise, as if she hadn't quite believed it would work. Was that all she needed to say all these years?

Magnus gave a short laugh. "You've always been too much like our mother. Stubborn. Brave. Infuriating. And you, Emerton," he said, turning his gaze on Theo. "You're reckless. Wild. And exactly what I didn't want for her."

Theo opened his mouth, but Magnus held up a hand.

"But you protected her. You bled for her. And I saw the way she watched over you while you were unconscious—like the world would end if your breath stopped."

Theo looked down, humbled. Short of words for the first time he started speaking with his friend in the room.

"I may never fully approve of this," Magnus continued, "but I'll be damned if I drive her away because of my pride. So," he cleared his throat, almost sheepishly, "You have my blessing."

The moment Magnus spoke, both Theo and Cecilia froze, exchanging a quick glance before an identical smile lit up their faces.

"You might want to write that down," Theo said lightly, "for future proof. In case you try to take it back."

Magnus narrowed his eyes. "You're not that funny."

Cecilia laughed, a bright, relieved sound that broke the tension in the room like sunlight through fog.

Theo took a step forward. "I meant what I said. I'll protect her, Magnus. Not just her body, but her dreams. Her peace. I'll build a life with her worth defending."

"You'd better," Magnus muttered, sitting back down heavily. "Because if you break her heart, I'll make you wish I'd killed you when I had the chance."

"Fair," Theo replied with a dry smug.

Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Would you two like to compare swords next?"

They both turned to her.

"Metaphorically," she added quickly.

Theo laughed. "That depends. Have you told your brother about your scandalous list yet?"

Magnus looked confused. "What list?"

"Nothing," Cecilia said quickly and cleared her throat. "Absolutely nothing of importance."

Theo leaned closer and stage-whispered, "It's how I earned my way to the seventh night."

Cecilia elbowed him in the ribs, her face a shade of crimson he found devastatingly adorable.

At the sight of what just happened, Magnus groaned, "Please, God, strike me down."

"You started it," Theo teased.

As the two men engaged in playful banter, Cecilia stepped closer to her brother, her heart swelled with quiet sincerity, her eyes soft.

"You've always tried to do what's best for me," she said. "But this… this is what I choose. Thank you for trusting me."

Despite how heartfelt and moved he was, he masked it with a humorous indifference before looking away, blinking. "Just don't expect me to smile at your wedding."