Page 76 of Crown of Hearts
She was annoyed, but I couldn’t stop myself now. “I have things that haunt me. We have lied to each other, verbally insulted each other, almost tried to kill each other.”
“Don’t forget you tied me to a tree.” She couldn’t help but bring it up.
“The truth is, neither of us really knows what we’re doing, and this could end in disaster.”
Elara’s expression stilled, and she bit her lip, knowing I was right but not wanting to acknowledge the truth.
“Our union could be the future for our people—” I sucked in a breath — “or the end of our kingdoms.”
She swallowed hard.
“But the truth is, none of those things matter because I’m completely and irrevocably in love with you, Elara.”
She met my eyes, and a raindrop fell onto her cheek. “What?” It wasn’t much more than a whisper. Her expression shifted from annoyance to surprise.
“I love you so hopelessly beyond my control. I loved you when you held a knife to my throat and when you came back for me during the rebellion. I loved you when I thought you were a princess and when I found out you were a bandit. I loved you when I believed you to be engaged to someone else, and I’ll probably still love you even if you don’t want anything to do with me.”
She tilted her head, face softening. “Cai.”
“I heard you,” I said, stepping closer and placing my hands on her cheeks as the rain began to pour. She didn’t move away, she only sucked in a breath.
“What?”
“I heard you the night you asked me to stay.” The night I almost died.
“I don’t understand, I . . . you—”
“You told me that I couldn’t leave. When death was knocking at the door, you pulled me back and begged me to stay. I came back because of you. I know I have a family and a kingdom that needs me, and while those things matter, it was your voice, Elara. Only you.”
She pressed her forehead to mine. I felt the locks of her hair against my skin. “You came back.”
“I came back.” I pressed a kiss to her head, which tasted of sweet rain, and she placed her hands around my wrists.
“If that’s what it takes to keep you, I would fight death again.” I wasn’t sure if she confessed it more to herself or to me.
“Maybe you and I are better off when we’re fighting together.” Under the dark clouds, raindrops fell from the heavens and washed the earth. “Will you marry me, Elara?” I said, softly, into the autumn storm.
She pulled back and looked up at me, her eyes wild with firelight once more. Her lips formed a smile.
I hovered my mouth next to her ear. “Marry me, Elara.”
Her hands were on my arms.
I pressed a kiss to her jaw.
“I’ll marry you, Cai,” she said, before kissing me.
Chapter 21
Elara
We were gathered in the throne room, a fire brimming with warmth in the hearth. I hid a yawn behind my palm, hoping that I would soon be able to take a nap, especially after the lunch we’d just had. It was an effort to pay attention to the conversation around me.
Across the room, Cai was in conversation with Thatcher. We hadn’t told anyone about the engagement yet. Cai needed to make an announcement to his council while being certain all the correct protocol was followed before the news became public.
Upon meeting my eyes, Cai pressed his lips into a line to keep from smiling. He almost succeeded, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
He looked happier than he had in days. He looked almost relieved. I should be relieved. I’d got exactly what I came for... and yet.
