“That was fun,” she said as I set her down.

“Samantha Dearling.”

I watched her eyes widen slightly as I used her full name.

“Yes?” she asked, just a bit breathlessly, her curiosity bubbling over and into my mind. “Why are you so nervous?”

I’d hoped I would do a better job of controlling my emotions, but apparently not.

“Because I have something important to ask you,” I said, guiding her around the slight curve and stopping just before the archway, now visible in the light.

As were the rose petals.

“Cade …” she said shakily.

“Shhh.”

I reached down into my right pocket and pulled out a box.

“Cade.” Her voice was husky, uneven.

“You bonded with me in the ways of my people,” I said, not blinking as I sank to one knee. “Now, will you bond with me in the ways of yours? Will you marry me?”

Her jaw fell open as I popped open the box, revealing the ring I’d crafted from gold pulled from the very land we stood on. Then I’d taken five of the tiniest dragon scales I could peel from myself and arranged them like rose petals, within which I’d set a diamond.

It was, I hoped, a ring worthy of the woman in front of me. A woman I wanted to be mine.

“Cade, I … I didn’t expect this. I don’t know what to say.”

“Hopefully, yes?” I teased.

“What?” Her astonishment washed over me as she started nodding vigorously. “Of course, yes! Yes, absolutely, a thousand times yes. I didn’t even think that was a question. I don’t know what else to say, but yes, I will marry you, Cade. I will be your wife, your mate. I will be your everything.”

Despite hands that were uncharacteristically shaking, I managed to get the ring onto the right finger, where it glittered gently in the light.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, admiring it.

“Yes, it is,” I agreed.

But I wasn’t staring at the ring.

When Sam realized where I gazed, she started to blush.

I already knew how deep her blush went as it ran down her neck.

But it never hurt to double-check.

Sam didn’t disagree.

***

***

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