Having lost the man she loved to the cold clutches of suicide, Amara's impulsive decision to join him leads her to accept the marriage proposal of a mysterious stranger she shares a drink with at a bar.
Xelan's weddings were an awful affair, with ea...
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"What?" Amara asked in surprise. The moonlight shone on her saviour's black hair, giving it a silvery look.
"I'm asking you to marry me," he repeated, searching her eyes. His request didn't sound anymore sane the second time and the absurdity brought back their present position to her attention.
"It's hard to process what you're saying while in the air like this."
"My apologies," he said with a chuckle and rose with her to sit on the rail while she floated between his legs. She held on to his clothed arms, gulping.
"You seem scared for someone who was trying to end her life not too long ago," he whispered in her ear without attempting to hold her.
She scoffed, still digging her nails in his biceps. The lack of visible flooring aided her fear of being surprised at any moment.
"Well, excuse my inconsistency. I'm not used to floating mid-air. Could you put me down on the solid ground or let me go now, please?" she implored. The ravenette leaned forward, clasping his hands together.
"Depends on your answer to my previous question," he replied, his eyes taking a mystical gleam even with the presence of darkness in them. Amara stared at them, her heart hammering in her chest.
"What are you?" she asked.
He looked on with amusement. "Not human, as you already guessed." His smile dropped soon enough when he saw the panic in her eyes and he covered her hands with his own. "I don't intend to harm you. I only want to offer a painless death compared to what you are about to do."
"And how's that not harming me?" she asked.
Mystery man smiled again, looking up at the moon. "Hmm, good point. Consider it as me helping you harm yourself."
Just how much did she drink? She closed her eyes and shook her head in an attempt to sober herself up.
"You're not hallucinating if that's what you think."
She cursed, opening her eyes. Was her disbelief that visible? "It's sweet of you to ask but I'm not looking for a commitment."
He cocked his head. "Whoever said it was a commitment?"
"I'm pretty sure saying till death do us part is a commitment."
He brushed back her coily hair, smiling. There was a hint of sadness to it, downplaying the mirth it should have displayed. "Well, I have a certain... predicament that doesn't allow anyone married to me live past midnight. It will be a quick and painless death. You only have to say the vows and go to bed. When your eyes open, you will be in the Afterlife."
She searched his face, waiting to see if his face would light up in laughter. But he remained expressionless and serene, holding her gaze. Even though he assured this was all real, she could have sworn she was dreaming. If not, how on earth did she end up hovering just above death, engaging in a conversation with a man who was 'not human'?
