We’d exchanged our vows in numerous ways. We’d proven our words weren’t empty against sickness or health. We’d solidified every promise. Brought truth to every claim.

We wore each other’s brand and mark.

We were no longer separate people. We were one.

One of the same.

My heart thrilled faster as Q tugged me downward, a hard smile on his lips. His mouth landed on mine and the marquee, guests, and everything else shot from comprehension. His tongue entered, dancing in a ceaseless waltz.

His dark taste unlocked the final piece of the true Tess. My journey was over. I’d gone from weak to strong to tamed. I’d gone from lost to scared to found.

The sun rose inside, spreading golden tendrils through my body, coaxed deeper by every lick. My core rippled, desperate for physical connection. I was no longer cold and confused. I was no longer alone and unloved.

I was home.

For always.

Q deepened the kiss, combusting the sun into a raging ball of fire. Heated lust stole my limbs, pebbling my ni**les, drawing wetness between my legs.

Breathing hard, he let me go. “I need you alone. Now.”

The moment Q pulled away, the celebrant raised his voice. “It is my greatest honour to present to you for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer.”

Mr. and Mrs.

My heart tripled its wingbeats.

Our friends clapped and rice rained from above, full of black glitter. The little pricks of confetti stung but I wasn’t contained by my flesh anymore. I’d expanded to something so much more.

Q wrapped his arms around me. Plucking me from the pedestal, he slowly lowered my body down his. Every slip was delicious torture. The heat of him. The hardness of him.

My feet touched the ground; Q smiled. “Hello, Mrs Mercer.”

I moaned as his hand slinked up my side, deliberately catching the side of my breast. “Hello, Mr. Mercer.”

“I’m so glad fate gave me you,” he whispered.

“I’m so glad I deserve you.”

His eyes darkened. “You deserve so much more than me, esclave. But it’s too late. You’re mine, and I’m never letting you go.” Time stood still as we stared into each other’s eyes.

His hand cupped my cheek, hot, claiming. “We did it.”

I accepted his feathery kiss. “We’re married.”

Q kissed me. “Nous ne faisons qu’un.” We are one.

Chapter Sixteen

My absolution

My treasure

It was done.

Tess was mine.

Legally.

Spiritually.

Every f**king way she was mine.

My fingers tightened on the leash, dragging her closer. I loved having control. Having her restrained in such a debasing but incredibly powerful way. The anxiety I’d carried finally faded. I had what I needed. I had her oath. I owned her soul.

My lips captured hers again, tangling with two emotions. I wanted to strip her right there and take her—injuries be damned, witnesses be f**ked. But at the same time, I wanted to beat Frederick and Franco for forcing my truth to light.

They had no right to dress Tess that way, or provoke me into accepting there was nothing wrong with our relationship. Suzette had been out of bounds.

I was going insane having Tess half-naked. She was my wife. I wanted her covered.

But then you won’t be able stare.

And I wanted to stare. So damn much. Tess was a f**king masterpiece. Full and feminine and so f**king tempting.

Pulling away, I readjusted my rock-hard cock. It hadn’t calmed down since I’d set eyes on her when she entered the marquee. Her white dress had been stunning. She’d been stunning.

She still is.

I groaned, drinking in her garter belts and lace. Goddammit, I had no willpower. No control. She may wear the collar but she dragged me around by my cock. I panted for her. I would sit at her feet and f**king beg just for a taste. One glorious taste.

“Shit, Tess…I need you. I need to sink inside you and come. I’m going to explode.”

My c**k hurt jammed in my trousers. My balls throbbed with the need to come. It didn’t matter my body was drained. My shakes weren’t just from nerves but agony slicing through the painkillers. Nothing would stop me from taking her. I didn’t care if I was slightly lightheaded and queasy. Sex. Sex would make it all better. Sex with Tess.

Happiness danced down my spine.

Sex with my wife.

Tess laughed, patting my na**d chest. I hissed between my teeth as her gentle touch caught a bruise. The pain and pleasure shot to my cock, rippling with need.

This isn’t a laughing matter, esclave. I’ll turn your smiles into moans of ecstasy.

“I need you, too. But you need to rest, Q. Don’t expect me to bow to you tonight.”

“Bow to me? I want you so f**king much I’d ignore the safe-word with how much I need you.”

Tess looped her arms around my back, following my tattoo. “Sparrow, Q. Sparrow until I get you into bed.”

I groaned, anger giving me energy to get through the next few minutes. “You can say sparrow all you like, but it won’t stop me from taking you.”

Taking the final piece of you.

Her lips parted, understanding my unsaid threat. “You can’t—you need to heal.”

Grabbing her close, I muttered, “I’ll heal when my c**k is inside your beautiful ass. Now say your goodbyes. We’re leaving.”

Reluctantly, I let her go.

With wide eyes, she moved away to hug Suzette. The leash on her collar tugged my fist. I opened my fingers, letting it slip free.

She was swallowed by the small crowd, all wishing congratulations. Every guest stole time with my wife. Time. That bitch was yet again getting in the way of me and my goal.

Tess disappeared under well-wishes—the only part of her visible was her loose curls and black feather headdress. Shit, I needed to cover her. I cursed everyone staring at her beauty. I wanted to gorge their eyes out for seeing what was mine, but smug male pride tempered my rage. She was mine. Not theirs. They would never be allowed to touch. Only me.

Didn’t f**king matter though. My c**k was too hard. My instincts too feral.

I stormed forward, tugging at my jacket to throw over Tess’s body.

Then darkness smothered my world as the little cocksucker who spoke out during the wedding, wriggled through the crowd and intercepted Tess. He tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned to him.

She turned to him, smiling, wearing the f**king sexiest corset and black lingerie. Her br**sts tantalized, spilling over the supple leather. Her long legs closed the distance in a hug.