Page 42 of The Gargoyle's Captive

I stare. Did he just say what I think he just said? “What?”

“It won’t be easy to be with me. Things in my territory are a mess, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. The nobles will push back against any change I make. They will try to incentivize you to leave, and when they realize that won’t work—you were right—they’ll try to hurt you. But someone very wise told me that hope is a powerful thing. I think, with you by my side, we can give that to my people. If it all goes terribly wrong and they oust me from the throne, at least we’ll be together.” He swallows visibly. “If you want to, I mean.”

I blink several times, still trying to keep up with the direction the conversation has gone. “But my mother—”

“You’re not your mother. Just like I’m not my father. It’s not fair to judge each other by those standards. I...” He shakes his head. “I’m not saying it’s not going to be a problem once the truth of your family comes out. And I can’t pretend those old hurts won’t rise from time to time to sting us. No matter what else is true, it’s going to be a lot of work to step out of the long shadows our parents cast. But I have to believe we can do it.”

Hope hits me so intensely, I’m surprised I don’t rise right off the roof of the castle. “You love me.”

“Yeah. I love you.” He grins suddenly. “It’s written all over my energy if you care to look.”

My eyes are burning, and I have a hard time swallowing past the lump in my throat. “I don’t have to test you, Bram. You said you love me, and I believe you.” I press my lips together hard, as if that would be enough to still their trembling. “What happens now?”

Bram extends his hand slowly. “I’d like you to come home with me. I’d like you to move into my room permanently. And, in a few weeks, when all the nobles gather, I’d like you to stand at my side as I address them.”

I start to reach for his hand but pause. “But I’m only in the demon realm for seven years.”

“Maybe.” He doesn’t move. “I know it’s possible to stay after the contract is fulfilled, but why don’t we take it day by day?”

I appreciate him giving me the time and space to make that decision, but I have a feeling that ship already sailed for me. I wait for guilt to rise at the thought of leaving behind my family legacy, of no longer being a hunter, but all I feel is overwhelming relief. As if I’ve set down heavy weight I’ve been carrying for longer than I can possibly remember. I don’t know what the future holds, but when I step forward into Bram’s arms, hope is the overwhelming emotion lifting me even as he sweeps me up. “I love you, too, you know.”

“I know.” Bram gathers me close and brushes gentle kisses to my lips. “But I’ll spend the rest of my life never getting tired of hearing you say it.”

“Then I’ll say it again.” I kiss him. “I love you.”