Page 106 of The Realm That Falls to Her

I stare at him, taking this in. But he’s still not done.

“I’m asking you to marry me, because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And as long as I live—however long or short that life may be—I want to know that you belong to me in every way, and I to you.”

My heart feels about three sizes bigger than normal as I take his hand in mine, wondering if I have any words that could do justice to what I feel.

“We’re about to go to a war that I don’t know we’ll survive,” I say frankly. “But even though I’m afraid, I know I can do it, because with you, Ruskin, I’m whoever I want to be. I can be brave, and strong, and face down death without blinking. All I have to do is think that I’m doing it for you, with you, and everything falls into place. I love you. More than I ever thought possible. And whatever comes next, I want to face it with you. So yes, I will marry you.”

He kisses me, and the bond between us glows so fiercely I think it’s in danger of blinding us. I might’ve daydreamed about this moment before, in my most private thoughts, but the reality is different. It’s rushed and imperfect and overshadowed by the specter of the battle ahead, and I don’t care. It’s Ruskin and me, and that’s all that matters.

Our mouths part, but we still cling to each other, knowing that once we separate, we’ll have to think about everything that’s against us.

“Good speech, by the way.” Ruskin smiles against my lips.

“Thanks, you too,” I say, laughing.

“Yes, I thought it was pretty convincing.”

I sigh, grieving having to cut this moment short, but aware of the minutes ticking by.

“We probably have an hour before we have to leave, you know,” I say, glancing at the sun out the window. “And we’ll need to make this official before we find Evanthe. So, how exactly do you throw a fae wedding?”

“Well,” Ruskin says, thinking. “The absolutely first thing you have to do is ask Destan Lionsvale for help.”

Half an hour later, I hover in an alcove of the throne room, feeling ridiculous and excited, not to mention sick and proud all at the same time. Destan almost had a fit when we told him we needed a marriage ceremony and fast. A good five minutes was spent just apologizing to him about the lack of time to design a proper dress. Instead, I’m just wearing one of my old favorites from my first time in Faerie, a modest, light blue dress that I think brings out the color of my eyes. Underneath it, I’m also wearing as much as I can of my battle gear—my riding leathers concealed beneath the pretty silk.

The door swings open, and I look up expectantly, happiness flooding through me when I see Dad come in. I’d sent for him from town, but I hadn’t known if he’d make it in time.

“Dad,” I say, rushing up to him. Suddenly I’m nervous again, wondering what he’ll make of all this.

“So, I hear there’s going to be a wedding,” he says gruffly.

“Yes. It’s complicated, but it has to happen now. For magic reasons,” I add hastily. The last thing I need is Dad thinking we’re rushing because there’s a little Dawnsong on the way.

“And if it weren’t for the magical reasons?” he asks. He searches my face, and I realize his gruffness is just his attempt to hold back his emotions. “Is this what you want, Nora?”

“Yes. I love him,” I say, knowing these to be two simple truths. The rest, however… “But I also have to think about what this means, don’t I?” I ask him. “Marrying Ruskin means I wouldn’t be able to go back to Styrland. Not to live, anyway.”

“And that worries you?” he asks.

“Well, what about you? I don’t want to leave you alone?—”

He waves his hand dismissively. “I’m a full-grown man. If I’m not good at taking care of myself, it’s well past time I figured it out, don’t you think?” He holds my arms, his voice softening. “Now, if you forget about me, does staying here feel right?”

I think it over.

“I want to be the person I’m meant to be, and to be in the right place to do that. Does that make sense?”

“And do you think that’s Faerie?” he prompts.

“I think so.” I remember when I first came here—was dragged here—by Ruskin. All I could think of was escaping and going back home. But Styrland doesn’t feel like home anymore. In some ways, it never really did. I had friends, and Dad, but there wasn’t anyone who really understood my passions and my dreams. There wasn’t room for me to grow the way I needed to. And now that I have…I think I’ve outgrown the life I used to have.

I struggle to figure out how to say this to Dad. “It’s just, so much about the magic here and the way I’ve changed has taken me by surprise,” I say. “I was afraid that my past—my humanity, Styrland—was being taken away from me. But when I think about being here, protecting this kingdom and keeping the people safe? Then it feels right.”

My dad nods understandingly. “Nora, I love you, but what’s really waiting for you back home? You hated living in that village.”

“I didn’t,” I say reflexively.

“Yes, you did,” he insists. “That’s why you got so interested in your mother’s work, and her notes after she died. It’s why you buried yourself in that workshop, tinkering with metals and who knows what. You were always searching for something, beyond us, beyond Styrland.”

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