The Darkest Touch

Torin must have felt Keeley’s gaze on him because he glanced over and winked at her.

She blew him a kiss.

He stood and closed the distance, and her gaze swept lovingly over his T-shirt. This one read, “I Tangled with the Red Queen and All I Lost Was My Heart.” The best one yet.

He drew her into his embrace, saying, “Why aren’t you eating? I know you don’t think we’d poison you.”

“As if anyone would dare. I’m just enjoying the scenery.”

He kissed her temple, his lips lingering against her skin. “Have I thanked you for giving me another chance?”

“A thousand times.”

“Have I told you I’d be lost without you?”

“That, too.”

“That you are everything to me?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, I am a seriously good boyfriend.”

A laugh burst from her. “You certainly are. And modest, too.”

He released her, and she moaned at the loss. But she didn’t have to go without him for long.

He dropped to one knee and took one of her hands. His emerald eyes peered up at her, earnest, intent. “I love you with all that I am. I am nothing without you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just a little while. Because if home is where the heart is, then you’re my home. So Keeleycael, Keeley, Keys, Red Queen, Princess, I’m hoping you will do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Torin.”

He held up a ring, and her breath got caught up in her throat. The jewelry had a tiny snow globe in place of a diamond, just large enough for her to see the couple embracing inside. A tiny couple carved from wood. He’d made this. For her.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she jumped up and down. “Yes! I will be Mrs. Torin and you will be Mr. Dr. Keeley and we will plan a wedding that will nut-kick Anya and Lucien’s.”

“Hey!” Anya called. “You’re just setting yourself up for failure.”

Torin popped to his feet, and Keeley threw herself into his waiting arms. Once, she’d craved nothing more than being adored and pampered. She’d thought of settling down with a nice man and ruling her kingdom. Now she was adored. She was pampered. But she didn’t have a nice man—she had a fierce warrior. Exactly what she’d needed.

“I’m going to make you happy,” she vowed.

“Princess, you already do.”