What he didn’t know was, I’d already met Zella by then and I knew we’d be together eventually.

But I didn’t tell him that. In fact, he knows nothing about her. He’s in for quite a surprise when we get home.

Stopping by the trellis, I turn to Zella and take her hands in mine.

Sudden panic strikes me when I realize I don’t have anything to give her. I pat my pockets as though I can make necklaces or rings appear. A few gold coins jingle under my fingers. I can’t give her money. That would be lame.

“I don’t have our objects of commitment,” I admit, ashamed.

She smiles softly. “That doesn’t matter to me. The only thing I want is you.”

I blow out a breath. How did I get so lucky?

“Zella, Princess of the Day Realm, will you take me, Keryth, King of the Night Realm, as your husband?”

Her heart skips a happy beat, and I can feel it echo in mine.

“You’re absolutely positive you want to do this now?” she asks, glancing around at the empty space. “Without your family.”

“That doesn’t matter.” With a smirk, I throw her words back at her. “The only thing I want is you.”

She grins. “Then, yes. I will.”

“And I take you as my wife.” I lean in to kiss her, sealing our promise with a kiss before uttering the vows I’ve ached to say for four long years. “From dawn ‘til dusk, from dusk ‘til dawn, I’ll never love another.”

With our foreheads touching, she looks into my eyes as she repeats, “From dawn ‘til dusk, from dusk ‘til dawn, I’ll never love another.”

I feel the familiar flutter of a solid oath in my chest.

It’s done.

Well, almost.

We still have to consummate the bond.

My cock twitches at the thought. From the way Zella’s breath hitches as her eyes roam my body, I’d say she’s thinking about the same thing.

Without hesitation, I pick her up and take to the sky, heading toward a hidden cave.

CHAPTER 7

Zella

The waterfall I saw earlier comes into view as Keryth circles down. At first, I think he’s going to put us under the cascade, but he makes a sharp left and lands on a rock ledge behind it.

“Thirsty?” he asks. I nod, and he cups a large leaf that’s growing out of the wall of dirt and rocks. “Tilt your head back and open your mouth.”

Keeping my eyes connected with his, I do as he says. He tips the leaf forward and a trickle of water flows from it. I catch the liquid on my tongue and make a content sound as I swallow. It’s cold and refreshing.

“Waterfall mist?” I gulp some more.

“Yes.” Keryth smiles, moving from leaf to leaf until I’ve had my fill.