She laughs, and the sound fills me. “Oh, and she finally got her own room. She lasted one night before moving into Helkki’s room.”
I laugh so hard that Hugo abandons ship for the nearest shrub. When I straighten, Talvie pulls my hat the rest of the way off. Above us, Lumi floats lazily, bathing us in cool light.
“I’m so glad you’re back.”
My hand lifts to brush her cheek. “I never doubted you’d keep them all safe and happy. But I’m glad to be back, too.”
She catches my hand, her eyes going wide at the broad band circling my finger. “A ring? Is that what your secret quest was about?”
I nod.
“And you found it.”
“I found five actually…but that’s a whole other story.” I grin at her disbelief. “This is the one that matters. It’s a Lyslander tradition.”
In her open awe and trust, I see the very reason I went looking forthisspecific ring, and the reason I came back to her with it.
Realization dawns across her face. “Is this aVäkirengas? I think I’ve read about these.”
“Mhmm.” I steal a quick kiss, impressed she knows the name. Most Point Fae wouldn’t recognize Lyslander lore.
The band feels heavy with meaning. Growing up, Frederik told me the tales to give me a sense of my heritage, but I never thought I’d wear one. Yet here I am, bearing the weight and honor the Guardian’s Bond represents. As soon as the sentry board ruled in my favor, I knew I wanted this for the kids.
“In the old tradition, Lyslanders craft a ring for a guardian who takes the bond of love and protection for a family or community. But it’s always made of two halves. When the Lynx chooses a mate, the band is split to signify partnership. It doesn’t weaken or lessen the ring to split it; rather, the ring’s true purpose is fulfilled and the Guardian’s Bond strengthens. Alone, it’s powerful. Shared and united, stronger still.”
Her gaze softens with warmth. “That’s beautiful. But does that mean you went to Lysgård, to Lyslander territory? Alone?”
“Yeah.” My breath huffs out. “They wouldn’t craft one for a half-blood. The old me might have taken the hint and left. But I kept hearing the ruling, and your voice, and Mika’s. I realized that being worthy means fighting for them in every way. So I stayed. I pushed. An elder eventually told me of a ring forged long ago, hidden away when the intended guardian died before taking the bond. Hidden, then lost.”
I lift her fingers to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to them. “So I went looking.”
“And now it’s where it belongs,” she whispers.
“I’m sorry it took so long.” I laugh at Hugo’s commiserating squeaks and grunts from the shrub. “But it was worth it. I hope you agree.”
She turns the ring, moonlight sliding over dark runes etched into the metal. “I can’t wait to hear the whole story. It’s gorgeous, Lark.”
“It felt right the moment I took the vow,” I murmur. “But you already have half my heart,kulta. AVäkirengasis made to be shared—each half meant to share a heart. The same love. The same promise of protection. Together.”
My fingers brush hers, slow and steady. The glow of ice catches in her wide eyes.
“Lark, are you asking…?”
My chest burns with the words I rehearsed on the road, but they knot in my throat. I take a deep breath to calm my fluttering pulse.
“Talvie…I’ve spent my life trying to be enough. To be worth loving. Then you came along and helped me see that I already was. You never tied my worth to status or blood, or what I could do. It isn’t something that has to be earned. You made me see that all my wanderlust was because I was searching. For you.
“I’m not perfect. I’ll still struggle to feel I deserve you. But I can’t imagine my life without you. I wouldn’t share this bond or responsibility with anyone else. I love you, Talvie. More than I ever thought I could love or deserve to be loved in return.”
Taking her hand between mine, with the ring pressed between our joined palms, I kneel. “Will you accept the other half of my ring? Will you be the other half of my heart?”
Her breath trembles, but her voice is sure. “Yes. Always yes. Ask me a thousand times, and a thousand times, my answer is yes.”
Lumi twirls overhead, Hugo chirps, and my heart skips through a breathless laugh.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky with a fake fiancée like you, but I’ll spend our lifetime making sure you don’t regret making it real.”
“I could never regret you, Lark,” she says. “Not your restless soul or your forever heart. I love every part of you. I would choose you again in every lifetime, in every world, until we’re dust among the stars. And even then, I’ll be with you still.”
