“Sometimes I imagined it—being loved,” Bri said, fiddling with the ring in her hand. “So vividly in my head, that feeling of being held, being home in someone’s arms. Someone I loved unconditionally, who I’d do the hardest things for, harder than waging battles or fighting off beasts. Real things. Like owning up to my mistakes and admitting I was wrong.” She looked into Lina’s welling eyes and the sight made hers pinprick with tears. “Saying how deeply sorry I am for causing you pain.”

Lina placed her hand on Bri’s cheek.

“I meant everything I said last night,” she whispered, choking back the tears as the memory of Lina’s vacant eyes flashed in her mind. “I only want you. I want you to know the same peace I feel every time you lie down beside me. I want you to feel as loved as you make me feel. I don’t know what spells the Fates weave, but sometimes our choices are stronger than any magic, and I choose you, Lina. Always.”

“Always,” Lina whispered as a tear slid down her cheek. Bri got down on one knee, holding the ring aloft. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to propose to a Queen,” she said with a smirk, “but I’m going to risk it.” Lina chuckled, beaming down at her from where she knelt. “Will you marry me?” Bri bit the corner of her lip, nervous after all that had happened that maybe Lina would still say no.

Lina waited a beat, her smile as radiant as the rising sun. “Yes.”

Bri leapt up, her hands cupping Lina’s face as she pulled Lina’s lips to hers. “I love you,” she whispered, tears of joy and relief streaking down her cheeks.

“I love you too,” Lina said, her lips meeting Bri’s again.

Emotions brimmed over, filling her until she was bursting as she slid the ring onto Lina’s finger. She wiggled it over Lina’s knuckle, relieved when it was the perfect fit.

“Thank the Gods.” She chuckled.

“When did you have time to buy a ring?” Lina asked, beaming down at her hand as she twisted the band from side to side.

“I bought this ring when I was twelve years old,” Bri murmured. “Talhan’s been hanging on to it for me. We agreed if we were to ever get married, we wouldn’t use any of our family’s heirlooms, that we’d make our own legacies.”

A smile twisted on Lina’s lips. “It’s beautiful.”

“You should see the one he picked.”

“I can already imagine.” Lina smiled, wiping the tears from Bri’s cheeks, the tenderness of the action immediately making more fall.

“I don’t think I’ve ever cried this much in my life,” Bri said with a sheepish chuckle. “With your every word and action, you hold the strings to my heart.”