My silence seems to be enough for Nolan because he smiles. And for just a moment, in the darkened room, with only a roaring fire beside us lighting the space, I consider a future where Nolan and I are mates.

As if he can see inside my head, his smile widens.

“I can give you such a beautiful life, Aerin. You would never want for anything.”

“But I—”

Reaching across the table, Nolan takes my hand in both of his. They’re cold. Even if we’d been out in the garden all day or hiking ...