Page 58 of His Noble Savior

“My lips are sealed.”

Richard slid his hands onto Lilian’s knees. “I want you to know that I’d defend and protect you to my last drop of blood. There’s nothing you could say or do that’d change that.”

“Richard…”

“I swear my love and loyalty to you. I’ll take care of you no matter what, fulfill your every need, and forsake all others. Even a princess. No one can hold a candle to you.”

Lilian palmed Richard’s cheek. “You’re the first person who’smade me feel worthy, and it means the world. All my life, I’ve been discarded and abandoned—until you came. You pursued me when everyone else would’ve been glad I was gone. My gratitude knows no bounds. You’re my light, and I want to pay my debt to you in any way you see fit.”

Lilian’s words hit Richard like a wave, and he had to swallow the emotion brimming in him. “You want to pay your debts?”

“Yes,” Lilian said with an edge of desperation.

“Then as I said, I have a proposal.” Richard, heart pounding, took Lilian’s hands in his. “I’m going to ask you for the most valuable thing you have to give. It’s worth so much that it’ll put me in lifelong debt to you, but I don’t care. It’s all I want.”

“I’d give you anything.”

Richard shook his head. “You should be careful. You can’t lie, and you can’t take back what you just said.”

“I know. Anything I can give is yours,” Lilian said, squeezing Richard’s hands. His large pink eyes were heartbreakingly beautiful.

“I’d like your hand in marriage.”

A shock bolted into Lilian. He yanked his hands out of Richard’s, clasping them in front of his mouth. “That… that’s not… how this… works.”

Richard’s heart sank. His shoulders slumped. He’d been swept away by the euphoria surrounding James and Raziel’s wedding and should’ve known better than to ask Lilian. Richard had wanted too much, and now poor Lilian’s eyes were filling with tears because he’d made a promise he couldn’t get out of.

“Look, we don’t have to—”

“Your hand in marriage is worth more than mine,” Lilian said. “You’re a lord. I’m a destitute lesser fae. If anything, marrying you will put me into greater debt to you.”

Richard frowned. “If you don’t want to marry—”

“Of course I want to marry you.”

A maelstrom of emotion whirled in Richard. “You do?” Then why was Lilian so shocked? Why was he arguing?

“Yes. A thousand times yes.”

Richard launched himself at Lilian and brought their lips together as they fell onto the bed. Lilian had never tasted sweeter.

“You’re going to be mine?”

“Forever,” Lilian said against his lips.

Richard slid into his mouth, earning a soft moan. He stroked Lilian’s tongue, making him arch under his weight.

“I’ll still owe you,” Lilian said when they broke apart, concern lining his brow.

“No. I want a faerie wedding. I want to have you, body and soul, inescapably, forever.”

“I’d have yours too, so we’ll be even at best. I’ll still owe you for everything else.”

“You underestimate your worth,” Richard said. “You’re my sun. You’re the most gorgeous, most tender creature I’ve ever met. I want every part of you, and you’re worth more than anything gold could buy. Accept my hand in marriage, and consider all debts paid, current and future.”

Tears pearled from Lilian’s eyes as he fiercely nodded. “Yes. Marry me. Please.”

Richard kissed his tears away. “Oh, I will.”

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