Page 99 of Charmed By Destiny

“We did, didn’t we?”

With a grin, Richard shoved some of the smaller bags into a large one. “I only want to make a single trip into the house.”

Although their inspirit driver tried to help, they shooed him away and grabbed their purchases. They wished him a good night, and Richard would’ve waved at him as he left, but his hands were too full. Instead, he followed Maribeth into the foyer.

The lovely sound of the piano greeted Richard, and he wondered if it was his mother or Eric playing.

“Let’s leave everything here for a minute,” Maribeth suggested, dumping the bags on the floor.

“Are you nuts? If we sneak it upstairs, we can avoid Dad’s wrath.”

“Like he’s not going to demand receipts, get real, Richard.”

To Richard’s shock, Maribeth tugged at the bags he was holding. He tightened his grip. “Knock it off, Mari. I’m not going to leave this shit in the foyer. Are you trying to piss both our parents off? Mom will freak at the mess.”

“Richard, put it down,” Maribeth ordered, and Richard gasped as she yanked again, ripping one of the bags open and scattering lipsticks, clothes, shoe boxes, and several other items across their mother’s pristine foyer.

“Great,” Richard grumbled. “Now, help me clean this up.”

“Lucas,” Maribeth shouted. “Call your damn soulmate into the great room before I deck him.”

“Dragonfly, come in here, please,” Lucas yelled.

Maribeth grabbed the rest of the bags from Richard’s now-limp fingers and set them aside. The last thing Richard wanted to do was make a larger mess, which was why he’d stopped resisting her attempts to steal his bags. She grasped his upper arm with surprising strength.

“Come with me, please,” Maribeth said through her teeth.

Curious to know what was going on and why Lucas had bellowed, Richard went without resistance into the great room. Maribeth released him, and Richard stood, confused. The space was beautifully lit with dozens of candles. Eric’s elegant playing of Chopin added to the romantic ambiance. So did the floral bouquets, the chilling champagne bottles, and the delectable treats spread across the dining table.

Everyone except himself and Maribeth were dressed in evening attire. Lucas was divine in a black suit that he’d paired with a shirt and tie nearly the same gorgeous shade of gray as his eyes. For a moment, Richard wasn’t sure what was going on. But his hand flew to his mouth as Lucas approached him, then bent to balance himself on one knee.

Lucas’s incredible gaze was solemn and filled with so much affection that Richard couldn’t help but weep with joy that he was lucky enough to have found him.

“Dragonfly, destiny made us soulmates, but I like to think the love between us was something we built together. Your sass, confidence, beauty, and enormous heart have enriched my life beyond measure. Before we met, I didn’t know it was possible for two people to care for each other unconditionally. Although I can’t wrap my head around eternity or how lucky I am to have you, I’d like to ask you to be my husband. Will you marry me?”

Richard was so focused on the strong planes of Lucas’s handsome face, he didn’t notice Lucas was holding anything until he flipped the lid on the box. The ring was a magnificent creation that suited Richard as flawlessly as Lucas did.

Reaching out, Richard cupped Lucas’s jaw in both his hands.

“I’d love to be your husband.”

Quickly rising to his feet, Lucas hauled Richard close so that his boots dangled in the air, and their lips met in a solid kiss that told the necromancer he wasn’t imagining the past few moments. Lucas’s proposal with his entire family present was a dream come true.

“My legs are fucking shaking,” Lucas commented. “Thank you. I love you.”

“No, thank you,” Richard replied, caressing his cheek. “I love you too.”

Closing his eyes, Richard wrapped his arms securely around Lucas and held on. He’d been a fool to think it wasn’t necessary to find his soulmate. But it was easy to understand how he’d grown so deluded. Richard hadn’t imagined he’d wind up with someone as kind, gentle, loving, and remarkable as Lucas.

Eventually, he pulled away and smiled at Lucas. The inspirit grinned back. Their lips met in another kiss. This time, the caress was soft, slow, and as romantic as everything else Lucas had put together.

“Do you want to put on the ring now?” Lucas whispered.

Adoring him, Richard laughed. “Are you kidding? Did you see how fucking beautiful that thing is? Absolutely.”

Richard was gently set on the floor, and Lucas pushed the gorgeous ring onto his trembling finger. It was a perfect fit.

“Are those dragonfly wings?” Richard asked.

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