Capturing the Devil

I could not wait to spend forever with my best friend, the dark prince of my heart.

“Beyond life, beyond death,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear, “my love for thee is eternal, Audrey Rose Cresswell.”

“You are my heart, my soul, my equal. You see the light in me when I’m lost within darkness. When I’m cold and distant, you’re as warm as autumn sunshine, bathing me in your glow. If I am the night, then you are the stars lighting up my endless dark.” His voice broke, wrenching my heart. “My best friend, the absolute love of my life, now until forevermore, I call you my wife.”

“Audrey Rose Wadsworth, love of my heart and soul, I long to spend forever with you by my side. If you’ll have me. Will you do me the tremendous honor of—”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, our lips brushing as I whispered, “Yes. A million times over, Thomas Cresswell. I want to spend forever adventuring with you.”

He’d promised me a lifetime full of them, and it seemed Mr. Thomas Cresswell—the crown fiend and love of my life—delivered on his promises. We’d finally emerged from the darkness that had stalked us all these months. Night no longer held dominion over our souls.

I tipped my head back, closing my eyes against the last rays of the sun, excited for wherever we were headed to next. Like the stars shining madly above, the number of our future adventures was infinite. I had no idea what tomorrow had in store for us, but I knew one thing with utter certainty: no matter what new chapter awaited, Thomas and I would turn that page together.

I stared into his loving eyes. He was right. I couldn’t dwell on what could have been, on a temporary weakness. In the end, I remembered who I was. I buried my face in his chest, never wanting to leave his side again. “It’s finally over.”

“And you went and had all the fun on your own again,” he said, feigning injury. “It really is quite inconsiderate of you.”

“Not true, dear friend. You had the joy of being poisoned. Not many people can live to tell the tale.”

“We both know you’re the hero.” He grinned. “It actually makes my dark heart race, seeing you take on the world.”

“Are you suggesting you’re impressed?”

“Let’s see, Wadsworth.” Thomas ticked off points on his fingers. “You’ve carved open dozens of bodies from London to Romania to America, been held at gunpoint beneath a castle once owned by Vlad the Impaler, got stabbed while defeating a deranged carnival, and have just captured the White City Devil. All before turning eighteen. I’m downright woozy with want. I beg you to ravish me now before I lose my mind.”

“I love you, Thomas Cresswell.” I kissed him gently. “With my whole heart.”

“Beyond life. Beyond death”—he nuzzled my neck, whispering—“my love for thee is eternal.”

“I adore when you say that.” I smiled against his lips. “Tell me, though. How long have you been practicing it for this moment?”

He nipped at my neck, eyes brimming with mirth. “Not nearly half as long as I’ve been plotting our next adventure, you delightfully cruel thing.”

“I almost killed him,” I confessed, my voice breaking. “I almost became the evil we fight against. I…”

Thomas placed his hands on either side of my face, his gaze straying to the gash in my head. I’d forgotten I was covered in my blood and Holmes’s.

“But you didn’t,” Thomas said. “Were I in your position, I’m not sure I’d be able to lay the same claim. You are far stronger than I am, my love. Don’t doubt your actions now.”

Our battle had begun and I was already losing.

“A mind is a powerful weapon, but it doesn’t have to be used wickedly,” I said. “That’s a choice.”

I command you, and if there’s a God, then I command Him and His angels, too. You will not die on me, Thomas Cresswell. Do you understand? I will kill you if you die!