Tears slammed into the backs of Lily’s eyes. “You have?” Hope filled her chest. “Why haven’t you said anything?”
Janie shook her head. “I know not to mess with Fate that way. You have to choose your own path and not be influenced by one of the many futures I may see. Otherwise, your knowing could mess the whole thing up. But, since you’ve already seen the little guy, I feel fine confirming that I’ve seen him, too.”
Lily gasped out a smile and a cough. “He will exist,” she murmured, her arms already aching to hold him.
Caleb and Dage walked into the infirmary on cue. Lily’s heart settled as her gaze ran over Caleb’s form. His back had been burned, and several bruises mottled his chiseled face, looking quite at home there. The Realm Rebel was a handsome one, that was for sure. She’d tell him privately about the babe. “How are you?”
“Fine.” He ducked his head to study her bandage. “How is your neck?”
“Janie stitched me up.” Lily slipped a hand through Caleb’s. “Escort me back to my quarters, will you?”
“Absolutely.” Caleb jerked his head toward Guiles. “What’s the plan? I’m happy to cut off his head.”
Dage sighed. “Beheading isn’t the plan. Frankly, I’m not sure what to do with a prophet who has gone rogue.” The king shrugged. “You should’ve killed him at the Kurjan compound. It would certainly have simplified matters.”
“I had my hands full.” Caleb truly did regret allowing Guiles to live. “But I do wonder. If we kill him, who will be marked next?” Nobody in their right mind would’ve expected Caleb to end up with the marking. The entire process was random, as far as he was concerned.
Guiles listened to the exchange with his mouth opening and closing like a trout on a line.
Dage frowned. “The Kurjans have contacted us with their desire to continue with the peace talks, even without Franco. We may need Guiles there.”
Caleb growled. “I know we have to go forward with the peace talks, but I vote we cut off Guiles’s head and find a new prophet.”
“I’ll think about it,” Dage said
With a shrug, Caleb turned and escorted Lily out of the infirmary.
She swallowed, her mind spinning. Very nice vampire muscles caressed her palm, reminding her of his incredible strength. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
He glanced down even as they walked outside into the weak fall sunshine and along sidewalks toward the main lodge. “You were doing fine on your own, but you’re welcome anyway. Why the tone?”
“What tone?” She paused as he opened the door to the main lodge for her.
“The polite one that has me wanting to strip you naked and make you beg.” His tone remained level, but the undercurrent of passion beneath the words sent a sharp shiver down Lily’s spine.
She cleared her throat. If they were about to fight, she wanted privacy. Without another word, she led the way to his quarters. It’d be easier to leave his place than kick his butt out of hers.
Sidling inside, she turned and removed the diamond earrings. “I take it these weren’t really from you.” She dropped them into his palm.
His upper lip curved. “When did you figure it out?”
She lifted a shoulder. The foolishness she felt now was as intense as her giddiness at thinking he’d actually bought them for her. “I don’t know. Maybe when the vampires tracked us without our having tracking devices in our heels. Why me?”
Caleb took her hand and placed the diamonds gently in the middle of her palm. “Franco wanted you, and we knew he’d take a chance at some point. I asked Dage for an additional tracker for you, and he had them made out of the diamonds.”
“I see.” And here she’d thought Caleb had spent time looking for a present for her.
“Put them back in, Lily.”
“No.” Yes, she was being unreasonable. For once, she didn’t care.
“That wasn’t a request.” He appeared more curious than angry.
She wanted to throw the stunning jewels at his face, but enough of acting like the rebel. “I said, no.”
His smile promised sin. “There’s the woman I’ve wanted to tame for centuries.”
Heat flowed through her veins like a shot of tequila. “Don’t be a jackass, Caleb.”
“Why not?” He stalked closer, bringing heat and the scent of male with him. “You can hide from the world behind a polite smile and sophisticated small talk, but I see the woman beneath the prophet. The one who told Fate to fuck off.”
Those weren’t exactly the words she’d used. “I’m not some defenseless lady you can order around.”
“I know. You’re a fighter, Lil.” He brushed hair back from her face. “You were right, and I was wrong about your attending the peace talks. You’re strong enough both emotionally and physically. Shit. You’re probably the strongest person emotionally that I’ve ever met. In fact, if I had my guess, I’d say you even tamed Fate.”
Her chest warmed. “Could you repeat that?”
“No. But you’re the level head and the kind soul we need to make peace happen, if it’s possible.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her forehead.
“You believe in peace?” The breath caught in her throat.
“I’m not sure. But I believe in you, and that’s enough for me.” He took the earrings and gently slipped them back into her ears. “Though I need you safe. I love you, and your safety is my only concern.”
Her world crashed to a stop. “Um—could you repeat that?”
“I love you, Prophet Lily Sotheby.” He captured her in a kiss that went deeper than the physical moment, sending pleasure through her every nerve. Releasing her, he leaned back and reached behind the sofa for a worn paper album. “Here’s the present I was actually going to give you on your birthday.”
She frowned and took the album, flipping it open to reveal a black-and-white photograph of a lily floating on a tumultuous river. The shadows and movement were perfectly captured. “It’s beautiful.” She turned the page to see a lone wolf baying at a harvest moon surrounded by trees. “So is this.” The entire book was full of photographs.
“I took them—each one reminding me of something about you.” He shrugged and took the heavy book to place it on the table. “We can go through the rest later, and I’ll tell you where I was and what I was thinking. For years, I’ve taken these, feeling you next to me each time.”
Tears pricked her eyes, while her heart swelled. The Realm Rebel was a romantic at heart. And that heart belonged to her. “I should’ve chosen love instead of duty, Caleb. I do this time.” She jumped into his arms, clasping his neck with her arms and his hips with her legs. “I love you.” He’d never be a true prophet, but maybe the real Fate had wanted a soldier in his position. Either way, she was on Caleb’s side. Always. “And the vision about the babe—it was true. He’ll exist.”
“I know. I promised you that, didn’t I?” Caleb’s lips hovered over hers, the vow even living in his eyes. “I know we can’t mate until the virus is cured, but how about we follow the human customs?”
She grinned and pressed her lips against his. Warmth and belonging shot through her as she leaned back. “Was that a proposal?”
“Yes.”
“Then I say yes.”
Possession and promise glittered in his eyes. “Forever, Lily.”