I set the book aside and go to him. The moment I'm close enough, he scoops me up, and I kiss him deeply until I feel the tension drain from his body.
"Better?"
He chuckles, nuzzling my neck. "I can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"Nope." I trace my fingers along his jaw. "Now where are we going?"
He kisses my head. "Now that is a surprise, and no, you're not going to get it out of me."
I pout. "Are you sure you don't want to tell me?"
"Absolutely, now go." He smacks my ass and sets me down.
I'm still laughing as I head to our bedroom where I find he's pulled out a couple of new dresses with matching coats. I run my fingers over the fabric, smiling. He's always so considerate.
Forty minutes later, I'm bundled in a warm emerald-green coat and scarf that matches the embellishments of the black sparkling dress underneath, waiting for Sol on the balcony. When he joins me wearing a matching green suit I grin.
"How did you know?"
He smirks. "I peeked."
I laugh and smack his chest. "That's cheating."
He catches my hand and kisses it softly. "It was worth it."
Something about the way he says it—like he's not just talking about the outfit—makes my heart flutter. Then he wraps me in his arms, his wings spread wide, and he takes off, making me squeal in delight.
Flying with Sol is wondrous. The city shrinks beneath us until there's nothing but us and the stars in the night sky.
We fly out over the ocean until a beam of light appears. Sol angles us downward toward a cliff overlooking the water, bathed in the soft glow of the moon.
He lands gently but doesn't let me down. Carrying me until we reach a path covered in rose petals surrounded in candlelight.
"Sol," I breathe. "This is beautiful."
He ducks his head, and when he takes my hand, I feel the faintest tremor running through his fingers. "I hoped you'd like it."
I lace our fingers together and smile up at him. "How could I not? Thank you for doing this for me."
The smile he gives me is tight. I open my mouth to ask him what's wrong but close it as he starts to lead me down the path. With every step the candlelight grows until we stop in front of an arch decorated in dozens of roses and white glittering candles.
I gasp at the sight, my hands flying to my mouth as I try to take it all in.
Sol turns me to him, slowly gets down on one knee, pulling out a small box.
Oh.
Oh.
"Sienna," he says softly, taking my shaking hand in his, "For a long time I wondered why I was made. I didn't understand what my life's meaning could be, or if I even had one, but selfishly, I hoped I did. I hoped that there was a purpose to all of this, that if I just waited long enough I'd find it." He wets his lips and swallows hard. "Luckily, I was right. My life's meaning, my purpose in this world, I see all of it every time I look at you."
Tears blur my vision. "Sol?—"
Gently, he wipes them away. "Sienna, my precious dawn, we've already pledged to spend our lives together, but the day we did, there was a promise I made to you. That if I would have found you first it would have been my ring on your finger, my house that you would make a home. My arms that you would sleep in, that the person by your side would be me. I want to keep that vow with you, and I want this ring to be a symbol of it, of my love and devotion for you. Of the kindness, thoughtfulness, dedication, peace, and joy that you bring into my life every day and that I will always strive to bring into yours. Sienna Nicole Gallagher, will you marry me?"
I start nodding before he even finishes. Then I fall to my knees, and he catches me. I'm half crying, half laughing as I wrap my arms around him, kissing every inch of his face. "Yes," I say, my voice shaky and breathless. "Yes, Sol. A thousand times yes!”
The tension in his expression finally eases and he gives me the most brilliant, radiant smile I've ever seen. He laughs with me, a single tear rolling down his cheek that I wipe away as he slips the ring on my finger.
