Diamond Kisses - Page 208

Krish was around here somewhere. Probably in the western gardens with Tiger, far away from the crush of people. We’d go sit with him afterward. Share in the quiet and some cake without all the mayhem.

Ily’s mum dabbed her eyes where she sat on the left and the entire crowd fell quiet as Ily glided toward me.

Priti babbled in my arms as Ily rolled her eyes, seeing who I held.

I shrugged.

She knew I was obsessed.

Knew I only had a finite amount of time I could stand to be away from her.

Priti—a Sanskrit name for kindness, grace, and love—had no idea who she’d been born to. I would make her life absolute hell when she got older. I’d be protective as fuck and downright annoying but…no man would ever love her as much as I did.

Ily kissed her father’s cheek as they reached the two steps to the podium.

Her sparkling silver sari dripped with simple crystals instead of expensive gemstones. Around her neck rested a silver circle that Krish had painstakingly etched with the flower of life. He’d asked if Ily wanted a stone called aventurine to match the one lost on Victor’s island.

She’d quickly shaken her head.

Neither of us had lost our aversion for any type of jewel.

That was why I’d struggled to find a wedding ring.

And why I’d had to have one made.

It burned a hole in my pocket as Ily stepped to face me and Priti reached for her mother.

Kissing our daughter’s outstretched hand, she grinned. “I didn’t know I was marrying you too, little fireheart.”

Fuck, my own heart turned into a furnace.

I burned.

I flamed.

I didn’t think I would ever find this level of joy and yet…I had.

I stood in fucking utopia surrounded by my favourite people and the monster in me agreed. In that moment, it didn’t crave blood or pain. It basked in total happiness and love. The two pieces of me forged together. Forever hers. Forever free.

“If you will all be seated.” The celebrant cleared his throat and smiled at the crowd.

The rustle of clothing and creak of chairs sounded in the hot summer afternoon. Not a cloud in the sky. The sun as golden as Ily’s eyes.

I needed to touch her. Hold her.

Glancing at Peter, I raised an eyebrow.

“You’re nuts.” He chuckled under his breath and held out his arms. “Come on then. Give me my goddaughter.”

I passed her over.

Priti chortled and grabbed Peter’s ear.

With my hands free, I palmed Ily’s ring and waited.

Everything around me faded.

The words of the celebrant.