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We left Hiding out in Bali Maxwell had a place there, and in the dead of night, the three of us fled I worried day in and day out about the safety ofto be able to h, it was hi me knoas safe, that the war between two of the oldest fa to die down We had a long way to go, but the brutality, the killing, it was slowing My father said there was a lot of bad blood that needed to be cared for

I couldn’t help but place blame on myself, but DeLuca often told me that it wasn’t my fault Ferro betrayed the family Not us Not my father Him

Tonight, as the sun is setting, a cale, and purple paints the horizon of the ocean I look in the th flowy dress The bustier hugsinto an es

This is the dress I ear at o stole ht One who had plans to kill me but instead revivedfor another human until I met him and became prey in his hands

I s black hair behind ht, the new shthat I will forever be his by nightfall I will be branded by my keeper

There is a knock on the door

“Yes?”

“Arabella You look beautiful,” Maxwell announces hih themy dress one more time

“You think? Is it too much, too little?”

“Just right DeLuca will be very happy You’re glowing”

His co my doubts just a bit

“Thank you, Maxwell,” I return with a sweet sood friends Which Lord knows I need Being on this island in hiding can be very isolating, especially on the long days that DeLuca is away in his office, helping with things back home and my father

“You’re nervous Don’t be”

“That obvious?” I turn, taking his ar for me In place of my father, I asked Maxwell to walk me down the aisle to , flashy wedding, yet this feels like the first time I’m more excited and nervous and a whole lot of other emotions

Love It’s because I’m in love with therampant with nerves, et lost in the sheets With everything going on, we haven’t been able to , but for us, that is everything We come alive, we connectlove It’s all that matters All that ceases to exist

“It is, but I can tell you it’s going to go great Nothing to worry about,” he assureshis forearm, we exit the villa doors and step onto the sand

That’s when my eyes fall on him The man I love He wears khaki pants, bare feet like me, and a halfway buttoned-up white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his tan arms covered in a few intricate tattoos I hear myself whimper, thankful when Maxwell acts as if he didn’t

DeLuca looksbetween his teeth, his chin lifting, and his body igniting, ned and in tune I hope we don’t tear each other apart tonight… or do I? My legs feel heavy, as if I would collapse without Maxwell’s assistance, but DeLuca’s look—histo me, and up into my body I need him The lily-covered arch and the priest are just a blur at this point I see no one and nothing but my man

Once I reach hito one another One arripping it and taking a possessive hold onI don’t want it to either

“Make this fast, priest,” he deoose bumps across my chest, back, and ar without words, proht of love, passion, and possession, but a lifetiht a at ht now, and we are still both fully dressed