Tears were running down her cheeks as Wyatt’s words pulled at her heart. She’d already told him she wanted to marry him, but this was so much more touching. He had planned this moment, and she loved him for it. Nodding quickly and affirmatively, she emphatically replied, “Yes. Yes. Always, yes.”
Wyatt deftly slid the silver band on her trembling finger and then rose to kiss her. Pulling her into his embrace, he pressed his lips to her adoringly. Leaning back slightly, he smiled at her. “I love you. Now, are you ready for your other surprise?” he inquired with a broad grin.
Nev looked at him, stunned. “Another?” she stammered. The sweet proposal would have been more than enough, but somehow there was more. Wyatt really had surprised her.
“Got you, didn’t I?” asked Wyatt, feeling very pleased with himself.
Giggling softly, Nev nodded. “You did, indeed. So… where is it?”
Wyatt grinned mischievously and took her hand in his before gently turning her around. Her back was now facing where their little walk had originated from. He smiled as he heard her gasp.
“How? Is this? I can’t believe it,” Nev finally managed to stammer out.
“You remember when we shared our first dance? You told me you wanted to live in a place just like that, with me. Well, you just agreed to marry me… again. So, the ‘with me’ part seems to be squared away. That only left the ‘place’ part to figure out. So, I got Addi to agree to keep you distracted at Nellis’ place, and I got Nellis to agree to help me build this,” noted Wyatt before pausing briefly. “You would be amazed how quickly you can construct something when you have a master builder directing things and a Tinkerer for a laborer,” he added, laughing. “Still, you didn’t give me a lot of details beyond the location. So… I hope you like the choices I made,” Wyatt explained with anxious enthusiasm.
Nev could hardly believe her eyes. A cabin with a large front porch and a purple door stood before her, with flower boxes hanging from the windows. A large garden rested between the front door and a rippling stream. There were even rocking chairs on the porch and a training station for swordplay. The cabin was perfect, and she had not even seen the inside yet. She wanted to thank him, but words were escaping from her mind before she could speak them.
Studying her face closely, Wyatt asked, “Do you like it? We can change anything you don’t want. I left the inside mostly untouched except for the basics. Well, the basics and one more thing. But that can wait a bit. You do like it, don’t you?”
Smiling and hugging him tightly, she responded, “I should probably tease you a bit and draw out my answer, but I just can’t. Wyatt, I love it. I love you.”
Squeezing her in his arms, he let out a sigh of relief. “That is very good to know. I thought you would, but then I started to worry. Addi and Nellis tried to reassure me. They actually seemed to think it was less crazy than I did. Although, I wonder if they were just excited to get us out of their house,” surmised Wyatt before laughing softly.
Nev cupped Wyatt’s face in her hands and smiled at him. “Wyatt, you have been my foundation since the moment I met you. Even if it took me a while to realize and appreciate that. But now… with all of this. You’ve given me a future and a home, two things I thought had been lost to me forever. I’m so in love with you,” she sighed as tears rolled down her cheeks again.
Lovingly, Wyatt wiped the tears from her cheeks. “And I love you,” he replied with deep sincerity. Taking a deep breath and smiling at her, he suggested, “I think it is time I show you the last surprise. Although it is more of a promise fulfilled.”
Nev raised an eyebrow at him. “Another? I’m intrigued. Lead on,” she directed with a grin.
Swiftly he took her hand in his and led her to the front door. “So, remember when I promised I would make you the comfiest bed in all of Obsidia?” he asked, a hint of flirtation in his question.
“I do. There was also mention of some time to be spent in it. If I remember correctly,” answered Nev coyly.
Wyatt scooped Nev up in his arms and laughed, “Yes, about that… I hope you don’t have any plans for the next week… or two.”
“Two weeks?” Nev responded, trying to sound shocked.
“Did I say weeks? Sorry. I meant months,” he chuckled as he carried her into their home, allowing the door to shut behind him.
“Months it is,” Nev agreed immediately. She was already kissing his neck as he carried her through their home. Our home, she thought to herself. She smiled for a moment before returning to peppering his neck with her kisses.
Wyatt felt his skin warm under her touch. “It is good you relented so easily. Stubborn… remember?” he teased playfully.
“I could never forget. It is one of your characteristics I’m most thankful for. Now… I think it far past time for you to show me this legendary bed,” giggled Nev.
“I love the way your mind works,” grinned Wyatt. Without any further delay, he carried Nev into their bedroom and allowed the door to close behind them. He had plans to share lots of calm, intimate moments with his fiancée, and he was eager to get started. Further adventures and thoughts could wait. For now, he would be here with her—because here was worth it.
About The Author
Michelle Soper
After over two decades of letting Nev Colfax live rent-free in her head, Michelle Soper decided it was time Nev earned her keep. She wrote her first book, The Obsidian Throne, over the course of a month while simultaneously helping her three-year-old nephew conquer toilet training.
When not spending time forming a world for Nev to roam, she’s earning mad Gamerscore on Xbox, cosplaying as FemShep, and geeking out with her family. Now she plans to bend time and space and release both a sequel and a prequel within the next year. It’s good to have goals.
Anyway… first book published? Achievement unlocked!
The Obsidian Throne Page 26
