Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
It shouldn’t feel so right to hold him, but it does.
Corvus gasps for air, and his arms slide around my body, tightening fast, until I can barely breathe. “It was a bloodbath. It was too late for him, but I still tried to call for help. He only cared about one thing. He made me promise no one would ever know how I was captured, or that I’m gay.” His words are like a whimper when he rubs his nose against my cheek. “He didn’t want anyone to know how I failed everyone. But today, I’m breaking that promise, because I need you to understand.”
I cup the back of his head, cradling him close, my heart frantic against his. While what he did hurt me to my core, I see now that he’s trapped by his own mistrust more than I’m wounded by it. “I want to be your rock,” I whisper and kiss his temple. “But you have to let me.”
The way he trembles makes me want to whisk him away to a safe place, where there is no room for any threats to our happiness.
Corvus kisses my cheek, squeezing me even harder. “I will. I’m so sorry about everything. About yesterday, and the way we met, and how I treated you throughout. I was scared what might happen if I get in too deep, but it happened anyway,” he adds, sliding straight into my only chair the moment I loosen my hold.
This time, the crack is loud and sharp, and Corvus collapses along with it.
“Fuck!” I’m dying of embarrassment, and hold out my hand to help him up. “No, I’m sorry. This place is… It’s not great. You’re worth more than this. It’s all a bit shit. I’m a bit shit, you deserve better, but I’m still greedy for you, because, yeah, it’s not like I’ve un-loved you since yesterday.”
Corvus looks up at me from the sorry remains of the chair, but instead of taking my hand, he rolls to his knees, and then sits on his heels at my feet. I’m self-conscious, because I can’t remember the last time I vacuumed the carpet, but he doesn’t seem to notice its muddy shade and smiles. “I definitely don’t deserve better than you, Dalton. That’s like telling me to look for a taller mountain after I already climbed Mount Everest,” he tells me and gently takes hold of my hand.
My heart beats faster, and I have to smile because all I’ve ever wanted was to be seen and appreciated. A little pat on the head for a job well done. It’s probably what made me such a good fighter in the first place.
“Thanks. I… it means a lot.” But when I try to pull him up, he won’t let me and instead slides one leg forward, no doubt wanting to rise on his own.
But he stays down, gaze pinned to my face as if he’s never seen anything more precious. “You gave me something I stopped hoping for, Dalton. When I’m with you, my life has depth, and color, and I no longer focus on my guilt. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. Will you let me make amends?” he asks, plucking something out of his pocket. The bright light coming in through the window hits the small diamond embedded in the thick golden band just right, and I stop breathing.
“Will you be my family? My home?” Corvus asks, squeezing my hand.
The wedding was meant to be a formality to let us get to know each other better, but now it feels real. As if he’s going to mean his vows when he makes them.
My heart has been thrown in the trash and stomped on so many times, yet here I am, ready to give it away again. Have I finally met the match for my brand of fucked-up?
It feels surreal to nod and watch him slide a ring on my finger. Never in a million years did I think someone would care for me enough. I’ve had fantasies of being the one who proposes, and then nightmares about being rejected. This? This is the dream.
“I will always prove to you that you can trust me.” I never want him to regret this proposal.
Corvus brightens, a beacon of pure joy as he kisses my big, calloused hand. “This ring was my father’s. It’s only fitting that the most important man in my life wears it.”
My eyes prickle, and I force him up so I can hug him. “Stop it! I’m gonna fucking cry and give you the ick.”
Corvus stumbles straight into my arms and chuckles. “As long as they’re the good tears, I have nothing against that. You’re such a teddy bear…”
I snort, glancing at the ring on my finger, the proof that I belong to him. “The guys from yesterday would beg to differ,” I say defensively as I sniff and hug him tighter.