“You do?” Essen asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” Brea lifted her chin another inch. “In the past two months, I’ve made some wonderful new friends, but I also lost my oldest and closest one.” Brea and Vayden exchanged a somber glance. “If Isla’s death taught me anything, it’s not to let my fears keep me from what I most desire.”
She shifted her dark stare then, meeting Thom’s gaze as she concluded, “Or from the man I love.”
The words struck everyone in the room, a current of shock running through the space. Like he’d just suffered a punch to the stomach, Thom took a step back, a faint gasp escaping him. The ministers pulled back, wearing surprised and confused looks. The troop members shifted their focus between Thom and Brea.
“I would ask,” Brea continued, still holding his gaze, “that you approve my marriage to Thom Deckard.”
Thom’s mouth dropped open.
Brea’s brows raised in question. “If he’ll have me.”
The whole room held its breath, eagerly anticipating Thom’s reply. But what could he say? He loved her deeply and wanted her by his side. Still, a little voice nagged at him, whispering that their relationship might not be meant to be. It told him she wastoo perfect, and he was a mere mortal. She was incredible, while he was so far below her.
Desperate for help, Thom turned to Deckard. He received exactly what he expected: his brother’s kind and supportive smile paired with a firm nod of approval.
Thom couldn’t suppress the small scoff that escaped him. Trying to gather his thoughts, he ran a hand through his hair and then passed it over his face. “Are you sure?” he asked Brea. “I’m not good enough for you.”
“Probably not,” she said, her cunning smirk in place. “But I love you, regardless.”
“You shouldn’t,” he advised.
“Too late,mi’eló.”
Mi’eló.My only.
Hearing those words fall from her lips didn’t strike Thom the way he thought it would. He didn’t experience an electrifying rush or an incredible warmth igniting his soul. He didn’t feel instantly complete or whole. His past was riddled with mistakes, and he had years of redemption ahead of him. Yet, a wonderful sense of joy washed over his heart, knowing that, for once,hewas the one someone chose.
As Thom took three tentative steps closer, he examined her face, studying its angles, curves, and contours. In her dark eyes, he saw hope and sincerity despite the worry and intensity etched into her lowered brows. Nerves and humor flickered at the corners of her lips. He had admired her beauty countless times, but at this moment, she appeared more captivating than ever.
Thom gently traced his finger along her jawline, lifting her chin. “It’s too late,” he repeated, “for both of us.”
“Is that a yes?” she asked. “You’ll have me?”
“Only if you’ll have me,” he promised.
“I wouldn’t want anyone else.”
The overwhelming urge to kiss her pressed upon him. He’d thought about it multiple times in the past. Even during moments when he considered them just friends, he’d occasionally wondered what the press of her lips on his would feel like. However, he never allowed these thoughts to develop until his discussion with Deckard a week prior. Now, it was difficult to think of anythingbutkissing her.
Despite having gained confidence that he could—and perhaps should—kiss her, he hesitated. It shouldn’t be here. Not in front of the ministers and their friends. Certainly not for the first time.
Forcing himself to look up, Thom stared at the ministers. “Will you approve our marriage?” he demanded.
The ministers were silent, exchanging uncertain looks. “We...” Archminister Essen looked to Archminister Dudleye. “We need to discuss it?”
The man shrugged. “Technically, we should.”
“You promised to approve any requests we made,” Brea said sharply. Her hand grasped Thom’s, and he stared down at them in astonishment.
Am I really engaged?The thought was fleeting and abstract, and his attention quickly returned to the men and women who would decide his fate.
“Within reason,” one of the western ministers said.
Deckard stepped forward. “And how is this unreasonable? You said that you fully respect her choice to marry for love. This is your chance to demonstrate that.”
Essen raised a placating hand. “It is our policy to take each marriage of magical persons very seriously,” she said. “As they are reflections of Allore’s power himself, we believe they have a responsibility—”
