Page 52 of The Edge of Darkness

She nodded.

“Good.”

“I’d do the same for you. You should have seen what a mess I was when Aremis ported me back here. Leaving you behind . . . I didn’t think my heart could bear it. I cried every night. If it weren’t for Aremis . . .” Her voice drifted off, and her face fell, recalling the memory.

“That’s why Aremis is my second. He will never hesitate to do the hard things when they are necessary. He can keep his emotions out of things. I owe him a life debt for getting you out and keeping you safe.”

“Your Trium is truly special.”

“They’re yours, too.”

The corner of her mouth lifted. “They told me I had to take your place while you were gone. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Whatever you did, you did it well. You organized one hell of a rescue mission.”

She slid her fingers through the longer pieces of hair that fell over my forehead. “I had their help, but thank you.” She tugged on a strand playfully. “Just don’t ever get captured again.”

“Anything else you’d like to demand of me, darling?”

“Hmm . . .” She made a show of thinking. “Not at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

“In that case, I have a request,” I said, catching her hand and twining my fingers through hers.

“Oh? A request? Not a demand⁠—”

“Marry me.”

She froze, her fingers tightening around mine.

“Marry me, Auren.”

“W-Why?” she stammered. “I mean, of course! But, why? I thought the fae didn’t⁠—”

“The fae have a mating ceremony to join two souls in union. It’s not called ‘marriage,’ like it is in the human realm, but it’s essentially the same. It’s a sacred ceremony, performed by a priestess or an Adorner. A few spoken words, oaths, and that’s it. For a High Lord, it acts as a public recognition of shared power, with witnesses present to vouch that it occurred. And it’s a declaration I can make to the entire world that I love you.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and I wiped it away with my thumb. “I love you more than life itself, and I want to make you mine, in word and in bond.”

“I love you too. And I want the same,” she said, still gripping my hand as if it were the bond itself.

“I’ll have it arranged then,” I said, eyeing her lips before I claimed them in another deep kiss.

When we finally pulled back for breath, her mouth twisted in a slight grin. “I have a request of my own.”

“Anything you wish.”

“I get to design my gown.”

I raised her hand and planted a kiss on the back of it. “Done.”

She beamed.

“But first, we need to take a small trip.”

“And where is it that we’ll be going?”

“To your little Dionach’s lair. I want to meet his wardeness and confirm for myself that he is who he says he is.”

She gave me a pointed look, calling out my skepticism. “I clearly recall Elspeth saying Dionachs are inherently good beings and loyal to their cause. I don’t think he would lie about this.”

“In any case, I want to be sure. You’re too important to me—to the realms.”