Page 73 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

“It was perfect,” Emara cut in, and she could feel Torin’s gaze on her. “It didn’t need to be anywhere else or anything else. It was perfect for us.”

“So, let me get this straight, this happened before we walked you back down to the entertainment hall?” Artem’s voice was high in disbelief as he looked from Breighly back to Torin.

“Yes. Not everyone needed to know until we were ready to announce it. And if I had told you, the full kingdom would have heard about it by now.”

“Damn right they would have,” Artem agreed, scowling at Gideon, who just sighed. “That’s what a best man would do.”

Emara let out a giggle, and Torin gave her a quick wink before his gaze set back on his friend. “I asked her to be my wife because I can’t go another day without her.”

“Awwww,” Artem cooed. “You honestly surprise me every day, Blacksteel. I knew there was a nice bastard in there somewhere.” His eyes flew to Naya. “Again, apologies for my language.”

Everyone in the room laughed, including Gideon. Even Naya smirked.

Emara played with the ring on her hand again, looking down as it sparkled. “We were going to tell everyone at the celebration, but everything moved so quickly…”

“It’s okay.” Naya’s kind azure eyes blinked a few times before she stepped towards Torin, her emerald gown sweeping the floor. “I am so proud of you, my boy.” She reached up on her tiptoes and ran a hand over his face. “I have never been prouder of you than I am today.”

When Torin hugged her, dwarfing his mother, Emara’s heart found itself in her mouth and tears stung her eyes.

“Rhiannon has blessed us when we needed it most,” she said as her heels found the floor again.

“Yes, she has, Mrs Blacksteel,” Artem said. “And I am sure she will bless us again and send health to Kellen too.”

Arlo looked up with concern then, his eyes went to his brother as his words echoed around the room.

“She will,” was all Naya said.

As Artem begged for more details from Torin and Naya went back over to Kellen, Emara found her feet travelling over to Gideon.

“Congratulations,” he said with a nod. “I am happy for you and Torin.”

“Thank you.” She flashed a nervous smile at him. “You have no idea how much that means to hear that from you.”

Gideon nodded before letting out a small laugh. “There is never a dull moment in the Blacksteel Tower, is there?”

“No,” Emara said back, a little note of endearment in her voice. “There really isn’t.”

Her head turned to the door when Rhea came through it holding a tray full of elixirs. Gideon moved quickly to hold the door open for her and then Torin moved to take the heavy tray from her hands.

“Did you find the witch-hazel and the leaf of a mandrake?” Naya asked.

“I found everything we need,” Rhea confirmed. Her hair was a mess, hinting that her search for the plants had been frantic.

Once everything had been crushed, mixed, and brewed, Naya placed the vial of potion to Kellen’s lips and poured the liquid down his throat.

Before long, Emara saw the greyness of Kellen’s skin start to take on the golden Blacksteel colouring again. Relief washed over her as his fingers relaxed. As the potion worked through his arms, legs, and spine, the tension in his body eased. Naya took a seat on the edge of his bed and brushed his hair back from his face. “Come on, my baby. Come back to us.”

His chest began rising and falling normally, and his lips parted from the thin tight line they had morphed into. His eyes flickered open, and Rhea handed Naya some water for him to drink right away.

A gasp left his mouth, and Naya caught the back of his head, encouraging him to drink.

“My baby,” Naya cried out. She hugged him tightly. Gideon let out a heavy breath, and Torin ran a hand over his face and through his inky hair.

“Welcome back, baby Blacksteel,” Artem announced. He nodded in Emara’s direction, taking his leave. “I will leave you guys alone.”

“Actually…” Kellen’s voice was scratchy like his screaming had done some damage, and everyone froze. “I need as many of you to hear this as possible.”

Naya placed her forehead to her son’s as she gripped his hands. “Kellen, you don’t have to say anything in front of anyone. We can talk about this later.”

---