Chapter 64

He turned to me then, his voice soft enough that only I could hear. “ I know this was a surprise. But I had to tell them. I had to let them know that you’re mine, that you’re more than anyone could ever imagine.”
My throat tightened, but I managed a small nod. “ I… I wasn’t ready.”
“ I know,” he whispered, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand. “ But you’re stronger than you think, Meara. And I’ll always be by your side.”
I glanced up at him, my heart pounding. “ I trust you, my love.”
Kaden’s eyes softened, his thumb still gently caressing my skin.
When the cheers began to die down, Kaden gently turned me toward him. His gaze was intense, filled with an emotion I hadn’t yet seen before—a mix of pride and tenderness that softened the usual sharpness in his features. As the crowd continued to watch us, he led me back onto the dance floor, and with a subtle nod, the orchestra started to play a soft, romantic melody.
“ Kaden, I—” I started, but he cut me off with a small shake of his head.
“ Just dance with me,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms.

The moment he wrapped his arms around me, I felt the tension in my body ease. We began to move, our steps perfectly in sync as if we had danced together for years. The music flowed around us, carrying us across the floor in a graceful, unhurried rhythm. The floating lights above shimmered like stars, casting a soft glow that bathed us in warmth.
I rested my head against Kaden’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. For a moment, everything else faded away—the announcement, the crowd, the pressure of the kingdom’s expectations. It was just us. Just Kaden and me.
“ Are you alright?” Kaden asked softly, his breath warm against my temple.
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I was being entirely honest. “ You surprised me.”
He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. “ I didn’t want to give you time to overthink it.”
I lifted my head to look up at him, narrowing my eyes playfully. “ You’re saying I overthink things?”
“ I’m saying you’re in your head a lot,” he teased, his lips curving into a grin. “ And I wanted to make sure you knew how serious I am about us. About you.”
His words sent a flutter through my chest, and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. But before I could respond, the music swelled, and Kaden pulled back slightly, his expression shifting from playful to serious.
“ Meara,” he began, his voice low and filled with emotion. “ I know this has all happened fast, and I know it’s a lot to take in, but there’s something I need to ask you.”
My heart skipped a beat as I stared up at him, suddenly aware of how quiet the ballroom had become. The music was still playing, but the air was thick with anticipation. People were watching us closely, and I could feel their curiosity buzzing in the background.
Before I could even ask what he meant, Kaden slowly dropped to one knee, his hand never letting go of mine.
The air left my lungs in a rush, and my eyes widened as I realized what was happening. Kaden wasn’t just asking me to accept our bond as mates. He was asking for more.
Gasps echoed throughout the ballroom as Kaden reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. With a flick of his thumb, he opened it to reveal a delicate silver ring, a teardrop-shaped diamond in the center surrounded by tiny crystals that shimmered in the light.
“ I don’t want you to just be my mate, Meara,” Kaden said, his voice steady but thick with emotion. “ I want you to be my queen. I want you to stand by my side not just because fate chose us, but because we choose each other. Most importantly, I want you to be my wife.”

The weight of his words hit me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The crowd around us seemed to vanish, and all I could see was Kaden—his eyes locked on mine, his heart laid bare before me.
I could feel the eyes of the entire kingdom on us, waiting for my answer, but in that moment, none of that mattered. It wasn’t about the kingdom, the responsibilities, or the expectations. It was about Kaden. It was about the man who had stood by my side, fought for me, and claimed me as his own in more ways than one.
Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, and I had to swallow the lump forming in my throat. This wasn’t just a question. It was a promise. A promise of a future together—a future that scared me, yes, but one that also filled me with hope and excitement.
“ Yes,” I whispered; my voice barely audible.
But Kaden heard it. His face broke into a brilliant smile, one that sent a warmth flooding through me.
“ Yes,” I said again, louder this time, the word ringing through the ballroom.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but all I could focus on was the way Kaden’s eyes lit up as he slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there.

Kaden rose to his feet, pulling me into his arms and kissing me deeply, right there in front of everyone. The heat of the kiss, the intensity of it, left me breathless. The world around us disappeared again, and it was just him and me, our future sealed in that single moment.
When we finally pulled apart, the crowd was still cheering, their excitement filling the air like a tangible force. I glanced down at the ring on my finger, still in awe of everything that had just happened.
“ I love you, little one.” Kaden whispered in my ear, his hand resting on the small of my back.
“ I love you too,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion.
He smiled; his eyes filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache. “ Then it’s settled. You’re mine, and I’m yours. Forever.”
Forever. The word echoed in my mind, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged. I wasn’t just Meara anymore. I was Kaden’s mate. His queen. His wife-to-be. And with that knowledge came a sense of strength I hadn’t known I possessed.
As the night continued, we danced together, surrounded by our people, our future stretched out before us. The floating lights shimmered above, casting a soft, magical glow over the ballroom, and the crystal blue accents of the palace gleamed like stars.

It was a night I would never forget. A night that marked the beginning of the rest of our lives. And as Kaden held me close, his arms wrapped around me, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together.

Together, we were unstoppable.

And together, we would rule.

This was only the beginning.



THE END