23

The clock on the mantelpiece ticked loudly, each second feeling like a weight pressing down on Nicholas”s chest. He couldn”t tear his eyes away from the crackling fire, thoughts of Sophia consuming him. The flames seemed to reflect his inner turmoil, twisting and dancing in a chaotic frenzy.

He made her a promise. They would move on, forget what was meant to be, and live. They would build a life, however brief that life might be.

The door creaked open and Ronan”s gentle voice cut through the hazy thoughts swirling in Nicholas” mind. He entered the room, his footsteps quiet against the wooden floors. As he took a seat beside him at the breakfast table, his eyes reflected his concern. ”You look as though you”ve been locked in a fierce battle,” Ronan observed, studying Nicholas” troubled expression. The historian”s presence was like a warm blanket, offering solace in the midst of chaos. Nicholas sighed, grateful for the man”s support as he tried to untangle the complicated conundrum that consumed his thoughts.

Nicholas let out a soft sigh, his voice barely audible. ”Time can be both a blessing and a curse,” he mused as he absentmindedly raked his hand through his unkempt hair. He felt the weight of centuries upon him, a heavy burden to bear.

”Indeed,” Ronan agreed, pouring himself a cup of steaming coffee. ”It can bring us great joy or immense sorrow, but ultimately, time marches forward, and we must march with it.”

”Ronan, do you believe there are constants in time? Events that cannot be changed, no matter how desperately we try?”

The steam from Ronan”s coffee cup swirled upwards, as he set it down on the table with a thoughtful expression. ”That”s a question for the ages, isn”t it?” he mused aloud. ”I believe that some events are fated to occur, but others...perhaps they can be staved off.”

”Staved off?” Nicholas repeated, his brow furrowing in confusion. ”Do you truly believe that?”

Ronan let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. ”Perhaps not indefinitely,” he admitted. ”That is why they are called constants. But I do think that sometimes, even a small delay can alter the course of things.” The morning light filtered through the window behind him, casting shadows across his face and highlighting the deep lines of worry etched there. ”It”s like trying to pause a river,” he continued. ”You may only succeed for a moment, but that could be enough to redirect its flow.”

A heavy silence settled between them, punctuated only by the crackling fire and the distant ticking of the grandfather clock. Nicholas”s mind raced, torn between the desire to keep Sophia and the fear of the consequences that might follow.

”Nicholas,” Ronan said softly, breaking the silence once more. ”Whatever decision you make, know that it will not be made lightly. You have a good heart, and I trust you to do what”s right.”

Nicholas ran a hand through his hair, releasing a shaky breath. ”Thanks, Ronan,” he said, grateful for the comforting presence of the elder immortal. He looked around at the empty chairs surrounding the table, dreading the arrival of the others and the heavy weight of their expectations that would soon descend upon him.

As he grappled with the weight of his choice, Nicholas was acutely aware of one fact: time, much like the fire crackling in front of him, could either provide solace and illumination or consume everything in its path. With Sophia”s life hanging in the balance, he desperately hoped that he possessed the fortitude to make the right decision.

Nicholas”s head snapped towards the door at the sound of joyful laughter. Sophia stood there with her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining with pure delight. Bash trailed behind her, his contagious smile spreading as he animatedly recounted a hilarious tale that had them both doubling over in mirth. The cozy room was filled with their infectious energy, drawing in everyone around them into its warm and happy atmosphere.

”Good morning!” Sophia called out cheerfully as she took her seat at the breakfast table. ”What have I missed?”

”Nothing much,” Ronan replied with a warm smile, gesturing to the plates laden with food. ”We were just waiting for you.”

”Ah, my apologies for keeping you all waiting,” she said, casting a playful glance at Bash. ”This one insisted on showing me his latest contraption.”

”Contraption?” Julius snorted derisively from his seat across the table. ”More like a disaster waiting to happen.”

”Jealousy doesn”t become you, Julius,” Bash retorted, rolling his eyes. ”Just because I”ve got a flair for invention—”

”Flair for chaos, more like it,” Nicholas interjected, smirking at Bash”s indignant expression.

