Chapter 10 - The Promise in the Snow
On Christmas Eve, the city was buried under six inches of fresh, pristine white snow.
High on the top floor of the Aldwych Hotel, the penthouse suite was filled with the warm, crackling light of a massive stone fireplace and the sweet, rich scent of roasting pine and cocoa.
A ten-foot pine tree stood in the corner of the grand living room, decorated with hundreds of warm silver lights and handmade wooden ornaments that Ellie and Dahlia had spent three days painting.
Ellie was sitting on the thick rug near the hearth, fast asleep in her fleece pajamas, holding her worn cloth rabbit—which now had a brand-new ear made of soft velvet that Soren’s tailor had carefully sewn on for her.
Cora stood near the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, looking out at the glittering lights of the city skyline stretching toward the dark expanse of Lake Michigan.
She wore a long cream cashmere sweater that reached her knees, her ash-blonde hair pinned up in a loose, elegant twist.
A pair of strong, warm arms wrapped around her waist from behind.
Soren pulled her back against his broad chest, resting his chin gently on the top of her head as they looked out at the falling snow together.
"She’s out for the night," Soren whispered, his voice warm against her ear. "The velvet ear was a success."
Cora let out a soft, contented laugh, resting her hands over his where they were clasped across her stomach.
"You're a terrifying mafia boss, Soren Vance," Cora teased gently. "Repairing stuffed rabbits on Christmas Eve."
"If anyone from the South Loop docks finds out," Soren murmured with a faint smile, "I'll have Leo remove them from the city."
They stood in quiet, peaceful silence for a long time, watching the snowflakes dance in the yellow glow of the streetlights forty floors below.
Soren shifted his grip, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box.
He didn't drop to one knee. He didn't make a grand, dramatic speech.
He simply opened the box in front of her, revealing a thin platinum band set with a single, flawless pear-cut diamond that caught the warm light of the fireplace like a drop of liquid fire.
"Cora," Soren said softly, his voice dropping into that deep, heavy register of absolute certainty. "Seven months ago, you dragged yourself into my life bleeding and terrified. You gave me back my father’s memory, and you gave this hotel a soul."
He took the ring from the box, holding her left hand in his broad palm.
"I spent ten years believing my life belonged to the shadows of this city," Soren whispered, looking down into her wide, tear-filled hazel eyes. "Now I know it belongs to you. And to Ellie. Will you stay with me?"
Cora looked at the ring, then up at his strong, scarred face—at the gray eyes that had once frightened the whole city, but now held only a deep, unshakeable devotion for her.
She didn't hesitate.
"I'm never leaving, Soren," Cora whispered, tears of joy sparkling on her lashes. "You couldn't get rid of me if you tried."
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Soren slid the platinum band onto her finger—a perfect fit.
He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a slow, tender kiss against her knuckles, before wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss as the snow fell softly over the sanctuary they had built together from the ruins of the past.
