Chapter 14 - THE PROMISE HE MADE WITHOUT A RING
Declan proposed two years later.
Not with a diamond.
Not with an extravagant party.
But with a promise.
They were sitting on a bench overlooking the ocean.
The sky was pink.
The air smelled of salt.
Declan looked nervous.
Mave noticed.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Declan.”
He sighed.
“I'm trying to be romantic.”
She laughed.
“Should I be worried?”
“Probably.”
He reached for her hand.
Then spoke.
“Mave, when you met me, I was angry at the world.”
She smiled.
“You were awful.”
He laughed.
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“I thought power meant never needing anyone.”
His eyes filled.
“Then you walked into my room and told me I couldn't threaten people into keeping me alive.”
Mave laughed through tears.
Declan continued.
“You taught me that love isn't control.”
“It's choice.”
He squeezed her hand.
“And every day, I choose you.”
Mave began crying.
“Will you marry me?”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
Declan closed his eyes.
“Really?”
She laughed.
“Yes, you impossible man.”
May you like
He kissed her.
And for the first time, Declan Hayes felt certain that his future was something worth living for.
