Page 56 of Unseen Lord

A big ass diamond ring of course!

"Iris," he says, his voice ringing in the air like bells. I don't even know what that means, but that's how it feels okay? Like bells. "You have been an unexpected missing piece in my life, one I didn't know I needed until I found you. I know we live in different worlds, literally, and that I'm asking a lot as prince of a realm in Inferna, but—"

"Yes!" I say, unable to contain myself.

"But I wasn't finished," he says, teasingly.

"The answer is still yes. Do you want to finish though. You can. Go ahead."

He stands and pulls me to him. "The speech can wait." He slips the ring on my finger and we kiss under the stars, in a field of glowing flowers, as fairies come out of hiding to dance and sing around us.

To say it was the most magical proposal to ever happen would be an understatement.

We rush back to the castle as fast as we can and retire to his quarters. Duke is there waiting for us, with Theo. Neither of them were happy to be left out, but we give both some hugs and kisses and tell them the news. Then we kick them off the bed and tell them to stay clear for a few hours.

Elias's hands send shivers up my spine as he gently removes my dress. I help him with his waste coat and buttons and once we are both in our birthday suits we slip into his bed, our bodies pressing close as we explore every inch of each other.

This will never get old. Being with him. Touching him. Loving him.

It will never get old, even when we do.

* * *

The next morning we dress,eat, and with Duke and Theo in tow, make our way to High Castle to tell the queen and Elias's uncles the good news, who have been notified to meet us there.

Queen Arianna has resumed her seat on the throne, and her kingdom couldn't be happier. But there's still a deep sadness in her eyes.

When we arrive she is in the Great Hall sipping tea, her dragon perched on her shoulder. Dean sits next to her, with Asher across from her. Zeb is reading a book and sipping at his goblet, but looks up to say hi when we approach. Ace paces in front of the fire, lost in his own thoughts. He hasn't been the same since the war with Aya. He misses her, that's clear. And feels betrayed too, I think. There's an empty spot in everyone's heart over Aya, and the path her life took, and King Fenris, whose whereabouts is still unknown.

Ari rises to greet us, smiling as she does. She and I have grown close since our time in the caves, and I consider her a dear friend now. Healers have been working with her to mend the damage the curse did on her mind, but I fear the real damage is to her heart. She misses her daughter and husband. "Any news on Fen?" I ask.

Her eyes alight. "There might be," she says with an optimism I haven't seen in her before.

Dean stands, kisses my cheek and shakes Elias's hand and grins. "I've had news of an artifact on earth… a piece of the Fallen Star of Nirandel. It's just rumor, but word is, Fen is somehow connected to this. That's all I know, but I leave in the morning to investigate."

"What's your first step?" Elias asks, as anxious about his father as anyone.

"My sources tell me there's a renowned archaeologist who's apparently on the hunt for it. An… Alex Stone. I'm going to find him and see what he knows, take it from there."

Ari squeezes his hand. They have always been close, though for many years Dean wanted more. Now he seems content with her as a friend and sister. "Many don't realize that Dean has a PhD in Archeology, and is renowned on Earth himself," she says with sisterly pride. "It's good to see you putting your skills to work. Keep me informed, will you?"

He kisses her forehead with affection. "Of course. You'll be the first person to know what I discover. We will find Fen. He's out there somewhere."

The pain is her eyes breaks my heart as she nods. "I know you will."

The heartfelt moment is broken by a choir of young voices echoing around us as the wind begins to howl. And the song they sing is thus…

He’ll come in the night

In armor of white

Riding a steed of snow

Three signs there are

That mean he’s not far

Silver army in tow