CHAPTER ONE TEN

"Here, sweetheart."

Lysander placed my cup of coffee on the table in front of me, followed by a plate of bacon and eggs. I was confused when he didn't leave right away, but the glorious sensation of his lips connecting just below my ear had me melting. He hummed in contentment, draping his arms over my shoulders affectionately. I turned towards him just enough to capture his lips for a quick good morning kiss.

"Thank you, honey," I replied shyly. He leaned back, a smirk growing on his soft lips.

"Honey?" He repeated, amused. My fingers pinched the bottom of his white tee, tugging gently and bashfully.

"I thought it fit. Is it weird?" I wasn't going to tell him that the name was actually derived from his taste, of course.

His eyes turned adoring, and he lifted my chin, gracing me with yet another kiss that I would never get tired of.

"No, I love it. It makes us sound like a true couple." He broke away with a joyful expression, humming a little tune as he sat across from me. The twins had already finished eating and were currently roaming the living room, pulling every toy from their toy box. I lifted my mug to my mouth, loving the way the hot coffee warmed my weary throat. Placing it down with a sigh, I lifted my eyes.

"We are, aren't we?" He cocked his head, finishing chewing his bite of banana before answering.

"Are what?"

"A real couple..." I mumbled, and he took a sip of his orange juice, clearing his throat.

"Yes. I thought that much was clear," he stated plainly.

"Okay... So what do I call you? I mean, when I introduce you. It feels weird to call you my boyfriend." He laughed, his blue eyes dancing.

"Yes, I'd have to agree. Though, I'm not really sure what label to give us right now. The last time I was in a relationship, they didn't have dating. They courted."

"Okay, so what would we be back then?"

"You would be my betrothed." I gasped, my face heating up rapidly. Betrothed? Isn't that just being engaged?

"Like, to get married?" He nodded, a subtle mischievous grin touching his lips. He was really enjoying me squirm.

"The courting periods were relatively short back then. Children would be born soon after they were wed." This bastard was having a ball, on the verge of full-blown laughter by that point. My eyes narrowed into a challenging glare, and I crossed my arms.

"Okay. So when do you want to get married, my betrothed?" He bit his cheek, raising a brow.

"Are you that eager to bear my child, wifey?" Damn it. My face looked like I had just stepped out of a sauna at that point, with my cheeks flush and my face pale, but I couldn't let him win our little game of tug-of-war.

"As a matter-of-fact, yes, I am. Also, I will prefer to be called Mrs. Aria Valerius, not 'wifey'."

At my words, his eyes darkened, a dangerous storm brewing from within. A sinister smile formed on his face, revealing his pointed fangs.

"You're being a bad girl, Mrs. Valerius."

My thighs squeezed together in delight. I couldn't yet tell if I had angered or excited him, but I was certainly leaning towards the latter.

"Am I?" I squeaked, my voice dry and weak. I had never seen him look so raw and intimidating before.

"Mm. It'd seem that you're trying to provoke me. That's a very naughty thing to do, sweetheart."

Oh goddess. I could feel the liquid heat accumulating in my core, betraying me. Why was he so damn sexy? And why were his unspoken threats so tempting?

"I-I was just t-trying to get you to admit-"

"That I didn't mean what I said?" He finished, shaking his head in faux disappointment.

Then, in a flash, he had turned my chair, had one knee between my legs, and his head buried into my neck. His hot breath caused my hair to rise, and the gentle scraping of his fangs along my artery made me tremble.

"Did you mean it, Aria?" He finally asked, his voice much softer, more vulnerable.

I swallowed.

Did I? Did I actually want to marry Lysander and have his children? We had just started our relationship, so how could I even consider that?

But this wasn't the start. Not really, anyway.

Lysander had been my best friend, my confidant, and my lover for a while now. Even though we weren't having sex, every meeting we had back at the mansion was one of significance. We would talk for hours about everything under the sun, holding one another, understanding one one another. We were inevitable from the beginning.

"Yes. I did."

He held his breath, dropping his head to my shoulder and reaching for my hands, rubbing gentle circles in them with his thumbs.

"You- you want to marry me?" He was acting so nervous and shocked that I was beginning to wonder if I should've said no. Was this too soon after all?

"Y-yes..." I pulled in my bottom lip as I awaited his response. His heart was going wild in his chest, moving like a jackhammer against his ribs. After a deep breath, he pulled back, climbing down from the chair... and onto a knee in front of me.

Holy shit.

My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened in surprise. He released one of my hands in his, holding it palm up. A small flash of blue light appeared, leaving behind a small, intricately carved wooden box. Much like everything else Lysander owned, it looked hundreds of years old.

"I certainly didn't expect to be doing this at the breakfast table, but we may as well make this official." He chuckled, his glowing eyes brightly lit in his joy. He was actually going to propose, wasn't he? His features softened, and he regarded me with reverence and love as the box lid magically lifted itself.

Inside was the most beautiful ring set I had ever seen encased in red velvet. It was a soft shade of gold, with fanciful placement of various shades of diamonds seeming to sprout from the center jewel. It looked as if it belonged to royalty years ago, and should be preserved in a museum of such items, not on my finger.

"Aria Loraine Wilson." My wet eyes darted back to his, my breath finally returning to me as I came upon his comforting smile. "There has never been a woman, in all the millennia that I've lived, that has made me feel the way you do. You are clever, enchanting, and beautiful inside and out. I love you more than I knew I was capable of loving anyone. I want to finally call you mine, so if you'll take me, I'd love to make you my wife."

Saltwater was falling down my face, soaking into my shirt beneath. What had started as a joke, led into a competition, was now one of the most important moments of my life. Ha, go figure. It was unconventional, most would say downright unromantic, but it was perfect for us. Intimate, spontaneous, unusual; that about summed us up.

I gripped tighter onto his slightly trembling hand, lifting it to my lips. "I'd love to make you my husband." I replied, breathlessly. A tear left his eye, but he wiped it away, moving both of his hands to remove the engagement ring and place it on my left ring finger. The fit was perfect, and my eyes were glued to it in awe.

I was engaged.

To Lysander.

"I want to wait until after we take back your place as ruler to say our vows, if that's okay. It's a bit difficult to plan a wedding with war on the horizon, and I want it to be perfect for you."

"Of course." I was on cloud nine, giggling like a fool as I threw my arms around his shoulders. I couldn't have imagined things would happen this way.

So much had happened in the past year, most of it painted with pain and sorrow, and I wondered if I could feel joy again. But Lysander had just proven as much, granting me a little slice of heaven amidst my hell, a promise for a better future for our family.

Our family.

It felt odd to say, but in a good way. I was ready for the change. I was ready to be Queen Aria and King Lysander, ruler of the Opalescent Kingdom.