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When he reappeared, he climbed into bed, resuming his previous position. They cuddled under the covers, though a low fire burned in the hearth, keeping the chill from the air.
Darien handed her a small, black velvet bag. She worked the drawstring opening as her curiosity mounted. Dumping the contents into the palm of her hand, she stared in shock at her present. A ring.
“It’s mother of pearl,” he told her. “Comes from oysters and abalones.”
The wide band was made of the shimmery white mineral.
“You’re giving me jewelry after I lost your necklace? Which I still feel horrible about, by the way.”
“We’ll find it in the spring, when the snow melts.”
Her gaze on the ring, she said, “I don’t know. I’ll never forgive myself if we can’t locate the necklace. And if anything were to happen to this ring… God, it really is beautiful.” She inspected it closely. Letters were printed on it in an elegant, thin black script. “M.L.A.?”
His lips brushed over her temple. “My love always.”
Jade’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at him, her pulse hitching. “Who would have guessed you’re so romantic?”
“Just needed the opportunity to prove it. And the right woman.”
She smiled. “I’ll be extremely careful with this.”
When she slipped it onto her ring finger on her right hand, he said, “Correct finger. Wrong hand.”
Her breath caught.
“It goes here,” he told her as he removed the band and placed it on the other hand. He gazed deep into her eyes and whispered, “I love you. And I want you to be my queen.”
Chapter Twelve
Darien watched as Jade’s blue irises lit with surprise, then darkened with doubt. She tossed off the covers and got out of bed. Scooping up his discarded shirt, she dragged it on, though it dwarfed her, looking more like a long nightshirt that nearly reached her knees.
He rolled onto his back and stacked his hands behind his head on a pillow. She paced in front of the fireplace and he didn’t say a word. Of course he’d stunned her. But he knew what he wanted and had no desire to hold back from telling her. Despite the fact they’d once agreed he could never place a ring on her finger.
When she finally came to a halt, she turned to face him. “You want to marry me?”
“It is the natural progression of courtship.”
She snickered. “Don’t play upon my words. Death and marriage are two very different concepts.”
“Apparently not for everyone.”
“Darien,” she said with exasperation in her tone. “Now is not the time to tease.”
“I’m merely stating a fact. But our marriage won’t be like that. You’ll be very happy and well taken care of.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, “You can’t be serious about this. There is no way on God’s green earth that you and I could ever be married.”
He frowned. “I rule this portion of your God’s green earth, so we most certainly can be married.”
She threw her hands up. “Haven’t you heard the adage that a fish can love a bird, but where would they live?”
“I’m the fish in this scenario?”
“Darien,” she said as she glared at him.
“Jade,” he challenged as he sat up. “Unless someone new comes to the village, I don’t see you falling in love with anyone else. And I’ve waited over eight years to be with you.”
Her expression softened. “I’m not discounting what we feel for each other. I’m pointing out the obvious issues. The first being, I’m a human and you’re a demon. I’m mortal and you’re immortal. And I definitely would not be comfortable at the castle. Especially when you’re not there.”
