“No, and you can put that one upstairs in your jewelry box.”
“I have a jewelry box?”
He looks strong and vital. No one would guess he was nearly dead an hour ago. “You have a whole fucking jewelry room, sweetheart.”
I like that. I like it a lot. “What am I looking for?”
“The first thing you should notice is the empty places where my books need to be returned.”
“They’re in my apartment. I’ll get them later today.”
His eyes glitter like a lion’s about to pounce. “Actually, your entire apartment is being moved here within the hour.” He glances at his watch.
“I don’t believe I agreed to that,” I say calmly, looking over my shoulder at him.
“I don’t believe I asked.” He’s already changed into fresh slacks and a white shirt.
I’ve changed into a simple yellow-and-aquamarine sundress that was conveniently hanging in my closet. “So you think I’m going to take up residence in my old room, huh?”
“Absolutely not. We’re moving everything into my room.” He looks around. “Aren’t you curious?”
Of course, I’m curious. It’s one of my default settings. “What am I looking for?”
“It has to do with the moors of Scotland and the Battle of Thistlewind. Such a sad tale.”
“Ooh,” I say, clapping my hands together. “The poetry of Enoch Fife.” I’m impressed Thorn not only has heard of the obscure poet but actually owns Fife’s only compilation. I move unerringly toward the Scottish poetry section of his library and climb the ladder to a section where the tomes are ancient and probably priceless. I rifle through them, finding the correct book.
“You did spend a lot of time in here,” he murmurs.
I’m halfway up the ladder, leaning to the right. “I love it in here.”
“If you fall, you’re in trouble.”
“Maybe you should secure me. I only have one good arm.”
He’s already there, bracketing me so I don’t fall, his warmth heating my entire backside.
“How is your arm?” he asks quietly.
“It’s fine.” I shrug my good shoulder as if it’s no big deal, even though my entire body is pretty damn sore. “How are you feeling?” I ask him, looking through the books.
“Hot. All the ice is gone from my body.”
The relief that floods me will concern me at a later date. Right now, I’m looking for a present. I love gifts. “That’s good.”
“You’re brilliant, you know,” he says from behind me.
“Your books did help,” I admit. Though, in the end, the idea of putting all the gems together was mine. I was desperate to save him. “I’m glad you’re not dead.”
“I appreciate that,” he says dryly.
I pull out two of the books and note a little black velvet box behind them. My heart drops. I reach in, my hand trembling, and pull out the box.
“Off the ladder,” he orders.
It’s a good idea because I have a feeling I may just fall when I open it, unless it’s a toe ring. If it’s something like a toe ring, I’m going to kill him. I move down the ladder and then turn to face Thorn. I look down at the box in my hand.
“Open it,” he says.
I’m not quite ready to open it. The box is beautiful, simple, tasteful. Swallowing, I slowly flip open the lid and then gasp, as it’s the only thing I can do. A striking square garnet sits in the middle between a halo of brilliant cut aquamarines reflecting the purity of a clear sky. The band is a harmonious line of white gold, studded with alternating diamonds and rose quartz. It is the perfect ring made specifically for me.
“Marry me,” he says.
I can’t stop looking at the sparkles. “I think you’re supposed to ask.”
He takes the ring out of the box and slips it on my left ring finger. “If I ask, you’ll think ‘no’ is an option. It isn’t.”
I roll my eyes. “There’s no way I’ll say no.”
He reaches down and kisses me. “Say yes.”
The ring is heavy and feels right on my finger. Knowing Thorn, it has magical properties and can never be removed. “Yes.”
He kisses me again, going deep in a way that is all Thorn. “So let’s talk about the future.” Thorn leads me back into the library, turns and kisses me until my ears ring.
I open my eyes to find my dress drifting to the floor and his hands on me. I can’t wait for the future. “I love you.”
“I know.” He glances at the ring on my hand. “I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you and will do so for eternity. You’re mine, Alana.”
