Chapter 40

Shay

“Anjal asked me again if I wanted to get married? If it was a dream of mine?” Cill tells me while opening a bottle of wine in the kitchen she shares with Anjal.

Jayce and Anjal went to Twins for the night.

“What did you say?”

“I have pictured my wedding many times over the years but not as much since meeting Jayce. Is that weird?”

I shrug. “As it’s not what children of Helios do, maybe your heart accepted that.”

“Maybe…What about my parents? After he asked, I thought they might want a wedding. You know, Dad walking me down the aisle.”

“Okay. Why don’t we do it together?”

“Has Jayce asked you?”

“No, but that’s not important. He’ll agree. We do it together. Save our parents some money. The herd only has to go to one wedding. We’ll have fun.”

“I thought you’d be relieved you don’t have to do the whole wedding hoopla.”

I pour another glass of wine. “Now that I have someone who worships me with his eyes, I could do the whole bride thing.”

Priscilla laughs while changing the subject. “I named Anjal’s bull Titus.”

“Like Andronicus? You hate that story.”

“True, but after watching Titus fight for me. When he asked for his name, I just knew. What Titus Andronicus did out of love for his family—my Titus would do all of that and more to keep me safe. Nothing is off limits when it comes to my safety and his love for me. No other name fits him.”

“Do you think they’ll be okay?” I ask.

“Anjal’s having trouble sleeping.”

“Jayce sleeps, but not all night.”

“I don’t think we have to worry too much about them. They’re not human and aren’t afraid to talk about what they’re feeling. I’m sure after a few beers, they might even shed some tears and hold each other,” Cill reassures me.

“How’s Jaime?” I saw him yesterday, but he said little.

“He’d probably benefit from some lessons on opening up. At least he doesn’t seem to hate us after his experience. He gets they were rotten apples.”

I pull my legs up under me. “Did Helios say anything to you and Anjal?”

She nods. Her eyes light up. “It feels private, though.”

It stings that she won’t tell me, but I still share what he told Jayce and me because Helio commanded us too.

“I agree with him. Everyone should know. It’s not barbaric. It’s beautiful.” A tear slips down Cill’s eye.

After another glass of wine, we cuddle under a blanket and watch Beaches. Sometimes we get in the mood to cry, so we put on a movie guaranteed to bring out the snot and tears. We don’t cry for us or what we’re going through. We cry because the movie is heartbreaking and takes us out of our heads.

By the time Anjal and Jayce return, we’ve had two bottles of wine, planned half our wedding, and bawled our eyes out over someone else’s pain.

“Baby, what’s the matter?” Jayce races to me and lifts me in his arms when he sees my puffy eyes.

I could argue that I’m fine, but I love being in his arms. I wrap mine around his neck and lean my head against his while he walks us home.

I vaguely hear Anjal tending to Cill, who cried harder than me when Hilary lay in the hospital bed saying goodbye to CC. She always does.

Jayce carries me home, places me in bed, and climbs in with me. “Are you going to tell me what upset you? Who do I have to hurt?”

I kiss his cheek. “We were just watching one of our favorite movies. I’m fine.”

“And that upset you? Why would you call it one of your favorites?”

“Sad movies are sometimes good. When the writer makes a movie with characters so real that you fall in love with them and their story in less than two hours, it’s amazing. Yeah, I cry, but I just lived a lifetime outside of myself. It’s poetic.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever watched a movie or show that made me love fictional characters.”

“Not even Titanic?”

“I’ve never seen it.”

“I’m making a list. All the movies that make me cry no matter how many times I watch them.”

Jayce sighs. “You’re going to make me sit next to you while you weep? That alone will bring tears to my eyes.”

I kiss his lips this time. “Trust me. You’ll forget all about me while you’re caught up with Jack and Rose.”

“One day. We have our whole lives.”

He promised.

“Speaking of…”

He pulls me closer. “What?”

“Anjal asked Cill if she wanted a wedding. We talked and decided a double ceremony would make it simpler.”

“Why, Shay, are you proposing?”

“Nope, I’m telling you it’s already done.”

“Are you now?” He pulls me down flat on my back while hovering over me.

I nod and bite my lip.

He slides his hands up under my shirt and cups my breasts.

I think Dr. Lanny needs the biggest thank you gift ever.