Page 24 of A Balm of Healing
Especially not from a beautiful, talented woman like Gweneth.
Slowly, the flames of happiness, of determination melted the icy shock from his frigid veins as he managed a step forward, and then another with the tree still helping to support his weight.
“And you don’t think I would go with you?” He brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek.
“What about your family? Nyana is here. Your grandchildren.”
Perhaps he was selfish, but… “I have lived my entire life for them. It’s time I live my life for me.” His fingers moved to brush along her neck. “And what I want is to travel with you and go on adventures with you and support you as you reach your career dreams. I know I may not be strong yet, but I will be soon. I swear I won’t slow you down—”
“I don’t care one wick about how slow you travel at my side…” She gripped his hand and squeezed. “…as long as we do it together.”
He swallowed against the nervousness running rampant through his belly as he dug into his pocket and pulled out the ring he’d carved from his pocket. The intricate lacy bone matched the strength and delicateness of the woman before him.
“Em…” she breathed.
A chilly wind rushed through the orchard and sent shivers down his spine with his little protection against the elements. But it didn’t deter him from speaking his heart.
“I intended to ask for your hand far later than now, but…perhaps you might consider a life at my side. A new start for both of us. Whatever that looks like.” Afraid she might reject him, he spoke faster now, not giving her a chance to say anything. “I never thought I would find love again. I never thought I would find happiness. But with you, I feel whole. Complete. You make me want to be better, to see the possibilities of life around me.” He swallowed when emotion threatened to overcome him, especially as her lovely eyes filled with tears. “I love you so much. And I hope you will stay by my side. As my wife.”
Gweneth lifted her spectacles to wipe her eyes before she gave him a watery smile. “I knew I wanted to stay the first moment I forced the front door open with my foot.”
He laughed. “I’ve never met a pushier woman.”
“Not pushy,” she corrected with a wink. “Just determined to get what I want.”
“And…what do you want?”
Her smile widened as she held out her left hand to him. “To find out if that ring fits.”
Releasing an anxious breath, he slipped the ring onto her finger and sighed in relief when it fit. In Attleglade, he’d carved plenty of jewelry, and at one point acquired the skill to guess the correct finger size. But the one time it mattered the most, he was glad he got it right.
He opened his mouth to speak but she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.
Between kisses, she said, “You’re not even wearing shoes! Let’s get you out of the cold and to Nyana’s house.”
He broke the kiss and stared at her with confusion. “But I thought you weren’t going to turn the job down.”
She laughed and ran a hand down his arm. “No, no, no. First, we need to announce our engagement to the people you love. And perhaps we might convince Calle to give us a ride back to your home. I’m not flying through the boughs with you.”
“Then you’re missing out.” He pulled her close and kissed her again. “I know my family will accept you with open arms.”
Chapter Ten
The next two weeks were filled with wedding planning and packing and lots of exercises to strengthen his body to prepare for the journey to Heulwen. Emeric now walked on his own without the aid of a wheelchair or walking sticks. Although he still tired easily, he no longer collapsed or ambled about on unsteady legs.
Emeric forced the last crate of dinnerware closed to take only what they needed to their home in the sun city. Calle had generously gifted them a large plot of land on which to live, and Emeric could hardly wait to dig his fingers into the soil and bring a home to life with his very own magic. He only needed a single seed, but he thought he could findsomethingto purchase in the city when the time came.
Gweneth was more excited than he expected a non-Forest Fae would be to live within the confines of a tree. But he swore to carve it out to her liking and make it a beautiful, cozy home.
For the two of them. Together.
His chest warmed at the thought.
“Em!” Gweneth’s voice shouted from the stairs, followed by footsteps descending to the main floor. “Have you seen my portmanteau? I seem to have misplaced it in the excitement of packing.”
She entered the kitchen, and he took that moment to grab her around her waist and pull her flush against him.
“I think it can wait,” he murmured against her ear, softly trailing kisses down her neck.
