Chapter 55 #2
His fingers slip from mine, leaving me hollow. I furrow my brow, watching as his palm curls into a fist. A breath later, his fingers unfurl and the glint of metal catches my eye. “If you’ll have me, I would be honored to spend the rest of my days loving every part of you.”
My mouth gapes as Soren slides a delicate gold band around my finger. It shimmers beneath flecks of water, and I turn my head to gaze into his glowing amber eyes. “Will you marry me?” he asks.
His jaw clenches with nerves, and I study his face. I love Soren. Absolutely love him with every fiber of my being. A love I never thought would happen to me. A love I never really believed in. Until I met him.
I hold my hand closer to my face, tilting my head to gaze at the piece of delicate jewelry that fits so perfectly around my finger. As if it’s always been there. Something I never knew was missing.
I gaze back at his face with tears in my eyes, aware it’s been several moments since I was shocked into silence.
“Yes,” I breathe. “Yes!” I pull his face to mine, my lips scorching against his. He smiles against my mouth and wetness trickles down to my lips. I pull away to look at him, a trail of tears falling from his golden eyes.
He smiles at me and there is nothing in this world that is more beautiful.
I shift in the tub, turning so that I can straddle his lap, wrapping my legs around him. Water splashes over the sides, but I don’t care. Because he’s mine, and I’m his. Forever.
He wraps his arms around my back, pulling me tightly to his chest. I curl my arms around his neck, and we make a bigger mess of the bathing room as we’re swept away into each other’s embrace.
And when we find our release, this time it’s together.
I gaze into his eyes as my climax blooms from deep within my core, and we hang onto each other as we ride the waves of bliss.
I’m in a haze when Soren and I drift down to the dining room an hour later. I chose a gold glittering gown that hugs my curves, making Soren consider pulling me back up the stairs.
As we descend toward the main floor, a melody of voices swirl around us.
I step inside the dining room to find everyone already seated and enjoying drinks and conversation.
Instead of a long, formal dining table, our friends are gathered around a large circular table that comfortably fits our group.
I grip Soren’s hand lightly, and one of his fingers traces the glinting band around my finger.
He grins at me, and releases my hand to pull out my chair next to Camryn.
He slides in beside me, next to Olin, who has returned to his normal form.
Soren’s hand lands on my thigh beneath the table, and now I wish we were back upstairs.
There’s a nudge in my ribs, and I turn to see Camryn grinning at me. “Damn, girl. That’s a nice ass dress. You look hot!”
I giggle and reach for my wine. “Thanks.”
Her shocked gasp makes me slosh my drink over the rim of the glass. “What is that?!” she asks.
I glance from her wide eyes down to the ring on my finger, smiling at the memory of Soren asking me to be his wife. Hearing Camryn’s surprise, Soren’s hand slides down to my knee, squeezing gently.
Heat floods my cheeks. “Yeah, so I guess we have a wedding to plan.” I smile nervously at my friend. Her eyes well with tears, and she throws her arms around me.
“I’m so happy for you. For both of you,” she says in my ear.
I hold her tighter. “Thank you.”
“A royal wedding,” she whispers, making me laugh. The last thing I want is an over-the-top wedding. I’m thinking of something simple and intimate.
I spend the rest of the night indulging in food and wine, laughing with the others and trying to capture the moment in my mind.
When we depart in the morning, Thorn, Olin, Clara, and Maeve will journey back to Riverholm with me and Soren.
Clara has grown fond of the girl, and Maeve of her.
Clara’s eyes gleam when she asks Maeve if she’d like to come live with her, and the girl responds with a resounding ‘yes.’ Thorn is taken with her as well, and I foresee Maeve spending hours in his library, learning everything she can.
Arc will remain in the palace, of course.
Though, he plans to spend many months traveling the realm and having extensive renovations done in the palace while he’s away.
I expect he wants to erase every memory of his father and his curse from the Northern Shadows before he returns to build a new life for himself.
Draven and Isolde will return to the canyon house.
Caelum decides it is best for him and Camryn to return to Ni’haan and oversee the transition of the travelers.
They are free to go where they’d like, but Arc has assured Caelum the travelers are welcome to stay in Ni’haan for as long as they’d like, remaining protected.
My chest aches when Camryn tells me she’ll be living on the other side of the realm from me, but she has her mate. And I have mine.
I invite Mei to come stay with us in Riverholm, but she’s grown fond of the little village in Ni’haan and misses her quiet house. I can’t say that I blame her. After spending most of her life here hidden away, she’s endured a lot over the past few days.
I’m chatting with Camryn and Mei when Maeve skips over to us.
As much as I adore the girl, I wince every time I see her, waiting for whatever news she’s foreseen.
She looks at Camryn and shifts her gaze to Mei.
“I had a vision earlier.” Maeve looks back at Camryn.
“In the vision, you were sad about never meeting your birth family, someone you share roots with.”
Camryn blinks, her hand curving tighter around her glass. “Yes,” she whispers.
Maeve smiles at her, then looks at Mei. “She’s here.”
I nearly drop my wine following the girl’s revelation. “Mei and Camryn are related?!” I choke out.
Maeve nods. “Distantly. My vision showed me a woman, a distant relative of which you share a bond.”
I look at Camryn, who stares at Mei. Both have tears welled in their eyes.
The silence and the shocked expressions draw Caelum to Camryn’s side. “What is it?” he asks, crouching down to look into Camryn’s eyes.