”Nicholas!” Sophia scolded gently, though her eyes twinkled with amusement. ”You”re always so hard on him.”

”Can”t help it,” Nicholas replied, shrugging nonchalantly. ”Someone had to keep him in line.”

”Speaking of duties,” Ronan spoke up, eager to diffuse any potential tension between the two men, ”Don’t you have a new Guard starting today?”

“Yeah, I’m on it, Ro,” Bash said, shoving a forkful of bacon into his mouth.

“What was that, Sebastian?” Ronan shot back. Nicholas grinned at Ronan’s flash of temper, and the resultant flush that crept over Bash’s cheeks.

Bash swallowed hard, gulped a swig of orange juice, and hurriedly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I meant yes, sir, I’m meeting the new Guard right after breakfast. He’s eating in the chow hall with the other men.”

Ronan nodded curtly and resumed sipping his coffee, his dark eyes smoldering with quiet humor.

As they tucked into their meal, the conversation flowed easily, the air filled with lighthearted banter and the comforting familiarity of family.

As they finished their meal, Nicholas”s thoughts were consumed with a desire for a private moment with Sophia. With a gentle push, he eased his chair away from the table and turned to face her. ”Sophia,” he said, holding out his hand, ”would you take a walk with me?”

A smile lit up her face as she accepted his invitation. Her eyes seemed to dance in the light, her mood effervescent, and he wanted to hold onto that.

Hand in hand, they strolled out the front door and stepped into the crisp morning air. The sun had begun to rise, casting a warm golden glow over the estate and chasing away the lingering chill of dawn. As they made their way along the creek that meandered through the property, the water gurgled and bubbled over smooth stones, enticing them to dip their toes in its cool embrace. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the sweet scent of wildflowers and freshly cut grass. They paused to take in the peaceful scene, feeling grateful for this quiet moment together before starting their day.

He tried to soak in the serene atmosphere surrounding him, hoping it could wash away the anxieties that consumed him. It was a momentary reprieve, but soon he would have to face the harsh reality.

”Nicholas,” Sophia murmured, her voice soft as the breeze that gently stirred her hair. ”What was on your mind this morning? You seemed...troubled.”

He hesitated for a moment, considering how much he should reveal. But as he looked into her warm, trusting gaze, he knew he owed her the truth – or at least, a part of it.

A flicker of doubt crossed Nicholas”s face, his heart pounding like the wings of a hummingbird. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to steady himself. ”Sophia,” he began, his voice low, ”I had a conversation with Ronan earlier today. We were discussing the... nature of time.” He paused, searching for the right words to convey the complexity of their discussion.

”Ronan believes that certain events in time are constants – they cannot be changed. Others, however, can be delayed or altered. I”ve been struggling with this concept myself, especially when it comes to...us.” His eyes darted away from hers, as if afraid to see her reaction.

”Nicholas,” Sophia said gently, reaching out to touch his arm. ”You don”t have to worry about that. Whatever happens, we”ll face it together. We already made that decision, didn’t we?”

”Of course,” Nicholas said quietly. ”But it”s difficult to accept that there may come a time when I cannot protect you, no matter how hard I try.”

”Everyone has their limits,” she replied softly, seeming to understand the sincerity behind his words. ”But it doesn”t mean we should stop trying to live.”

”Exactly,” he said, his voice gaining strength. ”That”s why, after talking to Ronan, I”ve realized that what truly matters is making the most of every moment we have.”

As she gazed at him, Sophia”s lips curved upward, and her eyes sparkled with warmth. ”I can”t think of anyone I”d rather spend those moments with, Nicholas,” she said.

With trembling fingers, Nicholas reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. The weight of the ring inside felt heavy and full of promise. The world around them fell silent as he opened the box, revealing a delicate band of intricately woven gold, tangled with engraved runes and set with a single, stunning diamond that glinted in the sunlight.

”Nicholas?” Sophia”s voice was barely audible, her eyes wide with surprise and wonder.

