When he finally pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, both of their breaths were heavy in the quiet room.
"I love you, Lord Grayson," Mailah whispered into the dark space between them.
Grayson's dark eyes glowed with a deep, unshakeable light. He pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of her nose, then to her chin, before tightening his arms around her.
"And I am entirely, hopelessly yours," Grayson murmured. "Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow morning, I have an administrative victory to execute."
The next morning, the sun broke over the mountain ridge in a brilliant, golden blaze, burning away the last wisps of valley fog and painting the timber estate in warm, amber light.
At precisely ten o'clock, the heavy brass bell at the front portal chimed once.
