Page 39 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

I did as he said, and Tharan jolted a bit. “It works!”

“Probably shouldn’t have done it so close to one another,” I laughed.

“Just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.” He took another drink of champagne. “Let’s eat. We don’t want this going to waste.”

The flavor of the enchanted foods danced on my tongue. I ate until my stomach begged me to stop.

“Everything is so wonderful,” I said, staring up at the stars.

“There’s one more thing.” Tharan stood, offering me his hand.

“Oh?” I clasped my hand around his, wondering what could make this night better.

Slipping an arm around my waist, he pulled me in close. “One last dance before we part.”

“But there’s no music.”

He snapped his fingers, and a string quartet of only instruments appeared through the entrance.

“You’ve really thought of everything.”

“I wanted everything to be perfect for you. And I didn’t know the next time we’d get the chance to dance together.”

My heart overflowed with love, and words emptied out of my head.

“I don’t know what to say, Tharan.”

He smiled as we danced around the meadow, illuminated by the golden leaves above and the luminescent flowers below. Color danced across our faces.

“I told you I’d show you just what kind of man I am.”

“And you haven’t disappointed.”

“I try not to disappoint the ones I love anymore.”

I nuzzled my nose against his, and he pulled me in closer.

“If I die tomorrow, I would die a happy man. This time with you has been the happiest I’ve been… well, possibly ever,” he whispered, as if saying it too loud would jinx it.

A pressure built behind my eyes. “I don’t want to think about you dying. Not on a night this perfect.”

“You’re right, my love. Let’s just enjoy the evening.” He rested his head on me as we swayed to the cheerful music.

We danced until late in the evening, neither wanting to let the other go.

“Aelia, we need our rest.”

I nodded into his chest.

Tharan snapped his fingers, and the instruments disappeared. Only the sound of crickets filled the night air.

“What now?” I asked. “Are we going back?”

Tharan gave me a coy smile.

“I thought we’d spend our last night together under the stars.” He snapped his fingers. Vines climbed from the earth, twisting themselves into a bedframe. Cotton sprouted and rolled itself into the shape of a mattress. Bioluminescent flowers sprouted from the vines, casting the oasis in a delicate pink light.

“Oh, Tharan.”

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