Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 124077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 620(@200wpm)___ 496(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Terra became aware of Jenna quietly stepping farther away and Lucy putting one hand on Lisa’s shoulder to keep her from rushing onto the platform, but all Terra could really see was Taurex.
He stopped directly in front of her and even with Terra standing several inches above the floor on the display platform, he was still taller, forcing her to tip her head back to meet his gaze.
For several seconds he said nothing—just looked at her. Finally, Terra’s nerves got the better of her.
“Is…is it too much?” she asked.
“No.”
His voice was low and filled with some emotion she couldn’t name.
“Too fancy?” Terra raised her eyebrows.
“No.”
He shook his head.
“Then what?” she asked, wondering what in the world could be going through his head.
Taurex looked at her as though he was trying to memorize every detail.
“I think this dress is perfect,” he said at last. “And I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
Terra’s heart began pounding.
“You…you do?” she asked, her voice coming out breathless.
“I do.”
Taurex nodded and then something in his expression broke.
“I also think…” He stopped and took a breath. “I think I wish you were wearing this dress for a real wedding to me, rather than a false one.”
For one heartbeat Terra simply stared at him…then her entire body seemed to fill with warmth.
“Really?” she whispered, almost afraid to believe.
Taurex’s expression immediately became guarded, as though he regretted saying too much. But he didn’t back away from what he’d said.
“Yes.”
“Do you really mean that?” Terra asked him.
“I would not say it if I did not,” he rumbled, frowning. “But perhaps I should not have said it.”
He started to step away, but Terra reached out and put a hand on his broad chest.
“No, don’t say that,” she said quickly. “Because I wish the same thing.”
His golden eyes widened.
“What?” he asked.
“I said, I wish it was real too,” Terra told him.
“Please.” His voice had gone rough. “Do not say that because you still believe you owe me something. I would rather walk away from you forever than have you accept me because I saved your younglings or because you believe you must repay me.”
Terra’s heart ached at the sincerity in his face.
“I don’t have to owe you anything,” she whispered. “Because you already have my heart.”
Taurex stared at her. Around them, the store seemed impossibly quiet.
“You mean it, lovely one?” he rumbled at last.
The familiar endearment nearly undid her.
Terra nodded.
“I mean it.”
“You truly want me?”
“With all my heart,” she whispered.
He raised his eyebrows.
“You want to make this Joining ceremony we have been planning real?”
She nodded again.
“Absolutely, positively real.”
Taurex closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, something blazed in his golden gaze that made Terra’s breath catch in her throat.
“In that case,” he said, “I have something for you.”
Then, to her complete astonishment, he sank down onto one knee and reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.
As Taurex pulled out a small velvet box, Terra put both hands over her mouth.
“You didn’t,” she whispered.
“I did,” he said gravely. “I was afraid I was being foolish but these last few days together, planning our ‘fake’ Joining taught me to hope.”
Terra’s eyes went wide as Taurex opened the box.
The diamond was enormous.
It wasn’t gaudy though, despite its size, but it was still breathtaking—a brilliant oval stone set vertically in a delicate platinum band, surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds so fine they seemed to create a ring of light around the center. Tiny diamonds continued halfway down either side of the band, and beneath the main stone was a subtle golden setting that made the white diamond shine even brighter
Terra stared at it.
“Oh my God,” she whispered.
Taurex looked suddenly uncertain.
“I hope I selected one you like. If you don’t care for this one, we can return it and choose another.”
“No!” Terra exclaimed. “No—don’t return it. It’s perfect.”
Relief spread across his face.
“In that case…”
He took the ring from its box and looked up at her.
“Terra, will you make me the happiest male in the known universe and consent to be my bride?”
Terra’s entire world blurred through tears that were suddenly pouring down her face..
“Yes. Oh my God, yes!” Her voice nearly broke and she laughed and wiped at her face.
Taurex smiled, looking both relieved and overjoyed.
“You will not regret this, lovely one,” he murmured. “I intend to devote the rest of my life to making you happy and keeping you safe.”
He reached for her left hand and very carefully slid the ring onto her finger. To Terra’s joy, it fit perfectly.
Married for real—they were getting married for real! She could hardly believe it—how could she hold so much happiness inside without exploding?
She stared at the diamond glittering on her finger and began crying even harder.
Taurex rose immediately, his expression changing to alarm.
“Lovely one?” he asked hoarsely. “Are you well? Have I said or done something to distress you?”