"I was always angry enough to believe you at those times. But when I think of how easily you could have put my mind at ease—"
"How is that? How was I supposed to prove my innocence, except by giving myself to you? And when I did, it didn't prove anything, did it?"
He flushed at the reminder. "I have to ask your forgiveness for that, and for doubting you even last night, when you were finally sincere."
"No, you don't," she said gently and felt it was safe now to approach him. This she did, laying a hand on his scarred cheek. "What you said last night made up for everything, Stefan. You said my past no longer mattered, and that told me that you love me. You do love me, don't you?"
"More than I thought it possible to love anyone," he said with feeling. But there was still the slightest uncertainty lurking in his sherry-gold eyes, and she knew why when he added, "My scars really don't bother you?"
"Of course they do," she said flippantly just before she leaned upward and kissed each one of them. "They are so grossly grotesque, after all."
He grinned and wrapped his arms around her. "I suppose I will get used to that sarcastic wit of yours. "
"You'd better. It will probably be around as long as I am, and you're stuck with me."
"If you can bear my ugly face, do you think you could also love me, even with my horrid temper and—"
"I just happen to like your horrid temper. It lands me in the nicest places. " He laughed, but she wasn't through. "Stefan, I swore I would never marry any man, that I would never put myself willingly in a position where a man could have so much control of my life. That I am very willing to marry you ought to tell you something."
"That you already love me?"
"Yes, you foolish man."
The joy in the smile that came to his lips made him so handsome just then, it nearly dazzled her. "I think we should get married, Tanya mine—if you are over your upset."
"What upset? You just try and keep me away from that church today, my Majesty."
"That's your Majesty," he corrected her.
Tanya just grinned. "I know. From now on, you're all mine."
The End