”Connor gave me this,” he said, his voice unsteady. ”It belonged to my grandmother. And now... I want it to belong to you.” He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. ”Sophia Wyndham, will you marry me?”

Time seemed to stand still as they held each other”s gaze, the weight of his question hanging in the air between them. Nicholas could feel his pulse racing, his hands slick with sweat as he awaited her response.

Finally, Sophia broke their silence, her words a whisper. She looked at the inside of the ring, and his throat caught at the way she studied it. “It says, where you go, I will follow,” she said.

He let out the breath he was holding and nodded. “It does. And I will,” he replied.

She smiled. ”Yes, Nicholas,” she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. ”Yes, I will marry you.”

A wave of relief surged through him. With trembling hands, he slid the delicate ring onto her slender finger, sealing their commitment with a glittering symbol of forever.

Sophia”s face lit up. Nicholas couldn”t help but mirror her happiness, his heart swelling with love for this incredible woman who had agreed to share her life with him.

His fingers trembled with the urge to touch her, and when he finally gave in and pulled her into his arms, she smiled up at him. He couldn”t resist deepening the kiss, savoring the taste of her lips and the warmth of her body pressed against his. His hands cradled her face gently as they explored each other”s embrace. By the gods, he wanted to lay her down beside the water and worship her in the sunshine, but there was still another matter to discuss, and he could put it off no longer. He gently disengaged, kissing her lightly on the forehead and brushing her cheek with his thumb as he let her go.

”Can we just stay out here all day? I’m not ready to share our news just yet,” Sophia said whimsically. He loved the glow on her face, from her flushed cheeks to sweet swollen pink lips. Birds sang sweetly from the trees, while the gentle babble of the water provided a soothing soundtrack to their conversation.

The easy part was over; it was the rest of, however, that made him pause. He took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “There’s something else I want to ask you,” he said, not entirely sure how to begin.

“What else could there be, Nic? I’m not sure I can handle much more excitement,” she replied with a giggle. He grinned, letting her give his arm a persistent yank, pulling him along with her as she started to walk. He tucked her hand into the bend of his elbow, and decided the only way to say it was to simply say it.

”Would you consider leaving this time behind completely?” he asked.

“What?” she replied.

”Modern technology—like cars and trains—they’re only here, in this century,” he said. “I mean, would you be willing to come back with me to Virginia – to live with my family in the past?” The proposition did not come out nearly as coherently as he intended, but it seemed she understood his intent, despite the way he fumbled the delivery.

Sophia stopped abruptly and looked at him, her brow furrowing. His heart clenched at the possibility that he had asked too much of her, that he had pushed too far, that she might regret her decision to marry him.

”Just a moment,” Sophia”s voice was soft and gentle as she stepped away, leaving Nicholas by the creek. The sunlight danced through the leaves above, scattering golden rays onto her hair as she walked. With each step, he wondered what thoughts raced through her mind. She turned to face him, her gaze unwavering. ”Nicholas, I just said I would be your wife. That means I will be by your side, regardless of where that may be. If it means living in the past, then I will go with you.”

A wave of relief washed over him, and he closed the distance between them, wrapping her in a tight embrace. The weight lifted from his chest, and he squeezed her tightly.”I love you, woman,” he whispered into her hair. ”God, I love you.”

”I can”t wait to meet your parents,” Sophia teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Nicholas snorted, his tone gruff but the smile on his face betrayed his amusement. ”Don”t hold your breath on that one.”

Sophia smacked him playfully on the arm before hugging him tightly, her laughter ringing through the air like the most beautiful of melodies. They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other”s arms, their hearts beating in sync as they looked towards the future and all its possibilities – side by side, no matter where or when they found themselves.

As they walked through the foyer of the mansion to the dining room, Nicholas felt a flutter of excitement and anxiety in his chest. He knew that their announcement would elicit a range of reactions from their family - some overjoyed, others doubtful due to their unconventional situation. He tightened his grip on her hand as they approached the room, ready to face whatever may come.

