“This butternut squash soup is to die for,” I say.
Archer nods, digging into his own serving.
The sweet and salty spoonful is finally warming me up. That walk back was fun, but it was a cold one.
Archer lifts his bowl and drinks down the remainder of his soup. “Divine.”
The table spins suddenly.
“My soup!” I try to grab it, but the inn is turning the table too quickly.
When the table stops, the scent of fresh linens and wood polish dances through the air. The inn’s magic has refilled my bowl, and a plate of Snowlight cookies rests ona platter in front of Archer.
He looks around at the inn’s walls, black eyebrow raised. “Yes, yes. I acknowledge that the cookie incident was a delicious twist of fate.”
The platter shakes and he laughs. “What else does the inn want me to say?” he asks me.
“I have no idea.”
I take a cookie and bite into the soft, sugary icing. The cookie is warm and exactly the right level of both soft and crisp. Dew brings us a plate of her new cheese twists. We each take one and savor the chewy, cheesy bread. This whole meal is an absolute dream.
A panel in the wall flicks downward, and a blanket shoots out, slapping Archer on the shoulder before it lands on the chair to my left. I chuckle and wrap the wool around me.
Archer tilts his head, rubbing his shoulder. “Ah. I can guess what the Acorn Inn wants me to say.” He looks up at the ceiling beam. “I also acknowledge that your lady owner was right in kissing me at the book faire.”
All the candles in the inn flicker and flare brightly, making the rest of the crowd gasp and laugh.
Archer takes a cookie and enjoys a bite, hissparkling gaze on me. “I suppose we will have to live here, hmm? Will the inn ever let me win an argument with you?”
Mossette winds her way around my ankles, and I reach down to give her some chin scratches. “Yes, we will, Archer, my love, and no, it won’t.”
His head tips back as he laughs and I have never been happier in my life.
Archer stands. “Come with me for a minute, all right?”
I join him, and he leads me away from the table. His arse looks rather nice in his new dark green trousers. I look forward to removing them. He takes me to the dark corner where the stairs and the wall of my office meet. Then he takes my hands, and my heart jumps. His touch sends lightning through me every time. What does he need to tell me? My pulse ratchets up. Is this something bad? His narrowed gaze peppers my face like he’s concerned about what he’s going to say.
“What is it?” I ask, my palms growing damp.
I hope he isn’t upset that we didn’t end Valeria for good. Or does he regret committing to me in the runic circle?
“Colette, I didn’t want to put you on the spot in the Snowlightclearing, because it’s probably too soon to ask this, but…” He goes to one knee, kisses my hand, and looks at me with half-lidded eyes. My heart is beating hard in my ears and a thrill buzzes across my mate mark.
“Archer…” I don’t dare hope.
“Feel free to say no, and I will simply be yours as you see fit, but Colette, is there any chance you would consider marrying me?”
My face hurts from smiling too hard. I leap on him, wrapping myself around him like an octopus. I kiss his cheeks and his mouth. One of his fangs pricks my tongue in the mayhem.
“Of course, I’ll marry you!” I shout, unable to hold in my joy.
Those close enough to hear me over the music and the conversation cheer as they did in the Snowlight clearing. The gossip spreads through the room until everyone is toasting us with their mugs and cups.
Archer kisses me thoroughly, his hands everywhere, until it’s obvious we need to go upstairs. Now.
He picks me up and carries me to my room. Our room. He kicks the door shut. The shades over my windows roll down on their own, and one candle flickers to life. I hear theclick of the door’s lock, then the scent of the inn’s power fades as if it is leaving us our privacy.
I undo the tie at Archer’s neckline and unbuckle his belt. He removes his belt and dagger and tosses them to the floor. I tug his shirt up, and he helps me by ducking out of it. His ruby necklace looks decadent on his bare, powerfully muscled chest.
