Page 128 of Lightning Angel
“And why is that?” Alexa asked. If the woman wasn’t trying to earn Tristan’s trust so badly by sending him a shielding bracelet, she would’ve doubted her intentions.
Jude pressed his lips together, a sign of his frustration. “She’s doing your boyfriend a lifetime favor, Lexi. Isn’t she allowed to set one simple condition for her service?”
“Aftershe cursed him in the first place, you mean?” She retorted with a glare. “I can’t believe you’re defendingher! Do I need to remind you that he was only three—barely a child, when she did this to him?”
“Sorry,” he muttered and dropped his gaze to the floor briefly before meeting her eyes again. “But I have no say in her conditions. You should count it lucky though, that she’s making such an effort and is willing to do this. Twenty-four is too young to die.” He glanced at Tristan. “I advise you to drop the grudge you hold against her and grab this opportunity. Your fate is inyourhands now. But try not to delay the trip past mid-summer; it’s better if you stick to her timing.”
Tristan glanced at Alexa before he nodded at Jude, his face void of emotions.
“You can call me once you’ve made your decision, and we’ll book the flight after my exams.” Jude shifted on his feet, planting his hands into the pockets. “Lexi has my number.”
Alexa’s face flushed. Did he really think shestillhad his number in her contacts? “I don’t.”
Jude’s face dropped.
“That’s alright.” Tristan fished out his phone and gave it to Jude. He typed his number into it and gave it back.
After a beat of awkward silence, Jude turned to the door. “I’m leaving then.”
Alexa nodded, and the moment the door closed behind him, she flung her arms around Tristan’s neck and hugged him tight. Tristan’s arms closed around her, crushing her to him, his face burying into her hair.
“For a moment I…”
“Me too,” she choked out, nestling her face into the crook of his neck.
“All I could think about was you and being forced to leave you behind.” He stroked her hair, his voice breaking slightly.
“And I felt my whole life flash before my eyes,” she said. “I even planned my next three years if they’re all I get to have with you. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life.Oh, Tristan!”
A tear slipped free.
“I’ll never leave you alone,” he crooned into her ear.
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know yet.” Tristan sighed. “Do you?”
“There is nothing I want more than to believe I’ll get to grow old with you.”
Tristan stilled in her hold and pulled away to look at her face with undisguised surprise. “You want to grow old with me?”
She gave him a shy smile, blinking away the rest of the tears from her eyes. “First, I want to marry you.”
His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Really?”
“If you want my official answer, ask me.” She grasped onto his t-shirt.
“And you don’t think it’s too soon for us to discuss marriage already.” It wasn’t a question, and he was grinning, like the shining sun itself.
She smiled sadly. “What if I tell you all that I planned for my future in mere seconds, when I thought I’d lose you so soon?”
“Tell me.”
“Marry you.” Fresh tears crammed into her eyes. “Cherish the time we have together, make unforgettable memories, and be the mother of your child, so I’ll havehimto live for when—when—” She swallowed the wordsand took a deep breath to compose herself.
“Oh, angel…” Tristan pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.
“Ican’timagine a life without you, Tristan.” Her lips quivered. “You’ve become my life. You are my everything now.”