Page 104 of The High Priestess

“That’s great news.” He glances between us. “Hmm… I see love is in the air.”

Cassia lets out a chuckle. “He wore me down.”

I nod, the corner of my mouth lifting. “I didn’t give her a choice.”

Santiago shakes his head. “No, brother. You’re the one who didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

Cassia lets out a burst of laughter, which has Santiago smiling at her. “I’m happy to see you’re doing so much better.”

I climb to my feet again, tugging Cassia up with me. “I’m just going to show her the hill then we can visit.”

“Sure. I’ll be here.”

I lead Cassia past the pool and up a path that leads to the hill.

At the top, there’s a tree, and stopping beneath the branches, I glance down at the green grass before looking at Cassia.

She stares out over Santiago’s compound and says, “It’s beautiful from up here. Everything seems so peaceful.”

I let go of her hand, and it has her turning her attention to me.

I flatten my palm against the trunk of the tree and say, “Ronnie’s buried here.”

Cassia’s lips part while she looks at the tree and the grass we’re standing on, then she places her hand beside mine. “Hi, Ronnie.”

I keep quiet for a while, and I swear I can feel Ronnie’s energy wrap around me.

I’ve brought someone very special to meet you. Her name is Cassia, and I think you would’ve liked her.

Removing my hand from the tree, I pull the box out of my pocket and say, “This is where my life ended.” I look at Cassia while opening the lid so she can see the ring before I go down on one knee. “Until I met you, and you breathed new life into me. You’re my every breath, Cassia. My heart belongs only to you.”

Tears start to trickle down her cheeks, then she lowers herself until she’s kneeling in front of me, as well. “You have the power to destroy me.” Her lips curve up. “But I know you won’t. You’re my protector, my love, my life.”

I hold out my hand, and as she lays her palm in mine, I say, “You only kneel before me.”

She nods as I help her back to her feet while rising to my full height. I lock eyes with her as I ask, “Will you marry me,Cassia Dimitrou? Will you allow me to guard you with my life? To protect and cherish you until my final breath?”

“Yes. Yes, and yes,” she replies, a happy smile spreading over her face while her tears keep falling.

I remove the ring from the velvet bed, and as I slip it onto her finger, I let out a breath of relief when it fits.

“Thank fuck,” I mutter, which has Cassia letting out a burst of laughter.

Then she throws her arms around my neck and proceeds to kiss the ever-loving shit out of me.

I engulf her against my chest and return the kiss with every ounce of my obsessed love for her.

I worship her mouth until we’re both breathless before I end the kiss and pull her down to sit on the grass.

I lean back against the tree, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders so she can lie against my chest.

She holds up her left hand and admires the ring, then says, “I love it.”

It’s a plain rose gold band with the biggest princess-cut diamond I could find.

I press a kiss to her hair while rubbing my palm over her shoulder and bicep. “I’m glad you like it.” I lift my other hand and take hold of hers. My thumb brushes over the ring as I say, “Don’t ever take it off.”

“I won’t.”

---