He turned to his side and plucked a tiny yellow flower from the grass. Her face lit up with a smile when he offered it to her. "I accept your condition and wish to start right away."
She twirled it between her fingers and held her chin high. "Then we have a deal. How soon do you intend to ask my father?"
Eramus laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Perhaps tonight? The sooner we leave for Verascene, the better."
Evree began plucking flowers and collecting them in a bouquet. Eramus couldn't help but watch her in awe. Her wide smile warmed his heart, and he felt like the luckiest man in Virgamor. Evree had always accepted him, even when their people had not, and he knew without a doubt he loved her.
When she couldn't hold any more, she turned to face him. "Mind helping me up?"
He lifted her from the ground, and they walked towards the village. "What are all the flowers for?" asked Eramus.
Her lips twisted into a sly smile, but she remained silent. Eramus narrowed his eyes. "You're up to something. I know that look."
She pressed the bouquet against her chest and gaped in feigned offense. "You say it as though I'm always up to mischief."
"If you're not, then tell me what the flowers are for."
Evree ignored him, increasing her pace. "I've never seen anyone so suspicious of flowers."
"Evree."
"They're for your mother. I'm going to tell her."
She knew better than to hesitate after her confession. Evree bounded down the dirt path and into the village…with Eramus on her heels.
"Evree, no! If you tell her, the entire village will know! We need to wait until I've asked your father."
Between exertion and panic, his heart beat in chaos. He wasn't ready for his mother to know. This would be even worse than when Yelene told her he'd kissed Evree. Not to mention if Kieran found out from anyone but him, he wouldn't be happy.
Eramus reached for her, but she slipped out of his fingertips, her giggles flowing behind her to meet his ears. Villagers stopped to watch them run down the path, and Eramus didn't dare call after her for fear they would find the display even more suspicious.
Evree slowed when she neared his cottage, allowing him to catch her by the waist and whirl her around. Her giggles made him laugh as she squirmed between his arms. "You can't tell her yet," he said, flicking a finger over her nose.
She lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed him. His arms loosened in response, and Evree took the opportunity to escape. "Rotten apples, I can't!"
Eramus cursed himself for smiling at her defiance. His stomach lurched when she neared the door, but before she could lift her hand to knock, it parted from the frame and Yelene stood on the threshold with a wide grin.
"Rotten dirty red apples," Eramus muttered under his breath. Did Yelene see his proposal? He thought he might be sick.
Yelene leaped forward and pulled Evree into a tight embrace. Her eyes met his over Evree's shoulder, and she gave him a wink before releasing her.
"Oh! I'm so happy to finally meet you!"
Evree blinked at her.
Yelene shook her head. "Forgive me. I'm Yelene, Eramus's aunt."
"Yes, of course," said Evree. "I met Aldeth yesterday when he healed us all."
Yelene crossed her arms and pursed her lips. Eramus chuckled. She and Evree would certainly get along fine. "I was told to stay home, and had it not been for Inara needing my company, I wouldn't have listened. But that's neither here nor there. I'm glad you've come by and I'm happy to be the first to offer you congratulations."
Evree's face contorted with confusion, and Eramus sighed. "Yelene can see the future. It's part of her abilities."
"But I haven't told the others," said Yelene, lifting her hands when Eramus flashed her a pointed look. "I wanted to give you the honor. So come inside before I completely burst."
They followed her through the door, and all hope of keeping the proposal hidden from his mother disappeared. Hopefully, his family could keep it a secret, at least until tonight when he could ask Kieran for his blessing.
Inara and Aldeth sat at the small table, but both turned their attention to them the moment they entered the cottage. Yelene bounced on her toes. She appeared ready to explode with excitement.
