Page 131 of Seared Fates

“I vowed to kneel for no man.”

“Are you proposing?” I whisper, tears rising.

“You think I don’t know all the secret things you want, love?” He reaches for my scarred cheek, my braids pulled away from my face, and Vidar smiles with such honesty that a little sob hops free from my bobbing throat. “I know you, Kai. Kairos. We’re soulmates, but that doesn’t change that you deserve every declaration of my love.”

My heart breaks, too full for this man before me.

“And I want the world to know that you are mine, and I am yours.”

I whimper, leaning into his hand. Holding onto his forearm in fear, my shaking legs will buckle.

“So hopefully when I ask you this question, I won't make a fool of myself,” he grins, so handsome in the setting sun. “You know how I am with words.”

A wet chuckle ripples out between my sniffling, and as I try to memorise every single detail of this moment, even knowing I’ll never be able to capture the perfection, I’m asked a single question.

“Kai, will you marry me?”

I say yes again and again and again.

I’m pulled—or fall—into Vidar’s lap, our mouths meeting with the taste of my tears, a few of his own and butter.

The blazing sun dips further, pink turning into purple to meet with the last traces of blue, and with grass tangled in our hair—a ring shining on my finger—we make love, and I tell Vidar yes again, and again…and always.

The End