Sun Broken (The Wild Hunt #11) - Yasmine Galenorn Page 0,98

Leannan Sidhe blood. It’s so much easier to accept my father’s lineage. So I’m going to honor my mother and that side of myself with the tattoo, because it binds me to Morgana and to the sea. I feel I’ve earned it.”

“You have,” he said. “You’re so much stronger than you were when I first met you, and I’m not talking about your body. That, too, but your courage and your strength. You put yourself on the lines for those you love. You ran toward that cave, not knowing what you’d find, in order to save Raven.”

I nodded. “I have family now, and Raven’s part of it. Angel, Talia, Viktor, Yutani, even Charlie. You’re all my family. And I would fight to save any of you.” I stared at my hands. “I know Kipa’s worried about Trinity, but I think… I think Trinity can help Raven, even though he seems wildly chaotic.”

“You might be right.” Herne fell silent, his arm around my shoulders. He played with my hair, lightly toying with a strand of it.

The evening deepened, and outside, we could hear the frogs croaking. We had encouraged the critters to make their home in our garden, along with the dragonflies and bees, and birds. I closed my eyes as a light breeze hastened through.

Ashera had taken up residence on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride away, and she made it clear we were to keep touch with her regarding anything to do with Typhon or his emissaries. In fact, we were to meet with her come Monday to discuss the matter.

I let out a soft breath. “I love you, Herne. All I could think about when Pandora had me locked up was whether Raven was alive, and whether I’d see you again.” I blushed. “I’ve decided to embrace my wild side. As soon as I’m healed up, I need to let my Leannan Sidhe side out where it’s safe. With you.”

“So you shall, love, so you shall. Your fierceness in love play won’t hurt me. I look forward to it. I love it when you stroke me gently, and I’ll love it when you thrash me around in the bedroom. I’m a good match for your temptress.”

Then he lifted my chin and kissed me fully, his tongue lingering in my mouth, his hands firmly holding me to him. “There’s one more thing,” he whispered, sounding so serious that it made me sit up.

“What’s that? Is something wrong?” I gave him a wary look.

“No, but it’s Beltane, and I need to clarify something.” Herne slipped off the bed and turned to face me where I was sitting cross-legged. He slid his hand in his pocket, then withdrew it, cupping something I couldn’t see. Before I could speak, he knelt in front of me, on one knee.

“Ember Sabina Kearney, at the Winter Solstice, I gave you a promise ring carved from my own tine. Now, I want to make our promise a reality. My beloved, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?” He held out his hand, a ring box in his palm.

I stared as he slowly opened it. There, in the box, was a platinum ring with a square-cut sapphire in the center, and to each side were diamond and amethyst baguettes.

“Before you answer, remember this,” he said. “If you marry me, it will be for life. You will become a goddess, like my mother did. I promise that I will never stray, never take a mistress, never deceive or lie to you. But you will forever be bound to me and my world.”

“I…” I wasn’t sure what to say. My heart screamed for me to say yes, but my head warned me to think carefully before answering. “I want to say yes. I just…”

“You need time to think it over, and that time I give you. I’m in no rush, as much as I want you to wear my ring.” He gently closed the box and placed it in my hand. “When you decide, either come to me wearing the ring, or come to me to give it back. You must be absolutely sure of your answer. And should you choose to say no, then we’ll continue as we are.”

And with that, he kissed me on the forehead and crawled back in bed. I stared at the ring case in my hand. It would be so simple to put on the ring now, so very simple. But Herne was right—it was a