Chapter 57
AURORA
Hope sparks inside me as I step back, heart pounding so hard I can barely breathe as the fissures deepen, spreading across Thalric’s form. Golden light shines brightly through each tiny fracture.
“Thalric, please come back to me,” I whisper.
Warmth seeps from under the cold, hard stone as the cracks multiply, spreading faster now before a brilliant burst of light erupts outward, shattering the remaining stone like crystal.
My heart hammers as Thalric stands before me, chest heaving as he staggers forward. Strong, gray-skinned arms wrap instinctively around me, warm and solid, pulling me tight against him.
I clutch him desperately to me, tears streaming down my face as relief and joy flood through me.
“Thalric,” I sob. “You’re here. You’re back.”
“I heard you, Auri.” He cups my face, brushing away my tears with his thumbs. “I heard every word you said to me. Every vow. Every promise...” His voice is rough with emotion. “Your tears… your love brought me back.”
“I thought I lost you.” My voice breaks. “I was so afraid you were gone forever.”
He cups my chin, tipping my face up to his as his golden eyes stare deep into mine. “You’ll never lose me, Auri. My heart is yours. Always.”
He leans in and presses his mouth to mine in a tender kiss, full of reverence and a promise of forever. He curls his tongue around mine, and the world narrows to just him, along with the warmth of his lips and the taste of his breath mingling with my own as he deepens our kiss.
When we finally pull apart, I see Ryllen rushing toward us, followed by Eldrin and my parents, their expressions full of joy.
“I’m glad you’re back, my friend,” Ryllen says, clasping his forearm. “You’ve been missed.”
Thalric’s father steps forward and wraps his massive arms around his son, embracing him warmly. “Thank the gods,” he murmurs. “My son, I’m so glad you’re alright.”
My father walks up to Thalric, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Our kingdom owes you a debt,” he says solemnly. “Whatever you wish for, it’s yours.”
Boldly, I step forward, looping my arm through Thalric’s. I’ve loved him for almost my entire life, and I thought I’d lost him forever. Now that he’s back and he’s whole, I don’t want to waste any more time. “Me.” A smile crests my lips as I look up at Thalric. “He wants me.”
Color rises in his cheeks, his expression caught between astonishment and tender amusement.
Ryllen snorts out a laugh but quickly covers his mouth, obviously amused by my decisiveness.
My father looks at Thalric. “Is this true?” he asks, but the smile tugging his mouth tells me he already knows the answer. “Do you wish to wed my daughter?”
Thalric turns to me, and I softly bite my lower lip, barely able to contain a smile as I nod.
A handsome grin curves his mouth before he turns his attention back to my father and straightens, tipping up his chin as he meets the king’s gaze evenly. “I would be honored to take Aurora as my mate.”
Father dips his chin in a firm nod. “Then it shall be done.”