"In Elowen, you chose me," he starts, looking up at me, grasping my hand in his. "Since then, we haven't really spoken of our engagement and what it all entails, but I wanted to ask you for myself." He takes a steadying breath. "I promise to fight for you, protect you, and love you with every fiber of my being until I breathe my last." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box. He flips the top open to reveal a sparkling circular diamond ring surrounded by golden spikes. It shimmers, reminding me of the sun. "Aurelia Basilius - Sol, will you marry me?"
If the proposal didn't steal my breath, Atlas using my birthname for the first time does. I thumb tears from my face and a chuckle slips through.
"You… you called me Aurelia."
His smile is radiant, his eyes hopeful. "If I'm to ask you to be my wife, I think it's only fitting to use the name you were born with."
My face softens, my insides warm from his thoughtfulness. I kneel before him, placing my palms on either side of his face and smile. "Of course, I will marry you, Atlas."
His lips find mine and I'm lost in the dream of him. With swift and accurate hands, he slips the ring on my left hand. I wiggle my fingers, admiring the custom-made piece.
"I hope you like it," he says lowly, and if I hadn't looked at him, I might have missed the droop of his shoulders. It's the first sign of nerves I've seen from him. "If not, I will have the jeweler redesign – "
I press my mouth against his, silencing him. "It's perfect."
Seraxes huffs, drawing our attention. She drops her head over us, sniffing the ring. As if she senses a shift in our dynamic, she nudges Atlas's shoulder.
"I think she approves," I laugh and Atlas tugs me to his chest in a hug.
"So, what should I call you?" He pulls back just enough to meet my gaze. "Mrs. Harland? Lady Harland? Professor Harland? Princess Harland?"
I bark out a laugh, resting my forehead against his chest.
"In all seriousness, do you prefer me to call you Aurelia or Shaye?"
I have so many names and titles. His question causes me to think. All this time I thought I had to decide on one name, but the truth is both make me who I am. I don't have to give up either one.
"I'm Shaye to you," I say simply.
"But what about your birthname?" His face is filled with confusion.
"To the world I am Aurelia Basilius – Sol. But to you, to our family, I will always be Shaye." I shrug a shoulder. "Consider it my nickname."
Atlas smiles and whispers, "Shaye," lovingly in my ear. "Mine," he growls, his chest vibrating against my own. "All mine."
Our romantic moment is short-lived when a Frost Dragon pierces through the clouds, descending toward us. I squint, the sun behind the rider's back. But finally, I make out Kamari and Syrinx and hop to my feet.
I run toward her when she lands. "Is something wrong?"
"Wrong?" Her brows furrow. "No."
"Then what are you doing here?" I ask, a twinge of irritation lacing my words.
"Thrane wants to see you," she reports.
"Now?"
She grimaces. "Afraid so. Said it's important and can't wait."
If Kamari is saying it can't wait, then Thrane is probably already inconvenienced I'm not there this very moment.
I groan, shooting Atlas an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."
He waves me off. "We'll see what he wants and then celebrate tonight," he says with a mischievous wink that sets my heart ablaze. "I have a few ideas on how."
With an incentive dangling before me like meat on a hook, I march to Seraxes and mount her back. First thing is first. Find out what Thrane needs so desperately and then go home with my fiancé to celebrate our engagement in all the glorious ways he desires.
Thirty - One
