Page 93 of The Prince and His Stolen Groom

Once in the hallway, Brendon scooped me up and laid me across his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.

“Brendon!” I hissed. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I thought it was high time I turned the tables on you.” He carried me up the stairs and kicked in the door to his guest room, tossing me onto the bed. “You’re now my prisoner,” he announced as he snapped the lock shut on the door.

I sprawled over the bed, hand to my forehead and exclaimed dramatically, “You fiend! How dare you tie me up and have your way with me!” I peeked at him hopefully.

He grinned and pulled colored cords out of his pocket, the same ones the Good Wizard had used in the binding ceremony. Before tying me up, he sat on the edge of the bed and gazed down at me. Sensing a serious discussion, I sat up, trying to rein in my lust and give him my full attention.

“Is this a happy ending?”

His question surprised me. Since I didn’t know how to answer, I shrugged and said, “It’s the last chapter, so it must be.”

“But are you happy?” he asked, running the rope through his hands in an endless loop, as if wondering if he could break the binds of the vows we made before king and country.

I grabbed his hands, stopping the nervous motion. “I am. Are you?”

He mulled over the question for a while, brow furrowed. “Am I happy to be wedded to a conniving little kidnapper who locked me in a magic tower for a week?” Before the sting of his words could pierce my heart, he added, “Gods help me, but I am.”

“So, you forgive me?” I asked, since he’d never officially accepted my apology.

He caressed my cheek and pressed his forehead against mine. “Forgive and more. Thank you, Rick, for saving me, even if that wasn’t your goal.”

“Then yes, this is a happy ending.” I closed the distance between us, speaking against his lips. “But more importantly, I think it’s a happy beginning.”