He chuckles. “You should see the bed I chose.”
I arch my brows. “Over the top?”
“You told me to pick the furnishings. Now you have to live with my extravagant choices.”
I smile, laughter bubbling up so easily these days. “If it were up to me, you’d hate it. I’d have a bed and some swords.”
“That’s a little minimal, but I swear there’s no clutter. Just nice pieces and what we need.” Grinning, Bale sweeps me into his arms and carries me toward what I know is our bedroom, though I haven’t seen the finished version yet. “The roosting wall is separate from the bedroom for obvious reasons.” He flashes me a wolfish grin. “But it’s right on the other side of the living room, so your birds will never be far.”
“Our birds.”
His arms tighten around me, and I’m pretty sure a flush of pleasure deepens the color in his cheeks. “Now that this is done, what are we going to do with ourselves? Even the werebeast incursions are settling down.”
I roll my eyes, knowing he’s not serious, except about the werebeasts. “More schools in both kingdoms. Housing for the disadvantaged and displaced. Medical training, since magical healing is dying out. Social integration—there are more fae and vampires mixing with dragon shifters and weres than ever before. Infrastructure! We need more and better roads. Not everyone in Torridaig can fly, and there are more and more people around that can’t these days.”
“Ah. I knew you’d have plans.”
I laugh. “And if all else fails, sex for days and days.”
Bale’s inner heat sears me through my clothing, and his low growl is all I need for a pulse of arousal to thump between my legs.
“Before we get to that—which we will,” he promises in a husky voice, “I have a surprise for you.”
He veers off before reaching the bedroom, heading down a corridor I’m convinced was hidden before. Curious, I sit up straighter in his arms. “What’s this?”
“Patience, Sunshine.” I huff loudly, and he dryly adds, “That’s the spirit.”
Laughing, I bite his neck with little fangs. Not enough to draw blood. We’ll save that for later. Bale is delicious, and he finds my bites delicious too.
With me still in his arms, Bale strides into a huge bathing chamber, natural runoff pooling in a wide, deep basin carved into the rock. “Amazing.” Grinning in surprise, I take in the large, rough-walled, stalactite-hung room. “This cavern must’ve already existed.”
He nods. “Right here at the peak of the mountain. I was thrilled when the workers broke down a rock wall to expand our chambers, and there it was, already half ready to go.”
“Fantastic.” I beam. “How starsdamned cold is that water, though?”
He chuckles. “Very. Unless I heat it up.”
“Promising,” I murmur. I can’t wait.
“I have another promise for you.” He sets me on my feet and drops to one knee.
My eyes widen, and my heartbeat accelerates, taking off with an excited jolt. As if by magic, Fyrestar, Rim, and Sol swoop down from previously dark corners, brightening the big room as their feathers heat and glow.
“I lay my kingdom at your feet,” Bale rumbles, and Fyrestar hops closer, pushing a pine bough toward me. Its fresh, sharp, woodsy scent anchors me home in the mountains of Torridaig.
My breath shudders. I lift my gaze back to Bale.
“I give you my heart, my body, my strength.” After Bale’s words, Rim moves forward and opens one clawed foot. He drops the scale Bale sent me all those months ago at my feet.
Tears crawl toward my eyes, fogging my vision. I swallow hard.
“I give you the rest of my days, all my nights. Will you marry me now that we have our home? Live here with me and be my mate and my partner in all things?” I can barely tear my eyes from Bale, but Sol draws my attention as she flutters in. She has a ring in her beak, and I hold out my hand. She puts the golden jewel into my palm. The ruby is gigantic. Bale knew I’d want something red.
My breathing unsteady, my pulse a joyous riot, I turn to the man I love. “I think those are three promises. Maybe more.” He looks worried when I hand him the ring. “Don’t just stand there. Put it on.” I offer my hand, fingers splayed.
A wide grin splits his handsome face. His eyes glitter with inner fire as he slips the ring onto my finger, the metal band warm and a perfect fit.
I step into Bale’s arms and smile up at him. “Yes, I will be your mate, and we’ll live in this amazing home you had built for us. We’ll take care of our people and our land. We’ll keep our friends close and love our birds.” I sweep an adoring gaze over our phoenixes before turning back to Bale. “Yes to everything. I love you, and I love the life we’ve started here.”
