My fingers pressed against his lips, stopping his words. “My only concern is for you.”

I lifted my hand, and he offered me a soft smile. “I will live, Mia. I will live and spend the rest of my life loving you.”

“You’d better,” I said, wiping away my tears. “Or I’ll kill you.”

He chuckled. Our palms met, and we held each other, knowing we might never let go.

The day Kyrin was released from the hospital, healthy and whole, was the same day he and Lilla were exonerated of all charges. Smiling—I just couldn’t seem to stop doing that lately—I drove him to his house. I thought to give him a little time alone, to heal, but he took my hand and led me inside.

“There’s something I want to show you,” he said.

“Please don’t tell me it’s a feather boa and a cowboy hat.”

He chuckled. “Nothing like that, I promise you.” He ushered me into his office and placed a kalandra in my hand. His kalandra. “Look,” he said.

Brow furrowed, I glanced down. I gasped. Inside the locket was a lifelike picture of me, and I was embracing Kyrin. I blinked up at him. “I don’t understand.”

“I told you each necklace holds a legacy for the owner. You have always been my destiny, Mia. Always.” With that, he enfolded me in his embrace. “I knew it the moment I saw you. You are a dominating, powerful halfling with attitude, and our time together will certainly be interesting.”

I pushed him onto the couch. “You better believe it will.” I had a feeling our adventure had only begun.