Katrina

After Miles is done with his incredulous tale, he covers my eyes and leads me the rest of the way up the mountain. And when he uncovers them, I am in awe. Somehow the scene is more breathtaking than the forest we just hiked through.

Nestled between two large redwood trees is a wooden cabin that looks more like a small mansion or a large house. The cabin is made out of oakwood, giving it stark contrast against the dark red of the trees nestled between and the dark green fields surrounding it. While the cabin is large inside, it looks homely. There's a small wrap-around porch with a swing and a couple of rocking chairs. The front door is barn style, made out of the same wood as the trees, and each window has a dark red panel. Even the welcome mat is cute, with pictures of little foxes chasing each other.

In front of the cabin is a lake with pockets of steam coming from the water. The water leads to a small cave, the opening hidden by the waterfall that's downpouring into the water. The flowing sound of the water, along with the fresh outdoor breeze, is calming and relaxing. The sound of splashing water interrupts my peaceful tranquility, and I turn my head into the water. Miles is swimming through the swing, naked as the day he was born.

"Come swim with me," Miles shouts, beckoning me to the water.

He doesn't have to ask twice. I quickly strip off my shorts and tank top, my bra and panties following closely behind. I spotted a rope swing attached to a nearby tree earlier, and I'm racing to it, excited to try it out. Miles watches me the entire way, his eyes laughing at my antics and staring at me hungrily as my naked body swings from the rope. When I let go and plunge into the water, I feel like I have died and gone to Heaven. And not the type of Heaven that I know of now. It's the dreamy human-like version. The version where when you go, it'll feel like you're floating on clouds and living your best life.

Miles reaches me before I've surfaced, diving into the water and placing his lips on mine, giving me an underwater kiss before we both come back up for air.

"This place is gorgeous!"

"I'm glad you like it, Kitten."

While Miles looked like a predator wanting to swoop in for the kill, he didn't attack me like I thought he would. Instead, we stay in the water, swimming and relaxing in its warmth, occasionally playing around splashing each other or jumping from the cliff and rope swing. I don't even realize how late it's getting until Miles gets out of the water and dries himself off with a towel. I stay in the water a little longer, watching the sun as it starts to set. By the time I finally get out of the hot spring, my entire body is pruned, but I"m more relaxed than ever.

"Miles, today has been incredible. Thank you." I state as I start to get dressed.

"Of course, Kitten. Anything for you." Miles replies, his voice sounding distant.

When I finish pulling my tank top back on and buttoning my shirt, I turn toward Miles, and my mouth drops. Somehow in the mere minutes, it's taken me to get dressed, he's transformed the area between the porch and the water. Candles have been lit, forming a large heart with rose petals scattered within.

"And what's this?" I ask, looking at a version of Miles I've never seen before, a nervous Miles.

Miles doesn't say anything; he guides me to the heart and pulls me in the middle, his arms around my waist and his eyes staring into mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, wanting to feel closer to him, and the sound of music starts playing in the distance- soft sweet classical music. Miles starts to sway back and forth, and before I know it, we're dancing in the middle of the heart. Miles lowers his head to mine and begins to whisper into my ear.

"Kitten,
Since I met you, I haven't wanted to leave your side. Being near you makes me come alive. You awoke a part of me that I didn't know existed. You've taught me that love exists. You've given me hope. You've welcomed me into your fold, showing me what a family should be like that. You have me dreaming of starting a family. I want a little girl with a heart as big as yours and a smile that'll wrap me around her little finger. You've given me the gift of a future. I'm not good with words, and I can't find the right ones to express my love for you, so I'll give you the closest thing I can find in the words of the great Pablo Neruda, *"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."*

I don't know when but the music has stopped playing, and we've stopped dancing; the only sound is Miles's whispers of love in my ear, sending my heart soaring and when he drops down to one knee, I feel like my heart has flown out of my chest and is now stuck in my throat.

"You make me the happiest man in the world, and I promise to cherish and love you with my entire being for the rest of my life. There's only one thing I'll ever ask of you." He swallows deeply as he pulls out a small box, opening it to reveal the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.

"Miles, I want nothing more than to say yet, but I can't."

I can see the hurt in Miles's eyes so I quickly continue on. "I can't because I have four other mates to consider. How would they feel if I became engaged to you and we ended up married?"

"I've already talked to them. They're okay with it."

"They're okay with this?" I ask, surprised that the others have agreed to let Miles stake an even greater claim to me.

"Yes. We agreed it was what was necessary to keep you protected."

"Necessary?" I ask, my heart crashing back into my body, sinking to the bottom of my chest cavity, "Keep me protected."

"It's the only way to keep you safe from Braham. If you have an affiliation with one of the kingdoms, then he cannot claim you. The earth kingdom makes the most sense as people get married there daily."

"Then my answer is no, Miles. I don't want to marry you for the sake of my safety. Was that all today was? Trying to sugar me up so I'll give in to your proposal of protection?" I ask, hurt, my voice trembling with anger.

"Of course not, Kitten. Today was for us. Spending quality time as a couple. As for the proposal, yes, it was sped up to help protect you, but I do want to marry you, Katrina. I want our lives to be tied together with more than just our bond and you becoming my Queen. You're my everything, and I want to share that with the world. I want to unite us as one in every way possible."

My heart rises a little, and my anger isn't so strong as I listen to Miles. Then I recall what Luka whispered in my ear before Miles, and I left for our date. "Remember, whatever happens, today, that this is what Miles wants." It helps cement my decision.

"Okay, Miles. Ask me again."

He looks at me a little suspiciously, but he does as I ask. "Katrina, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"

"Yes. A thousand and one times, yes. I love you too, Miles. More than you'll ever know."

When he slips the engagement ring on my wedding finger my heart soars higher than it ever has before, and when he walks me to the cabin, carrying me over the threshold I know I've made the right decision, even if it was hurried for my protection.

Miles takes me to one of the rooms in the cabin, and there he slowly undresses me, kissing every inch of my skin, whispering words of love and devotion as he worships my body.