Page 156 of Wicked Sea and Sky

“Your money? Please. Cass and I are mystical plantentrepreneurs now. This is a quest. Do you want to go on another adventure?”

He held up the parchment, gaze widening at the familiar crest inked in the corner.

“Is that?”

“Your family crest? Yes. I had Annie make me a map—Bowen approved, of course. She's getting really good.”

I pressed my hand against his chest, over his heart. “Gavin, you’ve spent a lifetime looking for answers. And my greatest desire is to give them to you. You said I was your compass. Let me lead the way. We’ll find the rest of your family. Together.”

“Gods, Mare...”

He pulled me in, hands bracing the sides of my face, and kissed me. His mouth was warm and trembling at the edges as if he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I threaded my fingers through his hair, smiling against his lips, still holding the jewel in my other hand.

Except… it didn’t feel like a jewel.

I pulled back, opening my hand with a frown. A golden band rested in my palm, set with a massive sapphire that sparkled like the ocean.

My breath caught.

“Gavin—Is this? Are you?”

He took the ring from my palm and slid to one knee in the grass.

“I had a whole speech planned. It was really quite moving. And I'm the thief, but I look at you, and you steal every thought. Every breath.” Gavin swallowed thickly. “So I'll keep it simple. Marry me, Mare. You’ve given me everything. So now…” His voice roughened with emotion. “Give me the rest of your days. Because you already have the rest of mine.”

I sank to my knees in front of him, hand shaking as he slipped the ring onto my finger. I looked up at him, the man who never let me go, who rebuilt my house, and promised to fill it with a lifetime of love and adventure.

And I answered in the only way a thief like him would understand.

“Don’t tempt me with a good time, Gavin.”

Then we sealed the deal—like partners always do. I kept the last word, and he carried me home.