Page 32 of Ruined Kingdom

“Of course, sir. Right away.” She turned quickly and broke out into a run.

It is possible that she?—

No, I would have sensed it if she was in some kind of danger.

I placed my hands over my heart, feeling a heaviness weigh on me all of a sudden.

Wherever she is, she's experiencing something immense. I can feel her sorrow, but it’s mixed with relief and happiness as well.

This was good, considering I could always find her more easily when she felt intense emotions. I simply kept my hand over my chest and followed wherever the feeling became the strongest. However, I was moving much slower than Laurin. I was sure she would find her first. I chuckled nervously to myself.

For the first time in a long time, I was looking forward to something again. I could hardly believe it. Less than a year ago, I’d been ready to give up on everything. I had resigned myself right into the Fae King’s hands.

Now I was here, living and breathing, and looking forward to a bright future. I had Sophia to thank for all of it.

“Sir!” Laurin came running back just as I was turning a corner. “I have found her. She is on her way.”

“Thank you, Laurin.” I dismissed her and continued walking in the direction she had come from.

What is Sophia doing down in the caretakers’ hall?

I had just entered the hallway when something soft rushed right into my chest. I reached out to catch her, my heart flooding with happiness the moment her stunning greens filled my vision. “There you are.”

“Here I am.” She smiled back at me.

My Goddess… she puts the stars to shame.

“I heard you were looking for me.” She wiped her hair behind an ear.

That was when I noticed her red cheeks and puffy eyes. She had been crying.

“Soph, is something the matter?” I dragged my thumb down her cheek, feeling the dampness from where her tears were recently wiped.

“Not at all. What was it you needed me for?” She was very clearly attempting to change the subject.

I decided it would be better to allow her to tell me in her own time rather than pry. “Yes, of course. If you would come with me.”

I held out my arm for her, and she took it without hesitation. We walked out into the garden, and the lights rose around us like stars that had fallen from the sky.

The sun was in the process of setting on the horizon. The orange and deep purples burst into the sky like a painting coming to life.

The clouds were splattered in pink, with a golden yellow color brushed carefully along the edges.

“What is all this?” Sophia looked around with her lips parted as she let out a nervous breath.

“I have stewed over this moment for quite some time. I wanted everything to be perfect,” I said, hardly able to contain my excitement as I led her deeper into the garden.

Distant music could be heard playing just beyond our line of sight.

“I want to give you the world—the moon and the stars, but for the first time in a long time, I found myself lacking. Nothing I can give you could ever surmount to what you've given me. I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you. But I will spend the rest of my existence becoming the man you deserve.”

Her eyes, which were distracted by our surroundings, slowly trailed back to me. “Kaine…”

My name barely left her lips.

Her face was flushed five different hues of red before she was able to speak again. “What are you saying exactly?”

“I’m saying that I do not ever wish to leave your side. For every step—every hardship, I want to be there, encouraging you, loving you. You have driven me to near madness. I feel like I can’t breathe if you aren’t near. I find that it’s no longer the sun and the moon that begin and end my day. It’s you. I want to bind my soul with yours if you’ll have me.” I poured out the very essence of my being to her. Now, all I could do was hold my breath.

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