His heart melted the longer he stared into the deep pools of blue-green. Her eyes sparkled with emotion. He sighed heavily. Was everything finally over and they could begin their lives? Dare he hope?
“Well, what a surprise.” The king chuckled. “But a pleasant surprise. So tell me, Mr. Grey, when were you planning on asking me for my daughter’s hand in marriage?”
He continued to stare into Clarissa’s beautiful eyes as his smile widened. “As soon as I can, Your Majesty.”
Through the brief pause, a high-pitched scream ripped through the air. The witch jumped up and ran toward the king. Her jagged fingernails aimed toward the king’s throat. Her expression hard and murderous.
When she reached him, she muttered disjointed words again, sinking her claws into the king’s neck. He grasped her hands, but it seemed as if he was powerless to release her.
Clarissa cried out and sprang out of Ryder’s arms. He quickly unsheathed his sword and in two steps, drove it through the witch’s back. Her body froze. Stumbling away from the king, she looked at Ryder. Pain etched her expression for only a moment before she collapsed to the ground.
Dead.
Sobbing, Clarissa hurried to her father and hugged him tightly. The king stroked her long, glorious hair and repeated the words,it’s all right now.
Ryder hurried to open the study door and called out to the closest guards. Two men came running. He instructed them to remove the witch’s body. Within minutes, she was taken.
The king’s gentle gaze met Ryder’s and he smiled.
“Thank you, my boy. You saved my life—and the life of my family.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand what kind of strength she had, but I couldn’t stop her. I have been amazed at your bravery, and your strength to fight off her spells.”
Ryder breathed a sigh of relief and moved to stand beside the king. Withdrawing the rabbit’s foot from his pocket, he chuckled, “Actually, Your Highness, this was the only power I had to fight her.”
The king took the rabbit’s foot. “I gave this to your mother after your father died.”
“You did, yes.”
He laughed. “And to think it really did ward off the unnatural.”
“Indeed, it did.” Ryder handed it to the king. “So now I want you to take this back so that you and your family are protected.”
“I won’t argue with that.” The king winked as he took the good luck charm.
Clarissa pulled away from her father and took hold of Ryder’s hand. “Ryder? Don’t you have something to ask my father?”
His heart pounded with renewed life again and he smiled. “Your Majesty, I love your daughter with all that I am. Would you give your permission for us to marry?”
The king wrapped an arm around his daughter and one around Ryder. “I would love nothing better. I’m so very thrilled she has finally found a wonderful man to be happy with for the rest of her life.”
Clarissa tilted her head. “I’m assuming that’s a yes?”
The king nodded. “Wholeheartedly.” The smile faded from his face when he met Ryder’s gaze again. “Where is my wife?”
“I’ll go get her now.”
“Take my coach,” the king instructed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And...don’t forget to take your fiancée, too.” Clarissa squeezed Ryder’s hand. “From this point forward, I want to do everything with you. We make a good team, and I don’t want anything to come between us ever again.”
Ryder gave her a wink. “Your wish is my command, my lovely Rissa.”
