They were both silent as they unloaded the horses and removed the horses halters. Loi felt awful. She didn't want to seem uninterested, and now the air felt awkward. Sabyn was business like about setting everything up as they arranged the picnic blanket on a grassy patch near the river.
Fake it till you make it Loi, reminded her rational voice. Calm down and you'll be fine.
Right. Grabbing her saddle bag from the blanket, she knelt down and began pulling out the various food items.
When he walked to the river with a carafe, she quickly yanked the tie off her plait and shook her hair out. The glossy, ebony hair flowed out around her, instantly creating a curtain between them. Hiding behind her hair had been a childhood trait, but occasionally it gave her the privacy she needed to sort her thoughts out without someone observing. It quickly calmed her and she sat on the mat and relaxed her energy out.
It was just a brief shadow in the water, but Sabyn straightened up smartly. He knew what that was. The full carafe slopped against his leg from the sharp motion, but he ignored it, watching the fish instead. The enoumal continued on down river, oblivious to him.
Drat, I wanted to go for a swim. He frowned and turned to look up and down the river. A shallow section off the main river caused him to smile. Perfect, they could swim there. It was just deep enough for them to stretch out, yet not deep enough for the three ton enoumal.
I must mention it to Sian. Sito might like to hunt it.
Turning back, Sabyn paused at the sight of Loi, cross legged on the mat with that beautiful mane of hair spread around and the green energy humming out.
She looks beautiful in these moments he thought, and felt a rush of love for her.
Sensing his eyes, hers slowly opened and held his gaze as he walked over.
As they ate, she realized he'd had Hiranes prepare all her favorites—seasoned and lightly fried mushrooms, with cold sliced meats, and a fresh salad. The soft white buns Hiranes excelled at, as well as the creamy egg and celery mix she adored, had also been packed.
'Mmmmmm,' she grinned at Sabyn as they ate.
'Good? Don't eat too much. There's still dessert,' he said.
He turned to pull a couple more containers out. They were opened to reveal chocolate truffles, fresh sliced strawberries, and juicy raspberries.
'Sab!' Loi laughed in delight. 'Thank you.'
'Can't you thank me better than that?' he winked.
Putting the plate to the side, Loi reached out to tangle a hand in his hair, eyes on his. The glacial blue shade seemed to deepen a moment before he pulled her onto his lap and sank his mouth on hers.
When he finished the kiss and pulled back, her topaz eyes were ringed green and her energy rose around them, triggering his desire. Not yet though and he smiled, offering her a truffle along with a gentle kiss.
Loi plucked one from the pile and twisted so her back was to his chest as she nibbled at the sweet. He knew exactly how she ate them, around and around, until only the soft center was left to suck on. Hiranes' soft, succulent truffles were a court favorite.
While she was preoccupied with the treat, he snuck his hand into the saddlebag, carefully rummaging until his fingertips connected with the small case which he quietly pulled out and put under his leg to hide it. He pretended to be reaching for the berries and passed the bowl to her.
The fresh berries were almost better than the truffles. Loi savored their crisp, sweet tartness. The perfect end to a meal. She sighed in pleasure after grabbing another handful and settled back against Sabyn. The sun had moved in the time they'd been there. The rays shone fully down on the picnic, making her feel as sleepy as a sated cat as they relaxed there, almost dozing.
'Loi.'
'Mmmm?'
'Will you marry me?'
Her eyes snapped open and she spun out of his lap with a gasp, staring in shock. Sabyn had his head cocked as he regarded her with amusement, then drew a ring case out from beneath his leg and offered it to her.
Frozen to the spot she stared at the case, emotions running rampant through her. Delight, fear, excitement, and doubt. With her eyes squeezed closed she squeaked out.