Chapter Twenty-Five
Anna
“You’re sure you’re okay with this?”
She nodded. “Yes. Yes I am.”
“You know Senator Lee is still out there. He escaped in the battle.”
“I know. But he’s never going to be the same. You saw the footage I saw, Caine. He got caught in the blast zone of that dragon’s gas-grenade thing. His face and side were melted horrifically. He’s never going to be the same ever again. He’s going to lose everything. That’s actually a worse fate, I think, than being granted a swift death.” She grinned, feeling no remorse for what was going to happen to Lee. “He’s going to lose everything, but it will be slow. Bit by bit. It will be stripped from him, leaving him with little to go on.”
Caine walked ahead of her, reaching the end of the aisle and then turning down the next, his eyes glazing over at row after row of cushions. He was a little overwhelmed at the size of the home décor store. “I guess. But you aren’t worried that if you move in with me and settle down, he might send someone after you?”
She snickered. “Look how well that worked out for him the first time. No, I think we’re done seeing him.”
“Annalise Walker?”
Caine was instantly at her side, standing just a hair in front of her, in case she needed protecting.
“Yes?”
“These are for you.” A man dressed in a smart courier uniform handed her a manila envelope, and then his reader for her to sign with her finger. She did, looking strangely at the letterhead.
“What are these?”
“Divorce papers.” The courier hit something on his reader and then nodded at her. “Thank you.” He hurried off toward the exit of the store.
Anna stared up at Caine, stunned. “How the hell did he find us here?”
“I have no idea.” Her mate was eying the envelope. “So you’re officially divorced now?”
She shrugged. “Kind of hard to hold up a marriage that was performed without my consent, against my will, was never consummated, and had many cases of infidelity on his part.”
A strange part of her felt relieved. Like the book on her old existence was finally closed, and she could truly move on. She looked forward to starting a new life.
“So, can you handle having a single woman living with you?” she teased.
It had taken her a week and more after the battle of the cavern for her to feel truly comfortable with the decision to move in with Caine, but once she’d committed to it, Anna hadn’t planned on stopping.
Caine snorted. “I hope you realize that as soon as those are signed and you’re comfortable with it, there’s going to be a ring on your finger again.”
“Oh yeah?”
He held up a hand. Ice curled up from his palm, forming a perfect circle, topped with a glittering jewel of ice. “Very.” The ring melted away. “But once you’re ready. There’s no rush. We’re going to have a very long time together, my love.”
My love.
Anna smiled. “This isn’t just some elaborate plan to get into my pants, is it?”
Caine frowned. “I was in your pants last night. Twice, if I remember. Also this morning. And I will be again when we get home. So no, I don’t think so.”
“You seem pretty confident about what’s going to happen later! Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
He swept her off her feet, whirling her around. “Well, if my memory is correct, I’m pretty sure you were the one that told me what was going down when we got back.”
She blushed, knowing her cheeks had to be nearly glowing red at the reminder. Her palm still stung from where she’d smacked it against his rear. It wasn’t fair that it hurt her to do that. He was just too muscular!
Scratch that, she thought, clinging to his chest as he carried her up the aisle. She was quite content with his build. Quite content.
A tear dripped from her eye.
This was what she’d been missing her entire life. For three and a half decades, Anna had gone without feeling truly loved.
“Thank you,” she whispered, snuggling in close to Caine once more, ignoring the looks from the other shoppers.
Caine made a confused sound, but he didn’t question the situation. He just held her tight.
It was exactly what she needed.
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This concludes Dragon Rebellion, Ice Dragons Book 3.
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