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“Say you’ll always be mine,” she pants.

“I’ll forever be yours, Jordie.”

When I feel her walls tightening around me, I pick up the pace, further pressing my thumb into her clit. Her moans invade all my senses and warm liquid spills out into the condom as her body convulses on top of me. It’s a beautiful sight.

We both slump on the bed. Her forehead rests on my shoulder, and my hands lazily rub her bare back, clutching her closer to me while we bask in the silence. Just me and her.

“I love you,” she whispers.

I cup her cheek while her eyes—full of bliss—flicker over my face. “I love you, Jordie.”

I start with the top button and work my way down as we tidy ourselves up to rejoin that riveting party.

All I want to do is stay here with her forever.

There has to be a way for us to be together. Some way. Some loophole in our religion.

I’m lost in my thoughts because I don’t notice I’ve gotten closer to her until my hand grips hers, cupping it with the other. “It doesn’t have to be like this.” The words just tumble out.

Her brows form a crease in the middle. “What doesn’t?”

“This. Us. Hiding from everyone.”

She shakes her head and turns, pulling stray strands of hair from her back, allowing me to zip up her dress. “You know it would only end with both of us buried.” She turns, those ocean eyes filled with apologies as her lips turn down. “I would love nothing more than to tell them. But you know it would never work. There’s too much at risk. If they ever found out we’re not… pure and what would happen to you—”

“The worst that would happen is I get banished and labelled a sinner.” That’s a lie. Father would kill me. I would take the worst of it because I’m a man. Jordie would get away with the lighter of punishments.

“And I don’t want that for you,” she argues, folding her arms across her chest, heel tapping on the black carpet. “I would get away with something light, but you… They would beat you black and blue, Kain.”

“But it would be worth it for you.”

A longing look emerges on her face. “It would hurt you so bad.” Her voice is quiet as she speaks.

“I’d endure it for you, what don’t you understand?” I’m pleading with her now. “Or we can run. Get out of this fucking town.”

“It will never work.”

“Jordie, I know you’re scared but it can. I will tell them. You don’t have to do anything. Or-or we can set pictures up. Have them sent anonymously so they find out that way—”

“Kain.” She cuts me off, placing her hand on my chest. “We will do this for as long as we have to. We’ll do it until we both stand at that altar and vow till death do us part. But I’m not risking your life. I’m not risking our lives. So, please”—she tilts her head, her fingers wrap round the back of my neck—“let’s just keep hidden. For now. I promise, we will find a way.” She places a kiss on my lips, then picks her small handbag off the floor, opens the door, letting warm light into the room before the door closes again, shrouding me in a lonely darkness.

My head slumps. I know she’s right. But I want the world to know she’s mine. I want to scream about our love from the rooftops.

I wish one day we can. Maybe they’ll finally find a spouse for Dorrian and they’ll forget about me. Maybe one day there won’t be traditions, restrictions, or they’ll be more open to changing.

But maybe that day isn’t today. Nor is it anytime soon.

6

Jordan

Present Day

“No fucking way.” I take a step back from the butler, eyes widening at the door like it’s going to eat me alive.

“These were my instructions, miss. There’s no other room in the castle. They’re… inhabitable.” He turns the door handle and pushes the door open. “All your things are already here.”

“This has to be a mistake. There’s no way they willingly put me here,” I speak my thoughts out loud.