Epilogue
Six months later
Elena
I’d officially moved into Orion’s new home just outside of Providence, where there was a huge backyard with a stargazing center for us to explore the sky. I still kept my farmhouse and used it to harvest my dandelions and other herbs for tea.
“What do you think?” I stepped back, admiring the lotus painting I’d purchased from the art show at the Mount Centauri Museum. “Nessa’s art is truly unique. She invited me to her gallery to promote her next collection.”
Orion came up behind me, slipping his arms around my waist. “You should have bought more of her work.”
I turned around and looked at my love. “You bought the paintingfor me, remember?”
“How could I not buy it? You kept staring at it.”
“Yeah, there was something about it. The flower and color scheme just resonated with me.”
All my friends got a painting from their significant other as well.
“Nessa had twelve paintings on display. Our group bought six of them. She said an anonymousart collectorbought the rest. That’s not you, right?”
“No, Sunshine, it’s not me. As you know, I collect other things. Why?”
I shrugged. “Maybe I wantanother painting for the house or the office.”
“Why don’t you commission her? Don’t worry about the price.”
“I’ll ask her when I cover her event.” I looked up at him. There was something in his eyes that spelled trouble. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.” He laughed. “Can’t a man love and admire his woman?”
“You can. But I see trouble sparking in your eyes.”
“You know me too well. I made something for you, but it didn’t turn out the way I wanted.” He looked disappointed.
“Let me see.” I was curious about what he’d made for me.
Orion had hired another team to assist him with his empire so he could spend more time with me. Not only that, he had started MuseWorks, a media company that owned Musepaper. He loved me and wanted me to be happy. I’d have my own TV show where I could report inspiring news. We would deliver the news with integrity and honestyand include more world news.
We walked out to the yard with some tulips and daffodils already in bloom. I loved the atmosphere of spring, where new beginnings were everywhere.
Orion and I had survived a tumultuous storm. We were now enjoying the peaceful calm. All my dreams had come true because of him. He was my sun—warm, vital, and the center of my galaxy.
I yanked at his hand. “You seek me when you’re cold and need me when you’re lost. You measure my life in hours, and I will serve you until I perish. The wind is my enemy, and the shadow is my friend. Who am I?”
He answered without a blink,“I’m your candle, baby.”
I smiled and whipped out another riddle. He replied without hesitation.
“Have you been studying my riddles or something?” I smiled, pride surging in me. This brilliant man was all mine.
“I studied Madame Sarcasm’s old website.”
Since he took care of all the tech stuff for my sites, he had access to all my information—all the old articles I’d ever written.
“That’s a lot of studying.”
“I can be an excellent student with the right teacher.” He gave me a wicked grin that made me think about all the intimate things we’d done together since moving into this house.
An idea sparked in me, but then it vanished, replaced by a distressed bouquet of dandelions lying on the outdoor table.
Oh boy.
He definitely made the sad-looking bouquet.
I cupped his face. “It’s adorable.”
“Please help me make it better.” He watched me as I unwrapped the paper and removed all the dandelions and accent plants.
A little box dropped out of the arrangement, and I looked at him, my heart racing.
His eyes gleamed with joy and mischief. “Open it.”
I took off the lid and a lopsided paper star sat in the middle. It had my name written in small letters at the center. “It’s adorable.”
“Since you gave me hundreds of paper stars filled with lovely messages, I figured I’d make one for you. Mind you, it took me forever to make this star.”
I could imagine him sitting at his desk, folding the thin strip of paper with his enormous hands.
“You did an amazing job. I’m not taking on new students, but I’ll make an exception for you.”
“Open it,” he said, looking nervous.
I stared at the tiny star at the center of my palm. It pulsed with hope and love.
I unraveled the paper, arched an eyebrow, and read the question out loud. “I am the sun burning for you, the moon making sure you have a good night’s sleep, and the stars making all your dreams come true. What am I?”
He stared at me, waiting for an answer.
I smiled at him. “I was going to say a dandelion, but you’re asking for a deeper meaning.” I placed the strip of paper on the table and placed two palms on his firm chest. “It’s you, Orion. You’re my sun, moon, and stars.”
Then he pulled out a box from his pants pocket and dropped to one knee.
Orion
I’d never been so scared to see a reaction from anyone until now. What if she said no? What if she was happy living together without wanting to be my wife?
I opened the silver and gold box and pulled out a ring with the rare taaffeite gemstone. “I didn’t know I was capable of this deep love until I met you. When you came into my life, I felt renewed. I love you with everything I am and everything I’ll ever be. I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Will you marry me?”
“Yes! I love you so much!” Tears streamed down her face as I slid the ring onto her finger.
I rose to my feet as she placed her hand against the sunlight. “It’s perfect. Isn’t this the gemstone from your secret room?” The glow on her face proved she loved it.
“It is,” I said, remembering how she kept staring at the gemstone.
She was the nebula that added color to my dark soul.
Elena embraced me. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
I kissed her forehead. “You’re the supernova that illuminates what I couldn’t see within or around me. Thank you for loving me.”
“Thank you for loving me. I’m so happy I don’t have the words to express it.” She smirked. “Why don’t I show you?” She dragged my hand, leading me into the bedroom.
I paused and threw out one more riddle for today. “What kind of thief steals a glance at you?”
She angled her head and smiled. “A dead man—a dead thief.”
I grinned at our unique way of communication. I could speak in riddles and my love would always understand me.
“I’m going to steal your sanity right now, thief.” Sheshrugged off my T-shirt with love and mischief gleaming in her eyes.
“Take whatever you want, Sunshine.”
I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life giving her whatever she wanted.
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