desires on her or to take away her ability to choose.
“I’m here because I want to be here, Cipher.” She hoped to reassure him. “If I change my mind, I promise you’ll be the first to know.”
He exhaled a long, steady breath and nodded. “Good.” When she let go of his wrist, he ran his fingers down her bare arm. “You look beautiful in this dress.”
She blushed and spread her hands over the sunny fabric dotted with white flowers. “Thank you.”
“I tried to find something more similar to what you normally wear, but Naya didn’t have anything in her shop in the correct sizes. Dizzy offered to have you come by her studio sometime this week for measurements so she can make things for you.”
She hadn’t met the other wives yet, but Cipher had told her about them. She was eager to make new friends and hoped they would like her. “I like the dress. I haven’t worn one in a long time. It's nice to have something pretty and new.”
“You can have all the pretty, new things you want,” Cipher assured her. “After you’ve had time to adjust to life on the ship, I’ll have Dizzy or Naya take you down to the women’s only sector. You can shop and buy all the things you need.”
“I don’t need much,” she insisted. “I can make do.”
“I know you can.” He stroked her face. “You don’t have to make do anymore. I’ll take care of you now.”
She had to swallow down the emotion that welled up inside her. Wanting to be always honest with him, she admitted, “I’ve wanted someone to take care of me for so long. I'm so tired of being strong and alone. I know I can take care of myself, but the thought of having someone else take care of me is like a dream.”
“You’ll be safe here with me, Brook,” he promised. “I’ll provide for you and any children we have. I’ll make sure you have what you need and more. I’ll take care of you—in every way.”
She met his dark gaze and understood he meant in every way. The idea of being stripped naked by him, tumbled into bed and shown what real pleasure was made her almost dizzy with excitement. She had heard enough rumors to know what happened in the bedrooms of the sky warriors. They did things. Naughty things. Decadent things. Dangerous things.
And she wanted to know all those things.
“I have something else I want you to wear.” Cipher reached into the pocket of his pants and retrieved a stark white collar with a shiny buckle. “May I?”
She had read the pamphlets and welcome guide for new brides. She knew exactly what the collar meant and why it was so important that she wear it for him. She supposed some women fought against it, maybe even hated it, but she couldn’t wait to feel it on her skin. She wanted to belong to him. She wanted everyone to know she was under his protection.
Wordlessly, she slid off the tall bed until the leather soles of her new slipper like shoes touched the cold floor. She presented her back to him and swept her long braid off of her neck and over her shoulder. Cipher stepped closer, and his body heat penetrated her back and made her want to lean into him. He draped the opened collar around her neck, placing it low enough that it wouldn’t irritate and buckled it with enough room for him to slide his finger under it.
His heavy hands rested on her shoulders, and he bent down, his breath tickling her skin before he placed tender kisses above and below the collar. “I will never harm you. I will never force you. I will never leave you behind. I will take care of you for the rest of our lives.”
His words were spoken like vows. He didn’t love her, and she didn’t love him—yet—but he was giving her the promises a man gave to his wife. He meant every word, and she wanted him to know she was taking this as seriously as he was.
Turning to face him, she gazed up at the towering giant of a man who had rescued and claimed her. She took a moment to consider her words. “I will never take you for granted. I will honor you. I will make your life interesting and probably a little frustrating.” His lips twitched with a smile at that. “I will support you and care