“I will.”
My grandfather nodded, turned his eyes to me. “And do you, Caroline Evelyn Merit, take Ethan Sullivan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this night forward, until death do you part?”
I turned my gaze to Ethan, enjoyed that instant frisson of nerves in his eyes. Ethan, Master of Cadogan House, wanted me to seal the deal. It was easy enough to obey that one, as there wasn’t a doubt in my mind.
“I do.”
“And will you love and honor him for all of your days, whether rich or poor, in sickness or in health, for as long as you may dwell on this earth?”
“I will.”
My grandfather nodded. “You have the rings?”
We reached back to our dutiful assistants, who handed us the rings.
“Ethan, place the ring on Merit’s fourth finger.”
I glanced down, my lips parting as light glinted on the ring. It was a worn silver band, inscribed with a circle of forget-me-nots. An antique, but not the type you could buy in a store.
This had been my grandmother’s ring. Tears welled again, but refusing to cry, I looked up at my grandfather. He smiled at me, nodding.
He’d given the ring to Ethan for me because he wanted me to wear it, because I’d loved my grandmother with all my heart, and because he had, too.
“She’d want you to have it,” he said with a nod, his own eyes red rimmed.
My heart so full of love I feared it might burst, I looked back at Ethan, at my Master and warrior, who knew exactly how to honor what I’d known of love, and had generously agreed to share it here.
“Repeat after me,” my grandfather said. “I offer you this ring, Merit, as a symbol of my love and commitment.”
“I offer you this ring,” Ethan said, voice as clear as the emeralds of his eyes, “as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment.” He smiled at the addition and slid the ring onto my finger.
“Merit,” my grandfather prompted, and I opened my palm, showed Ethan the ring I’d had made for him.
It was a platinum band, inscribed with the tiny oak leaves of his original family crest, taken from the shield that still hung in the House’s training room.
“Well,” he said, emotion bare on his face. He looked up at me, awe shining in his eyes.
“Place the ring on the fourth finger of Ethan’s hand,” my grandfather said, and I slipped the ring onto his finger.
“And repeat after me: I offer you this ring, Ethan, as a symbol of my love and commitment.”
I looked up at him. “I offer you this ring, Ethan, as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment.” I slid the ring home.
My grandfather smiled. “By the power vested in me by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Forever, Ethan said, just for me.
Forever, I agreed, and could all but feel his love, powerful and strong, like a blanket around us both.
My grandfather smiled, lifted his arms. “You may kiss the vampire.”
Ethan wasted no time. His eyes gleaming with power, with pride, he slid a hand around my neck and moved in for the kiss, which was powerful and deep, and singularly possessive.
Our family and friends stood, applauding and catcalling, but Ethan ignored them.
He let the kiss get just heated enough to singe before pulling back again.
The silver in his eyes glowed. “I love you,” he said. Mrs. Sullivan, he added in silence, just for me.