Page 112 of Crown of Hearts
“I don’t think I need Aries’ permission to make you my wife.”
“Maybe not,” she agreed. “But you certainly need a priest.”
“Well . . .” I tilted my head slightly.
“Well, what?”
“Only for the legal part of it.”
She pursed her lips. “The legal part is kind of important.”
“We can sign a marriage contract when we get back home,” I responded with nonchalance. “Marry me, Elara.”
Her expression grew warm, and she nodded. “Okay.”
We chuckled and I pressed my forehead to hers.
“I have to tell you something, though,” she said, as if she’d just remembered whatever it was, and I suppressed the urge to worry.
“Yes?”
“You know that marital agreement you signed at Woodsbrook Manor, that you thought was false?”
My eyes widened slightly.
“Well, turns out it’s not really that false,” Elara said, almost apologetically, and bit her lip.
I couldn’t help but start to laugh. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want to force you into an alliance or marrying me.” She shrugged. “I wanted you to want it.”
“Come on.” I pressed a kiss to her lips and started leading her back inside.
“Oh, you mean like right now?”
Chapter 31
Elara
Marry me.
Was I really about to marry Cai?
We stepped back inside, where people were talking and dancing, completely unaware of us. “I need to find Anesta. I need to get changed.” I was still holding Cai’s hand.
“Why? You look perfect.”
I looked down at my provocative neckline. “I’m not getting married in a dress like this. I’m still a queen.” I smiled, as if he needed reminding. “Who’s going to officiate?”
“Well, I was thinking Jack could do it.”
“Great. You go find him and I’ll find Anesta.”
I searched through the crowd of bodies until I spotted Anesta, dancing with one of the Argonian men. If I hadn’t known any better, I would think he was one of the young soldiers. Anesta was dressed up herself, looking elegant in her gold-trimmed gown.
I took hold of her arm. “I need to tell you something.” The music was loud and blaring. “Can we please talk outside?”
“Sure.” She nodded. Her partner seemed disappointed that I pulled her away, but I didn’t care very much for him in that moment. I walked until there were fewer people around.
