Final Debt

I gasped as his voice broke. “Nila ‘Threads’ Weaver. Will you do me the absolute honour of accepting this ring, this man, this future? I offer you everything that I am and will become. I promise to adore you with every heartbeat and will forever protect you like I should've done from the day we met. Will you agree to be my best-friend and partner for the rest of our lives and continue to be so selfless with your love and kindness?”

He cleared his throat, forcing himself to continue. “In return, I promise to always love you, always protect you. I’ll be the anchor you need and will never do anything to hurt you again.”

I dropped to my knees before him. Knee to knee. Heart to heart. “I do. I accept and I promise you the same thing. I will never lie to you, hurt you, or keep things from you. I will always be there when you need me most.”

His lips crashed against mine. My fingers dove into his salt and pepper hair. Everything I’d been through was in order to deserve this. Him. The greatest trophy, gift, and reward I could ever have dreamed of.

With his lips on mine, Jethro slipped the engagement ring onto my finger. Snug, perfect, never to be removed just like my collar.

I’d turned from seamstress to diamond heiress with the amount I now wore. The huge stone glittered menacingly in a cushion cut with baguettes on either side.

I didn’t want to guess how many carats the ring held.

Breaking the kiss, Jethro murmured, “There’s something else in there. Something that isn’t for you, but I want you to see it.”

My eyebrow quirked, but I reached upward and plucked the pouch from the table. With the weight of my new engagement ring, I fumbled with the crepe.

Once it was unwrapped, I couldn’t stop the tears this time. I huddled over the necklace where a teardrop black diamond had been fashioned with gold scroll work and the wings of a hawk and a needle with thread in the fixings. It wasn’t just a necklace; it was a joining of our two houses. A gift for someone who would be treasured above any diamond or estate. A priceless necklace for a priceless child.

“You made this for our daughter.”

Jethro sucked in a breath. “How did you—”

I smiled, liquid glassing my vision and heart. “I know because I know you.” Stroking the diamond, I breathed, “You want a daughter over a son?”

His arms banded around me. “Nila, I want whatever you give me. But a daughter, if she’s firstborn, will be the end to everything. The debts will never take place again. She’ll be part Weaver, part Hawk, and I wanted her to have something to symbolise what a new beginning she will represent.”

“I love you.” I grabbed his cheeks. “I love you so damn much.”

His entire body melted in my hold, his adoration for me glowing in every facet. “I know. And I’ll never ever deserve it.”

Climbing to his feet, he helped me upright. Tugging me into an embrace, he kissed me softly. “There’s one other place I’d like to take you to, if you’d let me?”

My body curved into his like a comma. “I want to go wherever you want to take me.”

His gorgeous face lit with a sexy smile.

Thoughts of sealing our engagement with more than just a kiss crossed my mind.

When Jethro had bundled me into the car this morning and driven off the estate, I thought it was to complete a few errands or to stand beside me while I visited my assistants at Weaver Enterprises and give feedback on an up-and-coming design line.

Our life had become somewhat normal with work and businesses to run. I loved the normalcy but loved the magical alone times, too.

I would never have expected something as spellbinding as this to happen.

It is spellbinding.

We’d made promises in the heart of Diamond Alley to love, honour, and treasure each other for the rest of our lives. What else existed if those vows weren’t classified as a spell? A forever kind of spell. A spell that would keep our souls joined even after death.

My eyes fell on the large diamond on my finger.

I couldn’t stop looking at it. Flashing the black gemstone, revelling in how thoughtful and incredible my future husband was.

I ran a finger over the glossy surface. “I’ll never be able to thank you for what you’ve given me, Jethro. More than just an anchor. You’ve given me a home in your heart and made me belong.”

He grabbed my hand, squeezing my fingers tight. “I feel exactly the same way. Now, let’s go, so I can show you the next part of my plan.”

“The next part?” I laughed. “Careful, you might spoil me.”

He smirked. “You don’t know where I’m taking you yet. It might be an awful place.”

“I highly doubt it.” Tossing my hair away from my face, I smiled. “Tell me then. Where do you want to take me?”

Guiding me from the safe, he grinned. “You’ll see.”

“In here?” I looked over my shoulder as Jethro nodded.

We’d left Diamond Alley and driven into a bustling local town where knickknacks and tourists decorated the streets.

“Yep.” Jethro bit his lip to stop from smiling.

“You want me to go into a coffee shop?”

He moved past me, pushing on the door until the chime above welcomed us into the decadent smell of coffee and sweets.

“But I don’t even like coffee. You know that.”

He smirked. “I know.”

“Then why—?”

“Stop asking questions and get in there.” Grabbing my wrist, he dragged me over the threshold and beelined for a tatty couch in the coffee shop window.