I took another step, his body so close. All I’d have to do is reach out my hand and I’d be able to touch him.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I murmured. “But if you want to know what I want, I’ll tell you.” Sliding my arms around his waist, I rested my head against his back. His scent engulfed me, and I breathed him in, wishing I could feel his arms around me. “I wantyou, Kai. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. If you want me to let you go, I’ll do it, but it has to be the truth, not some bullshit excuse about me needing to love someone else.” When he didn’t reply, I held him tighter. “Tell me you don’t want me. I’ll walk away.”
His hands slid over mine, and he pulled mine apart so he could turn and face me. When he did, he noticed my crown, and a sad smile formed on his lips.
“I can’t,” he said, piercing me with his steely gray eyes.
“Why not?” I breathed, trailing my hands up his chest.
A low growl escaped his lips. Then, clasping my face in his firm grasp, he kissed me hungrily, the heat from it warming me in all the right places.
“Because I do want you,” he said, resting his forehead on mine. “I would give anything to be with you, to make you my wife . . . to start a family. If I could make it happen, I would.”
“You can,” I whispered.
He pulled back, his eyes searching mine. “How?”
I held up my hands, and they glowed a brilliant gold. “I have the power to make it so. It was a gift from my land. Lailah was able to do it with my mother when she brought her back from death. I can only use it once, so you need to let me know. I won’t have this power ever again.” I clutched his face. “Do you want to come back with me? I will be yours and you’ll be mine. The Frost Court will have its king.”
His breaths came out faster. “Is this truly what you want?”
I kissed him gently. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. Now take my hands. We’re going home.”
The second his hands grasped mine, the light between us grew brighter. It burned so brilliantly that it was all I could see. But then, it all faded away and we were right back in the Land of the Fae . . . inourcourt. The Frost Court.
Kai looked around at the mountains and took a deep breath. “I’m alive.” He lifted me in his arms, his kiss urgent. “Fuck, it feels good.”
That wasn’t the only thing that was different with him. I could feel the magic inside of him, all of it light. He still had the power of the Four. But more importantly, the darkness he'd gotten from his father was gone.
“And you’re just as strong,” I added.
He looked down at his hands, smirking mischievously. “I am.” When he gazed back at me, his eyes had so much heat that it made me tremble. “Now that I’m here, I have a question to askyou.”
“And what is that?”
He dropped to one knee and took my hands. “Are you ready? Because I know I am.”
“Ready for what?”
“To give yourself to me completely. I willingly gave up my life for you, and I’d do it a thousand times. There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do to keep you safe. You showed me what love is, and I feel whole for the first time in my life. I never wanted to let you go, but I thought it was what needed to be done. I’m ready to bind myself to you in every way possible. Just pick the date.”
With tears burning my eyes, I dropped to my knees with him. “I don’t need to pick a date. I choose now.”
His brows furrowed. “What about your family? Your friends?”
My heart started to race. I didn’t want to wait another moment to make him mine forever. “I don’t need a grand celebration. All I need is you.” Taking his hands, I held them tightly in mine. “I love you, Kai. On this day, I take you as my husband, my lover . . . and my king. Things might not be easy considering what we’ve been through and who you are, but my land chose you.Ichose you. We’re going to change the Land of the Fae together. As long as I have you by my side, there’s nothing we can’t do.Amin mela lle ilyamemie ar’ ten’oio.It means ‘I will love you always and forever.’”
Kai smiled. “I know. My mother taught me the elvish language when I was a kid.”
That made me smile. “All you have to do is say it back.”
Kai lifted my hands to his lips, kissing both. “I don’t have a ring to give you, but I have something more important—my promise. I promise to be there for you when you need me. And I promise to be loyal and faithful. I will do everything I can to make you happy. You have changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Spending forever with you is the best gift anyone could have ever given me.” He squeezed my hands. “Amin mela lle ilyamemie ar’ ten’oio.I love you, Ella. You are my queen, my heart, and my soul.”
Like before when I claimed my land, the snow swirled all around us, glowing as it entered us, tethering us together. I watched in awe as the crown formed on his head, signaling the birth of his true identity.
King of the Frost Court.
Kai pulled me into him, his lips warm as we sealed the bond of our union. “Close your eyes,” he whispered, nipping my bottom lip. “There’s something I want to give you.” I did as he said and felt his magic surround me. Chuckling, he helped me to my feet and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Open them now.”