I can picture it, those golden threads of our essence always linked to one another. A subconscious pull towards each other that felt both fated by an unknown forceandchosen by us. Because I had chosen him. Over and over again. And he had chosen me.Maybe there is some truth to Elora’s fated souls theory.
“I am yours, Rhea. Every inch of my body and beat of my heart. Every bit of my magic and ounce of my love. Every one of my thoughts and every part of my soul. They all belong to you.Ibelong wholly to you. That is my second gift, and in return, all I ask is that you let me love you the way I know I was made to.”
Nox lets go of my hand to reach up and wipe away my falling tears—though more rapidly replace them. Then he curls his fingers around the locket, lifting it from my chest and into the space between us.
“This was the closest I could get to including them in this moment. I hope that it’s okay.”
I trace the outside of the locket, a drangyea flower with its small bunched-up petals engraved into the metal. With a smallclick, the locket opens, and inside, the details so perfectly meticulous, are portraits of Alexi and Bella.
The world narrows down to this singular moment as my watery eyes meet his. As I take in the love and longing and vulnerability that are laid bare within them. How could it feel as though every heartache and bruise laid upon me—upon my very soul—was not a stain marking my history but a steppingstone towards something better? How is it possible to stare at this man—my friend, my savior, my lover, myhome—and know that the amount of love I feel for him is more than one lifetime should allow? How could I be so impossibly and unbearablylucky?
With his cheeks growing flushed, Nox carefully opens the box to reveal a gold ring tucked into black silk. At its center is an elegant large teardrop-shaped diamond. The gemstone is so clear that it appears kaleidoscopic, reflecting a rainbow of colors in the waning sun’s light. Flanking each side of the diamond and trailing down the band are three small light pink diamonds clustered together, followed by a pair of light green ones. Leaves made of gold extend from the band to hold them all in place, like a beautiful twisting vine.
There is no breath deep enough, no way to settle the urgent beating of my heart or the way my magic rises to tangle with Nox’s. There is only one word to answer the impending question that dangles from his lips.
“Rhea Maxwell, will you marry—”
“Yes!” I interrupt, falling to my knees on the soft grass while nodding my head as tears cut through my smile. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Nox hardly has a moment to slip the ring onto my finger before I seal my lips over his. Our kiss is hungry and devouring, my arms wrapping around his neck as I draw him in closer. Never enough—there willnever be enoughof this. Of him.Of us. The presence of his magic lessens, my own burrowing back within me in a flash of warm light that feels like an acceptance of this moment. Only then do I separate from him, bringing my hand back up between us to examine the ring more closely.
“It’s so very beautiful,” I marvel.
Nox smiles as he stands, helping me up as well before he pockets the little velvet box. “The diamond was taken from a ring that has been passed down from queen to queen for millennia.”
My eyes widen, an incredulous noise slipping out. “You justtookfrom another ring? One that was worn by a past queen of Void Magic?”
“Of course. You are to be the next queen, Rhea. You have every right to wear this ring.” He grasps my hand, lifting it up higher as he inspects it. “The diamonds on the sides are in the shape of a blooming flower. I thought it might represent our beginning.” His cheeks hint at a slight blush while his eyes lift to mine. “Our love blossomed much like a flower breaking through the earth in the spring. It was slow but deliberate. A surpriseyetas natural as the seasons.”
“You are—”
“Insanely creative?” he teases, kissing the tip of my nose before moving on to my cheeks.
“Maybe just the insane part.” I laugh when he nips at my bottom lip before pressing a featherlight kiss there.
“Come on. We still have one more place to visit before we make our entrance at the ball.”
After righting our crowns and clothes—with a locket hanging from my neck containing pictures of my family and the most incredible symbol of our love adorning my finger—we begin our walk to a temple covered in flowers.
Chapter Seventy-Five: Rhea
Sadryn and Alexandria greetus near the entrance to the public gardens an hour later, in a side corridor tucked away from prying eyes.
“We are so incredibly happy for you both,” Alexandria expresses, a sheen covering her dark gray eyes. Dressed in a stunning strapless gown of burgundy with gold accents along the hem, the queen of the Mage Kingdom exudes regal beauty, her hair left loose and cascading down her shoulders. Sadryn stands next to her, his button-up shirt matching Nox’s navy-coloredone and undone to reveal his chest and a little more. Silver threading in a swirling pattern travels up his sleeves and to his shoulders, while his black trousers tuck into pristine black boots. On their heads are crowns of gold, both larger and with more gems than Nox’s but with the same celestial theme etched into the metal.
Alexandria reaches her hand out for mine, her own silver ring glinting on her finger. “We will plan it however you like. Whatever you want and need, you will have.”
A wedding. I would be planning awedding. The thought is almost enough to distract me from what had happened earlier at the temple. I swallow down the bit of uncertainty that threatens to extinguish my excitement. Tonight, I will have a good time with my friends. I will celebrate my engagement and spend every moment in blissful happiness. Everything else can be dealt with in the morning.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Alexandria playfully scoffs while Sadryn chuckles next to her. “There are no more formalities, my dear, even out here. Use whatever name for us that you feel comfortable with, but know that for Alexandria and me, you are well and truly our daughter.” Sadryn claps Nox on the shoulder, a shared look of pride bouncing between him and Alexandria as she squeezes my hand one more time before letting go. The king and queen head off through the open double doors, the herald announcing their arrival to the cheers of their people.
“Does he have any idea what those words mean to me?” I whisper to Nox as I struggle to keep myself composed.Their daughter. Not by birth. Not by force. But because theywantme to be. Because they see how much their son loves me. Nox’s fingers glide down my arm lightly, just a sensation of touch before he holds my hand in his.
“I know he speaks the truth. They love you, Rhea.” And then, as if he heard my inner thoughts, he adds, “Not because you are mine, but because you areyou.” He brings my hand to his lips, gently kissing the back of it. “Are you ready?”
I blow out a breath and roll my shoulders back. Am I ready to announce to the kingdom that we are betrothed? To deal with whatever the council may say and have every eye on me—friend and foe?No. I am decidedlynotready. But I am not alone either. I had told Nox that it felt like we were on an island, and until the day came that I didn’t have to hide a single part of me, I imagined I would always feel that way. However, with the support of my friends and my new family, withhim,perhaps an island wasn’t the worst place to be.
