Page 68 of Sprite Wedding
“We can go now,” I said.
The courtyard was gorgeous, full of beautiful statues and lush, fragrant plants. Lucas held my hand as we meandered around it. Although I expected him to point out the different plants in bloom, he was oddly quiet.
After I sat on a bench, he kneeled down before me.
“Zoe, there’s something I want to ask you.”
Oh, potent potions, was this what it looked like?
He wouldn’t play a prank like this, would he? No, his pranks were fun, not cruel.
He pulled out a small red velvet box from his pocket. When he opened it, I gaped at a stunning ring with a brilliant red gem.
My pulse raced. My breathing became more rapid. So many emotions raced through me that I didn’t know where to begin to process them.
“I know you wanted not to rush things, but I think we’ve taken it slow. We’ve spent plenty of time getting to know each other better and not rushing to move in together.”
I stared at him and then blinked three times in quick succession.
“I understand why you had your fears and doubts, and I’ll be more understanding if they ever return,” he said with such an earnest expression. “You’ve been so patient with me and my foolishness, assuring me I’m not the clown that people sometimes only see. You said you worried that I’d eventually get bored with you. I need to do a better job of communicating how I feel. Being with you means I get to experience life in a much better way—by sharing it with you. That’s more exciting than anything I can imagine.”
“Oh… Lucas.” I was surprised that I could even speak that.
“I always thought my worst fear was a life of boredom. I was wrong, and I realized that when I spent all that time in stone—it’s a life without you in it. All I know is you’re the one for me. My mate. You’re the only one I want to be with, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
My hand trembled as I lifted it to my heart. I sucked in a breath.
“Enough of my babbling.” He fixed a warm, steady gaze on me. “Zoe, will you marry me?”
LUCAS
I knelt on one knee, holding the ring out in the courtyard of the museum, surrounded by the fragrant flowers and the beauty of the multi-leveled courtyard, burning with anticipation as I waited for Zoe’s reply. It was the perfect, most romantic setting to propose to her.
Her hand was on her chest. “Wow, I was not expecting this. My heart is beating like mad.”
A flutter of uncertainty rose. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
If she turned me down, it would be crushing. But it would be her choice, and one I’d have to accept.
Her lips quirked into a smile. “A good thing. My emotions are firing like a wildfire.”
Mine too. Maybe I shouldn’t have planned the proposal here. I thought it had some meaning for us since we’d come here together when we’d first met.
I lowered the box with the ring in it. “If you need more time, I understand.”
She shook her head. “I don’t need any more time.” Her eyes glistened. “I love you and want to be with you forever, Lucas. Of course, I’ll marry you!”
I stood and scooped her off her feet. “Yee ha!”
My holler must have sparked attention as people glanced over and applauded. I’d never been so happy. Not only did I have my mate back in my arms, but she had agreed to marry me.
I spun her around in the courtyard, and Zoe laughed. Her sweet scent wrapped around me, the exhilarating, comforting fragrance of my mate.
I slowed and put her back on her feet. “We’re getting married?” I glanced at her. So much excitement zipped through me, I almost couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, we’re getting married,” she affirmed, her hazel eyes full of warmth and delight.
“This is incredible.” I couldn’t stop touching her. “I’d spend a thousand years in stone to hear those words again.”
