I search the audience, scanning faces until I find her.
Rika.
Our gazes lock, and even from here I can see her eyes go wide, can see the confusion and shock play across her beautiful face.
The nerves don't disappear, but they settle. Just slightly. Because this is so completely, terrifyingly right.
"Rika Everdeen," I say, my voice carrying clear through the speakers. "Could you come up here, please?"
Another spotlight snaps on, finding Rika in the front row. Every head in the audience swivels toward her. Rika's hand flies to her mouth. Even from the stage, I can see she's trembling, her wings doing that nervous flutter they do when she's scared.
I watch as she approaches, my heart hammering harder with each step she takes.
Rika's eyes never leave mine as she walks down the aisle in the spotlight. Her sapphire dress catches the light with everymovement, and her wings shimmer behind her like precious gems.
God, she's beautiful.
When she reaches the stairs, I step forward and offer my hand. Rika takes it, her fingers cold and trembling in mine, and I help her up onto the stage.
The moment our skin touches, the rest of the world falls away. Taking both of Rika's hands in mine, I look into those blue eyes that have haunted my dreams since the first day I met her.
And I begin.
"Almost two years ago," I say, my voice quieter now, more intimate despite the microphone, "you crashed your car into my grandfather's planter."
Laughter ripples through the audience. Rika's face flushes pink, but she's smiling.
"You were wearing fuzzy pajama pants covered in donuts," I continue, grinning at the memory. "Your hair was a mess. Your shoes weren't even tied. And you looked absolutely perfect."
Rika's eyes are already shining with unshed tears. I squeeze her hands gently.
"Do you remember what you said when I told you I wanted you forever?"
She nods, not trusting her voice.
"You said forever was a long time." My voice drops even lower, meant for her even though everyone can hear.
A tear spills down her cheek. I release one of her hands just long enough to brush it away with my thumb. Rika makes a small sound, halfway between a laugh and a sob.
"So here's the thing." I drop to one knee, hearing the audience's collective gasp, Belinda's delighted shriek carrying from the front row.
Rika's wings snap open behind her, spreading wide.
With shaking hands, I pull out the velvet box and open it.
The sapphire ring catches the spotlight and throws rainbows across the stage. The stone is the exact shade of Rika's wings, set in white gold with tiny diamonds forming a delicate band.
"I couldn't disagree more about forever being a long time," I say, looking up at her. "Forever doesn't feel nearly long enough. Not if I get to spend it with you. All of you."
I glance at Zoe backstage, then at Matthew in the audience, before my gaze returns to Rika.
"I love your strength," I tell her. "Your courage. The way you fight for the people you care about. I love that you gave me a family when I thought I'd spend my whole life on the outside looking in. You made me believe I could have this. That I deserved it."
My voice breaks slightly on the last word, but I push through.
"Will you marry me?" The question comes out clear despite my racing heart. "Will you let me spend forever loving you and Zoe and Matthew? Will you make me the happiest man alive and say yes?"
Time seems to suspend.
