Page 25 of Shiny Things

Unfortunately, retrieving his gift means I have to leave the bed, and he complains the entire time. He welcomes my return by tackling me with a kiss, momentarily forgetting that I have something for him.

Poe finally pulls back and sticks out his hand, wiggling in anticipation. I place a small box on his palm and his brows shoot up.

“Thorin? What is this?”

I kiss his forehead. “It’s exactly what you think it is.”

He opens the ring box, and his jaw hits his chest. “Diamondandplatinum?” he asks, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

“Your favorites,” I respond, stroking his cheek. “I loved you before I understood what was happening. Though I struggled with our mating at first, I have not one single doubt in my mind that moving from Seattle to Texas was the universe arranging things so I couldmeet you. So that I could be yours and you could be mine. It has taught me the difference between a fated love and the cheap love others tried to give me.”

Poe’s eyes go shiny with tears, and he stretches up for a kiss.

“I came to you heartbroken, and you helped me put myself back together. For that alone, I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life.”

Taking the ring from the box, I hold it up and ask the most important question I’ve ever asked in my life.

“Poe Ravenswood, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Thorin Wolfsbane,” he says, his voice cracking on my name. “I will marry you. I will be yours forever.”

My hands shake as I place the ring on his slender finger, kissing him through a mess of smiles and tears, sealing the pact started by an interfering universe.

Our love, like the stars, will burn forever.