“It’s about time for my father to enjoy a breakfast cordial, and Julius usually joins him for a cigar,” she said. “They’re creatures of habit. At least on Sundays.”

He raised his brows in question, aware of the routine of the immortals he lived with. His intention was to tell them all at once and endure the wrath collectively. ”Are you ready for this?” he asked Sophia softly, his fingers absently tracing the contours of her hand.

She smiled up at him, her eyes brimming with warmth and determination. ”As long as you are, I suppose.”

With that, they entered the dining room where Bash, Connor, Julius, and Ronan were still gathered, each absorbed in various activities. As Sophia predicted, Connor was seated at the head of the table, in his hand a glass of amber whiskey. Julius stood next to the fireplace, an elbow braced on the mantle as he looked wistfully out the double doors to the garden patio, a cigar clenched in his fingers. The sound of their arrival drew everyone”s attention, and it took only a moment for the significance of their clasped hands to register on their faces.

”Seriously?” Bash exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with delight. ”Am I to assume congratulations are in order?”

”Indeed,” Nicholas replied, unable to keep the grin from spreading across his face. ”She said yes.”

A chorus of cheers and well-wishes erupted in the room, although Julius”s reaction was notably more subdued. He eyed the couple warily, but despite his reserved facade, he smiled. ”Congratulations to you both.”

”Well, you’re a lucky man,” Connor chimed in, clapping Nicholas on the back. ”I couldn”t be happier for you both.” Nicholas noticed the firm squeeze of Connor’s hand, and he squinted at him, relieved to see a smile on the older man’s face.

”Thank you, everyone,” Sophia said, her voice wavering a bit. Nicholas placed his hand around her waist, giving her a gentle support.

Leonard slipped out of the room, returning moments later with a tray of champagne flutes. He offered them around with a knowing smile, clearly having anticipated the announcement.

”Leonard, you never cease to amaze me,” Nicholas laughed, accepting a glass and taking a sip of the effervescent liquid.

”Sir, it is my pleasure,” Leonard replied, his eyes sparkling with amusement. ”I have been waiting for the day when Miss Sophia would find happiness. Even if it is with you,” he added tartly. Nicholas let out a laugh, choosing to be glad that the man lightened up, even if his congratulations were laced with a subtle insult.

Nicholas couldn”t help but sneak peeks at Sophia, her radiant smile drawing him in as she chatted and laughed with their friends and family. He observed the way she effortlessly blended into this joyous gathering, feeling grateful that he could share it with her. As he took in the familiar faces around them, he knew that they were surrounded by a strong support system, ready to take on any obstacles that may come their way - no matter where or when they may arise.

”Alright, everyone,” Leonard called out, holding up a glass of his own. ”Let”s raise our glasses to the happy couple. All the happiness in the world for your future together.”

Leonard”s confident voice carried a weight of truth that only those in the room could understand. With a warm smile, he passed around crystal glasses filled with freshly made mimosas, which he had secretly prepared for this special occasion.

”Leonard, how did you know?” Sophia asked, her eyes wide with humor.

”Miss Wyndham, I have been in service to this family for quite some time. It was not difficult to recognize the signs of a man ready to propose,” Leonard replied, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

”Indeed, you”ve outdone yourself, Leonard,” Bash chimed in, raising his glass in appreciation.

As the lively party buzzed around them, Nicholas noticed Sophia”s overwhelmed gaze. He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, guiding her towards the terrace that offered a peaceful escape from the chaos. They stepped outside to be greeted by warm sunlight filtering through the leaves of tall trees. Their fingers intertwined as they took in the stunning view of the gardens below. The joyful sounds of their loved ones filled the air, creating a perfect soundtrack for this momentous occasion - the beginning of their journey together as husband and wife.

”Here”s to us,” he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple. ”And to all the adventures that await.”

”Here”s to us,” she echoed.

With time itself at their fingertips, Nicholas down at the woman who held his whole heart, ready to embrace the unknowns that lay ahead. He raised her hand up and gently kissed the ring he had given her, the inscription fresh in his mind.

Where you go, I will follow.

And he would, for the rest of his days.

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