Page 71 of Embers to Flames

“Yes,” I whisper, his proposal finally sinking in. “Yes, Theo. Yes,I’ll marry you!”

A radiant grin spreads across his face as I roll on top of him, my mouth finding his in a searing kiss. Our tongues dance together, our passion suddenly reignited by our new-found commitment. His hands roam over my body and I feel his erection hardening once more between my thighs. I tremble in anticipation as he takes his time to remind me exactly what forever is going to feel like.

We eventually break apart for air, both panting heavily. Theo grins like a schoolboy with a secret. “How should we tell the others?”

Oh boy, I hadn’t thought of that. “Maybe we shouldn’t tell everyone just yet.”

Theo’s expression changes and his eyes soften. “Oh?”

“Well… it’s just… my separation from Mikyl is still… fresh.” I say, hoping he understands my concern. “And with everything we have all been through, it just seems like too much to take in.”

Theo’s face falls slightly at my words, but he nods in understanding. I can still see the disappointment in his eyes. “Of course, you’re right,” he says.

I reach out and take his hand, interlacing our fingers. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell them, my love. I just think we should wait for the right moment. When things have settled, and it doesn’t feel quite so… complicated.”

Theo lifts our joined hands and presses a soft kiss to my knuckles. “I know,” he says gently. “I don’t want to cause youany more pain or put you in an awkward position. We’ll tell the others when the time is right.”

The ease of his acceptance and understanding makes my heart swell. I lean in and kiss him tenderly. “Thank you for being so patient with me,” I whisper against his lips. “I know this isn’t exactly how you pictured it being.”

Theo chuckles and pulls me close. “The only thing that matters is that you said yes.”

Theo and I make our way downstairs, hand in hand, unable to keep the smiles off our faces. As we near the dining hall, the smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling sausages makes my stomach rumble.

We round the corner and find Lords Ailwin, Erhorn, Phirel, and Klaern seated around the large wooden dining table, passing platters of food and chatting amiably. Lenna and Alyndra are notably absent. Before we can take our seats, the dining hall doors swing open behind us as they both enter, giggling and whispering to each other.

My eyes go wide as I take in their disheveled hair and rumpled clothes. They both flush crimson when they see us, mouths snapping shut mid-laugh. Understanding dawns on me immediately. They had spent the night together.

Theo raises an eyebrow at me, a soulful question travels from his gaze into my mind.“Wait… Did they…?”

I give him a subtle nod. I can’t help the knowing smile that spreads across my face. It seems Theo and I aren’t the only ones who have found solace in each other during this chaos. Theo squeezes my hand supportively as we make our way to the table, beckoning Lenna and Alyndra to join us. They avoid eye contact, cheeks still flushed, but relief shines in their eyes at our silent acceptance.

Mikyl enters the dining hall with trepidation, unsure of the reception he will receive after last night’s dramatic escape from Mt. Ero and the Fortress of Silence. Despite my reassurances, I can still see the doubt gnawing at him as he approaches the long wooden table. Heads turn in unison at his arrival, conversations dying mid-sentence. Mikyl forces himself to meet their gazes head-on, shoulders back and chin up. The silence is stretched taut as a bowstring.

Theo is surprisingly the first to move, half-rising from his chair with a hesitant smile. “Mikyl,” he says softly, “won’t you join us?” His gentle welcome breaks the spell of taciturnity throughout the room.

Lord Erhorn pulls out the chair beside him with a wink. “We’ve saved you the best seat, right by the sausages.” Laughter ripples around the table, the tension dissolving.

Mikyl sinks into the proffered chair, and I can see his shoulders relax as the tension leaks from his body. As I sip my tea, I feel a gentle kick under the table. I look up to see Theo gazing at me, his striking golden eyes full of warmth. He gives me a sly wink and my heart flutters. I still can’t believehe’s mine. After everything we’ve endured, our love has only grown stronger.

Just then, the doors fly open with a resounding bang. We all jump in our seats as an Elven guard enters the room, his face flushed from exertion. “My lords,” he gasps, struggling to catch his breath. “King Varitan approaches the gates!”

Every person seated at the grand table slowly rises to their feet, anticipation rippling through the air as we prepare for the arrival of The King—my father. The room falls into a reverent hush, the murmurs and clinking of cutlery ceasing abruptly. All eyes turn towards the towering double doors, awaiting the regal entrance that commands such profound reverence.

At last, King Varitan strides into the dining hall. His measured footfalls ring out in the silence. In unison, we all drop to one knee, heads bowed in deference to our king. His sharp gaze sweeps over each of us, coming to rest on me.

He gestures for me to rise, then turns to address the others. “My friends, we have much to discuss, but please, continue with your morning meals.”

Echoes of “Your Majesty” drift around the room as we resume our seats. King Varitan sits at the head of the table, Theo on one side and myself on the other. As we eat, a tense anticipation hangs in the air. The King speaks little, observing each of us in turn as he consumes his breakfast. Finally, he pushes his plate away. The room falls silent.

“There is a matter of grave importance I must share with you all,” he says heavily. “Prince Ruvyn has made contact. He demands the surrender of our lands or else prepare for imminent invasion at the hands of his Obscuro army.” The room falls silent as the gravity of the situation sinks in, and all eyes turn to him once more, waiting for his next words.

“There’s something else,” he says, his gaze dropping to the ground. “He is also demanding for the timely execution of Princess Rosanhi for fear of even the slightest possibility she may plot to seize the throne and take his power for herself.”

“Your Majesty,” Lord Erhorn starts, “You aren’t possibly considering this… are you?”

The King is hesitant to respond. Telling me all I need to know. I glare at the man who claims to be my father, my fists clench at my sides in a mix of rage and disbelief. He sits stoically, refusing to meet my gaze or acknowledge my presence. The room erupts with gasps and angry whispers from the lords gathered around the table.

“But I don’t want your gods-damned throne!” I shout, rising from my seat with such force that the chair topples over behind me. A tense silence falls over the hall as all eyes turn to me. “You would have me executed to appease this… this tyrant?” I demand, my voice echoing off the stone walls. “I am supposed to be your daughter! Your own flesh and blood!”

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