Epilogue

The sun was high in the sky as Knallia lay next to Aven in the grass under the tree in the preserve. They had spent every day here in the week since the meeting with King Jaccob just talking and learning more about each other. There may have also been some hand holding and kissing, since those things had been on both of their to do lists.

Martin was gone, Rannick had taken him to Ossea where he would spend many years in a dungeon. Evidently telling a king that you had kicked and kidnapped his heir, and then shot her with a crossbow while plotting her death so you could steal the woman she loved didn't go over too well.

"So, when are we getting married?" Aven asked, rolling onto her elbow, and looking down into the hazel eyes that cast spells more powerful than the court wizard on her.

"I'm not sure. Are you sure you want to marry me?" Knallia asked, a small smile on her face.

"What? How could you ask that? Of course I do!" Aven blurted.

"Well, I wasn't too sure you see. I gave you this ring showing you I'd made my choice," she touched their rings together in a tiny clink. "And you asked my father for my hand in marriage." Aven was nodding along with her statements. "But you never did ask me to marry you," she pointed out, keeping the smile on her face.

Aven was stunned. As many times as they had proclaimed their love, as much as they had been though, as many times as they had talked about the future. She realized that Knallia was right, not once had Aven actually asked Knallia to marry her. Quickly, she got up onto her knee, looking down at the beauty in front of her.

"Princess Knallia, love of my life, would you please make my every dream come true, and consent to be my wife?" she asked earnestly.

Knallia rose off the ground, kneeling in front of her and leaning in till their noses were touching. "Queen Aven, nothing in this world would make me happier than being your wife."

"I love you!" they murmured together as their lips met.