Page 43 of Thalen

“Yes.”

He stared at me for another heartbeat.

Then he laughed, and tears immediately filled his eyes.

“You absolute bastard.”

“I was hoping to surprise you.”

“You did.”

He threw his arms around me. I held him tightly back.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you too,” he sniffled.

The applause around us was almost deafening.

When we finally separated, Doran stepped up beside me.

Evan stared at him.

“Doran?”

“Best man.”

“You knew?”

“Of course I knew.”

“And nobody told me?”

Doran shrugged.

“It wouldn't have been much of a surprise if we had.”

Evan shook his head, laughing through his tears.

Jesse stepped forward. “Well, since everyone is here, we might as well make this official.”

A cheer broke out. Jesse reached into his pocket and pulled out the two rings I’d ordered, plain gold bands that Jesse had assured me were a traditional style, if a little old fashioned. That sounded like exactly the sort of traditional thing my Evan would adore, so the choice was made. Johree smiled.

“Thalen, you have waited a long time for this moment.”

“I have.”

“And Evan, you have crossed more than one world to find your way here.”

“I did.”

Johree smiled.

“Then let us begin.”

I turned toward Evan, licking my lips nervously.

“Evan, I spent years believing I knew exactly what my life would look like.”