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“No,” he said, confused by her train of thought

“Then I’ll be… Mrs Darien?” Her brow crooked “That’s sort of ridiculous, don’t you think?”

Surnames… Another human tradition—one he hadn’t considered One he didn’t need to “No You’ll be the queen”

“Formally, yes But in reality, I’ll still be Jade Deville, since you don’t have a last na notion, no doubt given her independent nature and the fact it kept her connected to her family name

Who was he to argue?

“My love,” he said, exasperated by her constant passion for such things, yet wholly captivated and enthralled by her, “you will always be Jade Deville, the Demon Queen” He kissed the top of her hand “By royal decree”

Tears sprang to her eyes, as if she knew precisely why he’dto question that? After all… You are the king”

He resisted the urge to snicker at her jibe when it came to those four words he’d adamantly reminded her of in the past

“And you’ll be my wife?” he asked

She nodded and sain as a few drops slid down her cheeks “Forever and ever”

He slipped the ring on her finger

Chapter Seventeen

“This is dae swatch of white, patternedand slapped it on the desk in front of Jade at the library More sa-quick speed “Jacquard Lace, obviously Silk, organza, sheer, satin and, of course, taffeta”

Lisette eyed the squares and said to Jade, “Taffeta was big in the ’80s Many a bridesed over cotton-candy pink dresses with puffy sleeves that required their own ZIP codes and bows that ”

Jade’s brow lifted “What’s cotton candy?”