“Now I smell wonderful,” he said to her. The words made her laugh, and his whole night got better just for hearing it.
“Now, that’s enough time spent with soap,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her toward the bonfire. “We have an evening to enjoy.”
The glow of the bonfire made Sophia come alive as she tapped her feet to the lively tune being played by the townsfolk. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer as they sipped their hot cider around a roaring bonfire.
Could it get any better than this?
Actually, it could, and he knew just how to do it.
He reached out and took Sophia’s drink from her, putting them down on a stump, before holding out a hand. “May I have this dance, miss?”
He was rewarded with a bright smile and her hand slipping into his. “Of course,” she said, “though I will warn you, I don’t know how to dance.”
“I can teach you.”
He attempted to spin her into his arms, and she landed on his toes.
“Are you sure?” she asked, grimacing as she clutched at his coat and stepped backward.
“I’m sure,” he said. She was light as a feather, and he’d barely felt her stomping on his foot.
“There’s a reason I spend most of my time with goats.” Sophia laughed as he pulled her in close again. The light of the fire danced in her eyes as he attempted to teach her a few basic steps, most of them ending with her on top of his toes.
It was a good thing he’d worn his boots.
It didn’t matter though.
She was beautiful.
She was his.
He was getting ahead of himself, maybe, but it certainly seemed like Sophia was happy with him, too.
They could make this work, because he could do this for the rest of his life—and judging by the way his parents were smiling as they watched, it wouldn’t be hard to convince them that he’d found the one.
After several songs, the music slowed, and Caspian pulled Sophia close for a waltz. “I’ve never done this before,” Sophia said, tilting her neck to look up at him. He didn’t often regret how tall he was, but the way it made her look up so far couldn’t be comfortable. But she did it anyway, smiling up at him as she let him twirl her around.
This was everything he’d ever dreamed of.
And now that it was happening, he couldn’t believe it.
“I think it was a success,” Sophia said, looking around with a smile at the townsfolk and nobility mingling around the bonfire. All four noble families in the Northlands region were represented tonight, even if only by one person, and it seemed like the whole town was there. “You did a wonderful job.”
“Thank you for all your help,” he said.
Sophia laughed. “I did nothing. You were the one who took this responsibility and made it a success, and I’m very proud of you.”
Warmth spread through his chest at her words. Somehow she knew exactly what to say. “Thank you,” he said softly. He stopped dancing and cupped her cheek in his hand. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes,
He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers. Sparks from the fire flew higher and brighter and it felt like his world was exploding into flames along with it as everything faded but the two of them and they were alone in their own world.
Just him and Sophia and the feelings between them.
She was the one.
He had to tell her.
He caressed her cheek and pulled away, looking down at her with a smile.
