Chapter 9 - The Sovereign Vow
My heart did a wild, ecstatic somersault in my chest. Tears of pure, overwhelming happiness sprang to my eyes.
"Julian..." I choked out, reaching up to lay my hands over his warm cheeks. "You're serious?"
"I have never been more serious about anything in my life, Ava," Julian vowed, his hand moving to wrap tightly around my waist, pulling me forward until my chest pressed against his. "I don't want a two-year contract. I don't want a fake marriage. I want you as my wife, my partner, and my queen... for the rest of my life."
I looked into the dark, fierce eyes of the man who had pulled me out of the cold, who had shielded me from humiliation, and who had given me back my dignity and my power.
"I don't want a contract either, Julian," I whispered, smiling through my tears. "I want you."
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Julian let out a low, breathless groan of satisfaction and pulled me into his arms, kissing me with a fierce, possessive passion that consumed my entire soul.
It was a kiss born of protection, victory, and deep, eternal devotion. I wrapped my arms tightly around his broad shoulders, sinking into his warmth, knowing that I had finally found the place where I truly belonged.
