My wife smiled, shooting me the dimple, and causing my heart to flip. "It's my favorite place, the heart of your lair. I always know you'll find me here, dragon."
I chuckled softly and gathered her to me, lifting her onto my lap. She wrapped her arms around my neck and put her forehead against mine. "Another girl," she sighed happily.
I nuzzled her neck. "Hmm," I murmured. "Another woman to keep me under her thumb. It's almost like you planned it this way."
Kira laughed. "No, not planned it, just dreamed it. Dreamed of this life you've given me." She took my face in her hands and kissed my lips. "Thank you," she whispered against my mouth.
Gratitude and love overwhelmed me, and I brought my wife even closer, hugging her to my body and inhaling her sweet scent. And in that moment, I knew I would never again believe life didn't hold miracles. With her love, my beautiful little witch had transformed a place once filled with loneliness and pain into a place filled with joy and dreams. As we held each other, the age-old phrase whispered through the trees, the roses, and the grapevines beyond: In Vino Veritas. In wine there is truth.
But the greater knowledge that now lived in the peaceful silence of my heart was: in love there is truth.
And the truth that love had taught me was you can only be strong once you are brave enough to break, and that pain makes more room for love within. I was grateful for it all, because that was the beautiful balance of life.
Acknowledgements
As always, I had a lot of help writing this book.
Huge love and thanks to my storyline editor, Angela Smith, for helping me hone up the plot, and for believing in this story—even more than me at times. Thank you for being there from the first word to the last.
Immense gratitude to my developmental and line editor, Marion Archer. You are so talented and always full of such brilliant advice. The enthusiasm and diligence you put into this project is appreciated beyond measure.
Thank you to Karen Lawson who always makes me feel like the final product I'm putting out into the world is carefully and lovingly polished. That is such a gift to me.
To my extremely valued beta readers who read Grayson's Vow first and provided such incredibly helpful comments and suggestions; Cat Bracht, Natasha Gentile, Michelle Finkle, and Elena Eckmeyer (who gave my dragon and witch extra TLC by reading through my manuscript twice, and loved my dragon despite his fire-breathing, and loved my witch for poking at him until he melted).
Thank you to my wonderful agent, Kimberly Brower, who held my hand through this process in many, many ways. Thank you for always having my back in every endeavor. You are uncommonly generous with your time and care and never fail to make me feel as if I'm your only client. (And I have a feeling we all say that). AIADW forever!
To you, the reader, I wouldn't have the privilege of doing what I do without you and I never, ever take that for granted. Unending love and thanks!
To all the blogs who review and recommend my books—so very grateful for you all.
To my husband: I hardly know how to express my thanks to you for all your help and support with this story . . . the extensive plot talk—in cars, restaurants, bed, while brushing teeth—my endless questions, endless doubts, and the endless amount of time I spent in my own head trying to craft these characters. The vow I made to you has led to more joy than I ever dared to dream.