Chapter 487

Evelyn nestled into Liam's chest, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "When we're at the military base, I'll call you General Blackwood," she murmured, her fingers tracing patterns on his uniform. "But in private... may I call you Liam?"

Liam's arms tightened around her waist as he drank in the warmth of her honeyed voice. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't," he replied, his thumb brushing her cheekbone.

The afternoon sun painted golden streaks across Evelyn's face as she smiled. "So where does General Blackwood take his new bride? Back to base already?"

"Blackwood Manor first," Liam corrected, his breath stirring the loose tendrils of her hair.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "No honeymoon for the newlyweds? I thought commanders got leave after marriage."

"My team can handle things for a week," Liam said, his lips quirking. "Unless my wife has more pressing engagements?"

Evelyn laughed, the sound like wind chimes. "I'm terribly busy, you know."

Liam caught her chin, his expression turning serious. "Cassandra," he began, using the name only he knew her by, "there's one promise I need from you."

The sudden shift in tone made Evelyn still. "Anything."

His storm-gray eyes held hers captive. "Swear you'll never betray me."

Evelyn didn't hesitate. "On my life, Liam. If I ever—"

His mouth crashed down on hers, swallowing the rest of her vow. Evelyn's hands flew to his shoulders as his tongue claimed hers with possessive intensity. When they broke apart, her lips tingled.

"Liam!" she gasped, glancing around the crowded street. "We're in public!"

The general merely smirked, guiding her toward the waiting car. He leaned across to buckle her seatbelt, his nose brushing her temple. Evelyn opened her mouth to protest when he stole another kiss.

"Really?" she huffed, though her traitorous pulse raced. "What if someone sees?"

"I'm only keeping secrets from those who matter," Liam countered, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. "Not my family."

Evelyn rolled her eyes as he shut her door. Watching him circle the car, she realized she'd never seen him so carefree. The way sunlight caught in his dark hair, the unguarded smile—this was a Liam few ever witnessed.

The drive didn't take them to Blackwood Manor as expected, but to the ancestral Blackwood estate. Richard and Eleanor sat in the parlor, the marriage certificate spread between them like a treasured map.

"Cassandra!" Eleanor sprang up, clasping Evelyn's hands. "When Liam told us you'd remarried, I nearly fainted with joy! After you left Aldenria, I feared my son would become a permanent bachelor."

Richard nodded solemnly. "She's been pacing the halls at all hours. Even the staff started placing bets on when you'd return."

Evelyn's cheeks warmed under their scrutiny. She glanced at Liam, who wore the smug expression of a man who'd won life's greatest prize.

"Now I can finally sleep," Eleanor sighed, patting the sofa between them. "Though grandchildren would make my dreams even sweeter."

Liam's chuckle rumbled through the room as he pulled Evelyn against his side. "Give us time, Mother. We've only just begun." His fingers laced with Evelyn's, a silent promise passing between them—one that needed no witnesses, no vows, just the quiet certainty of two hearts beating as one.