Page 471 of Reign

The emerald-cut diamond catches the afternoon light, flashes of white breaking across the stone between two tapered baguettes.

One hand rises to cover her mouth.

“You’ve been ruining my plans since the day I met you,” I tell her.

A breathless laugh slips through her fingers. “I have not.”

“You have. I was supposed to help you find someone else.”

“The list,” she whispers.

“The fucking list.”

She laughs through the first tear that slips down her cheek.

“I spent weeks deciding what kind of man deserved you, and I hated every man on that list because none of them were me.”

“Luciano…”

“I love you, princesa. I want every version of you that comes after this one. Every dress you haven’t made. Every room you decide needs flowers. Every argument we’re going to have because I still don’t know the difference between charmeuse and satin.”

A wet laugh escapes her. “You should know by now.”

“I don’t.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

“I’ll survive.”

I reach for her hand. She gives it to me immediately.

“You’ve knelt for me because you chose to.” My thumb moves over her knuckles. “I’m kneeling for you because I choose you.”

Her lips part.

“Marry me.”

She looks at the ring, then at the office surrounding us.

“This is so soon.”

“Are you planning to find someone else, princesa?”

Her eyes snap to mine. “What? No, I love you.”

“Then we’ve already made the only choice that matters.” I hold her gaze. “Answer my question. Will you marry me?”

Elena sinks to her knees in front of me.

Her hands close around my face.

“Yes.”

For a second, I can only look at her.

“Yes?”

“Yes.” She laughs through her tears. “Obviously, yes.”