Chapter 7
T raversing the main trail in the woods for what felt like hours. We chatted about the things from the week, some village gossip, but truthfully that was fine with me. I was nervous, more nervous than I had any right to be, doing night watch with my best friend.
I caught myself wondering how soft his lips might be...
Fuck . Sure, he'd teased and flirted throughout the years, but he'd never once asked for anything more than friendship. He'd never looked at me the way he did the other village girls. They were all so beautiful and dainty, not the type to get their hands dirty fighting or tracking through the forest. I wouldn't be surprised if he became betrothed soon. Perhaps to Lydia—all honey-gold hair and sky-blue eyes—or Alice, with her kind heart and chocolate curls framing rich ebony skin. Her family was well-respected within the community. She and Ma?l would make a beautiful couple. I would be happy for them, whoever he chose.
"Alora?" His voice startled me out of my inner thoughts. I snapped my head toward him, trying to figure out if he had said something I missed. He cleared his throat and gestured towards a spot on the soft ground, "did you want to take a break? We're about midway through.
I nodded and sat down on the ground near where he had pointed. He sat beside me and set his lantern between us. After rifling through his bag, he produced some packages.
I smiled. "Please thank your mom for me. She's the best cook in the village." I opened the cloth to find bread, cheese, and seasoned chicken. One bite of the chicken had me fighting back a moan.
He smiled between bites. "I'll be sure to pass that along." We ate in comfortable silence until every morsel was gone.
The woods held their breath around us. From our spot in the small clearing, I could see stars winking through the canopy above—silent guardians watching over their watchers. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that danced across the forest floor. The night air carried the sweet scent of wildflowers and earth, wrapping around us like a silk veil.
"Not quite what you had in mind for your birthday, huh?" Ma?l asked. When I turned to answer, I found him gazing at the stars. The lantern caught the gold in his eyes, making them gleam like honey. His brown hair was tousled as always—his mother's daily frustration, my secret delight. It suited him, wild and free. He caught me staring, and warmth bloomed in my cheeks.
"It's not," I said, "but I'd have only spent it with my grandmother before turning in. Besides, I love being in the woods, especially with a view like this." I gestured skyward. Ma?l kept his eyes on me as he nodded.
"Yeah, the view is breathtaking," he agreed.
His intense stare only deepened my blush. I glanced down, fidgeting with my sheath strap. "Did grandmother seem odd to you tonight?"
"When doesn't Eleni act odd?" He chuckled, probably thinking of all her peculiarities over the years. He had a point, but this was different.
"I mean weirder than usual," I explained. "She gave me my gift early—she always waits for my actual birthday. And when we left... her goodbye felt final."
"Don't people usually say goodbye when someone leaves? Maybe she was just excited about your gift?" he offered.
I considered for a moment. "Maybe. It's just unlike her. It didn't feel like her usual goodbye."
I felt Ma?l shift closer—or maybe that was just wishful thinking. "It's a big year," he said. "Most people get their powers at twenty-one. It changes things."
I nodded. He was right—it was nerve-wracking to wonder what might happen. Would I be a healer like her? Would flames dance at my fingertips, or would water bend to my will? Being fae, our senses and strength already bordered on godlike compared to humans. As a half-fae, Ma?l possessed keener senses than any human, but the elemental gifts had passed him by. Still, he'd never let that hold him back—something I'd always admired. Whenever I told him his real power was his endless optimism, he'd laugh and say optimism wouldn't stop a blade. So he trained, preparing for the day the war might reach our peaceful village. We'd been lucky so far, but luck was a fickle friend.
"Alora." Gods, did he even know what my name on his tongue did to me?
His hands fidgeted in the dirt as I met his intense gaze. As our eyes locked into each other, he swallowed, nervousness flickering across his features before vanishing like morning mist.
"I had another reason for asking you here tonight, beyond indulging your love of books."
"What better reason is there? Besides, Trenton bailed, remember?" I smiled, letting out a small laugh as he chuckled.
"For you? None. But I wasn't entirely honest earlier. Trenton didn't bail—I asked him to stay home so I could have you to myself."
I stayed silent as the air grew thick with anticipation. He pulled a small cloth from his pocket and offered it to me, "Happy Birthday, Alora."
With trembling fingers, I unwrapped the cloth. Inside lay a silver ring, its band adorned with delicate filigree—tiny flowers etched with impossible precision.
"Ma?l," I breathed, words failing me.
"I don't know what future you dream of—whether it's children, or finding some wealthy lord, or traveling to the biggest library in the realm to lose yourself in books forever. I know I'm not worthy of you. I've never been."
I stilled, Was this really happening? "But I can't imagine my life without you. Would you consider marrying me?"
I was utterly stunned. Since when had he ever considered marrying me? Why would he consider marrying me? No one wanted a wife who could gut a deer or fight like a man. Am I imagining this? He looked at me with so much hope in his eyes. I swallowed, feeling my voice tremble as I tried to reign in my racing thoughts and racing heart.
"Ma?l, I didn't think you thought of me like this. I always thought you'd ask Alice or Lydia, aren't they better matches for you?"
Ma?l gently shook his head as he reached for my hand, "I've always wanted it to be you. Lydia and Alice are nice, but they're not you. I've tried to tell you my feelings but every time all I could think about was that you probably didn't want to settle for half fae like me. I was worried I'd have to find a new sparring buddy if you rejected me."
I could feel tears start welling in my eyes. "What if I want to explore and hole myself up in some library and never come out?"
"Then I'll follow you and bring you meals and listen as you tell me about all of the books you've read." He smiled as he began to stand, guiding me up with him. His hands never leaving my own. "Whatever life it is you decide, if you'll have me, I'll follow you wherever that leads."
My heart couldn't take it anymore. In one swift motion, I wrapped my arms around his neck and crashed my lips against his. His mouth was as soft as I'd imagined, and the way he kissed me back had me melting into his arms. I pulled back for just a moment, my breath catching in my throat. "I will," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I would love to marry you."