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“Hmm?” I question. “I don’t understand.”
Vylco’s eyes move behind me then back to mine.
“Well, why don’t you turn around and you’ll see just what I mean?” he chuckles, wearing his signature grin.
I raise an eyebrow at him then spin around. A hand throws itself to cover my gasping mouth as I come upon a shocking sight. Down on one knee before me is Azron, peering up at me with admiration in his eyes.
In his hands is a small black box. He opens it, revealing a gold-rimmed diamond ring. I can’t find the words, only staring at my lover in disbelief. He takes one of my hands.
“Elia, I knew you were special ever since the night we met. Since then, you’ve never left my mind or my heart. Spending all of this time together has allowed me to realize that my heart is indeed where you belong.”
My hand starts shaking. Azron smiles as he strokes it in circles to calm me down.
“For the first time, I feel safe and at home with someone, that someone being you. It’s a feeling I never thought I would have the privilege of experiencing, but my time with you has taught me to expect the unexpected. On top of all of the greatness you’ve instilled in my life, there’s only one more addition that can make things better between us, and that would be you taking my hand in marriage.”
I finally muster the courage and strength to speak, but at the same time, I feel as though I’m about to pass out.
“Yes!” I exclaim, leaping into his arms.
He falls to the floor, the both of us laughing. His kiss fills me with vigor as he holds me. We rise to our feet as Vylco approaches, laughing.
“Well, I have to say, I think I make a pretty damn good matchmaker.”
“I’m inclined to agree,” I say to him with a smile. “If not for you, I never would have met the love of my life.”
“If not for him, you never would have lived in this city,” says Azron.
“What?” I ask in confusion. “Never lived here? What do you mean?”
“Elia,” calls Vylco. “I have something that I must confess to you. Do you remember hopping aboard a boat to Sarziroch that departed from New Solas?”
“Yeah, how do you know about that?”
“Well, I was the captain of that boat,” he says with a smile. “Luckily for you, I wasn’t charging any fares that day.”
“You… were there?” I gasp. “Vylco, I can’t believe this. You could have reported me, why didn’t you?”
“I have a soft spot for pretty girls.” He chuckles, shrugging his shoulders. “Plus, New Solas is a haven for xaphan. I figured you had a good reason for wanting to get out of there.”
“You let me come here…” I mutter. I almost pinch myself, thinking that I must be dreaming.
“That’s right. I recognized you that day I wandered into your bakery. I always wondered where you ended up, and now here you are, engaged to my best friend. I can’t wait for the ceremony.”
“The wedding!” I exclaim, having momentarily forgotten about it with this sudden revelation. “But we haven’t even planned it! And what about your return to work?”
“Well, I’m obviously going to stay for the ceremony!” he laughs. “I can afford to stay a few more days, and as for your wedding, well…”
Azron’s strong hand lays itself on my shoulder. I turn around, looking up into his loving eyes. He runs a finger down my cheek.
“The night is still young as Vylco said, so let us enjoy ourselves this evening. Afterwards, though, you better go and pack. We three have somewhere to be.”
32
AZRON
My mother has always maintained that Bilgonith is an extra special town because the sun rises over it every day.
I always tell her that is what happens when a city faces the east.
