21. A Meeting for the Ages

CHAPTER 21

A Meeting for the Ages

R yker was standing at the far end of the ballroom discussing military maneuvers with Therian when the doors opened.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the herald announced, the microphone pinned to his lapel projecting his voice, "it is my honor to present the ninth participant in this year's Choosing, Miss Brynleigh de la Point."

Ryker's eyes flew to the ballroom doors. His height afforded him the ability to see over the heads of most of those gathered, giving him the perfect view of his intended bride. Like most of the men here, he was dressed to the nines. His suit and shoes were black, but he'd picked his tie for Brynleigh.

The moment she stepped into the ballroom, he knew he'd made a good choice. The crimson tie matched her stunning gown perfectly.

By the Sands, she was gorgeous.

Brynleigh paused on the threshold. Ryker's lungs tightened as he drank in the sight of his intended. The crimson mask hid her features, but the beautiful black bat wings and the shadows curling around her legs marked her as a creature of the night.

His creature of the night.

Ryker unabashedly studied his vampire. Immortal grace and poise emanated from her, and she was impeccably put together. Silken gold hair framed her face. A crimson gown hugged her body.

And her curves. His imagination hadn't done her justice. She was a dark goddess. The low V of her dress highlighted full breasts that were begging to be held and loved and admired. Her hips were rounded. A muscular thigh peeked through the slit in her dress.

Fucking perfection.

Ryker's entire body tightened as pure, hot, primal need ran through him. He couldn't wait to get her alone, to run his hands over her and claim her as his.

She stepped forward, poised and graceful. Her mouth tilted into a small smile, and her black eyes swept over the assembled group. Searching.

Kydona help him, but he'd waited so long for this moment. Tracing the outline of the box in his pocket, he turned to Therian.

"I've got to go." He clapped his friend on the back.

If the dragon shifter replied, Ryker didn't hear it. He was already moving across the ballroom, pushing past curious onlookers drawn towards her. The closer he got, the stronger her scent became.

Soon, night-blooming roses were all he could smell.

Nothing could keep him from going to her. Why were there so many people here?

Ryker was halfway across the ballroom when those beautiful obsidian orbs met his gaze. Though they were masked, it was like she stared directly into his soul.

He froze mid-step as if something had slammed into him. His heart was a drum in his ears. Shivers ran down his spine. The world stopped spinning, his magic thrummed in his veins, and deep within him, something he hadn't known he was missing settled into place.

A sea of people separated them, but it didn't matter. It turned out nothing mattered but her.

Time unfroze.

They both moved as if pulled by the same cord. He kept his eyes on her, pushing through the crowd until nothing but a few feet separated them .

Finally. Together at last. No barriers. Nothing keeping them apart. Not anymore.

Her lips parted, and he glimpsed two fangs nestled in her gums.

Hi , she mouthed.

He returned the silent greeting, vaguely aware that other things were happening around them.

The remaining participants of the Choosing were announced, and they entered the ballroom in turn.

He held Brynleigh's gaze.

Chancellor Rose took the stage, speaking into the microphone.

Brynleigh raised a brow as if saying, Can you believe we have to listen to another speech?

He smirked.

Ignatia Rose applauded the members of this year's Choosing for their "flexibility." A fucking understatement, but Ryker didn't even care. His vampire was here.

Ryker took another step towards Brynleigh. He committed her to memory.

Mine.

Soon, the entire world would know this gorgeous vampire was his, and his alone.

Earlier, Ryker had volunteered to propose first. Stepping up wasn't difficult—he was already certain of his decision and couldn't wait to see Brynleigh. His fingers twitched at his sides. He itched to rip the mask off her face.

He wanted to see her, touch her, kiss her.

It felt like the Chancellor's speech stretched on for hours, although it was likely mere minutes.

The entire time, Ryker's gaze didn't slip from his vampire's. Not when Chancellor Rose announced it was time for the first proposal. Not when the crowd moved back, lining the walls, until only the couples remained in the middle of the ballroom. Not when a spotlight shone down on them, illuminating them for the cameras that were certainly watching.

He was ready for this.

Ryker stepped forward, finally closing the distance between him and his vampire. Silence fell upon the ballroom as hundreds of eyes landed on them. They didn't bother him. As far as he was concerned, it was just him and Brynleigh.

No one else, not even the Chancellor, mattered.

Holding Brynleigh's gaze, Ryker reached out and took his vampire's hand in his. She hitched a breath at the contact, this touch as powerful as their first. Sparks coursed through him, and her fingers curled against his.

Once again, he marveled at the softness of her flesh. Her long, slender fingers fit perfectly within his hand. His thumb rubbed slow circles against her as he drew her closer.

When there was a mere foot between them, the corner of his lips twitched upwards. "You're beautiful." His hushed words were meant for her ears only.

Her red lips slanted up, giving him another peek of fang. She blushed, her cheeks turning a dusty rose that accented her beauty.

He would endeavor to make her blush every day.

"Thank you, Ry," she murmured. "You don't look so bad yourself."

The way her lips formed his name would forever be seared on his heart. He yearned to hear her say it a thousand times over, and he would cherish each instance.

His thumb swept across the back of her hand. "Ready, sweetheart?"

She drew in a deep breath and dipped her head. "It feels like I've been waiting for years for this moment."

In a way, so had he. When he'd agreed to enter the Choosing, Ryker had never imagined it would feel like this. So perfect. So right.

His entire body was on edge as Brynleigh stepped back and withdrew her hand from his. He let her go, his gaze glued to her willowy movements as she reached for the black silk strands securing the mask to her face.

His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes focused solely on the pull of her fingers. She tugged, and the silk knot behind her head came loose. The mask tumbled to the floor like an autumnal leaf.

Brynleigh was stunning . Beautiful in an unusual way that spoke to the deepest parts of him. Wide black eyes met his. Her cheekbones were strong. Her red lips were plump and kissable. She was everything he'd ever dreamed of, and yet, nothing like he'd ever imagined.

It took everything he had not to surge forward and wrap her in his arms.

Holding her gaze, his fingers rose and found the ribbons of his mask. He undid the knot and let the mask go.

His hands dropped, and his heart hammered as her gaze swept over his face. He would give anything for the ability to read minds right now. He wanted to know each of her thoughts.

After what felt like an eternity, Brynleigh stepped towards him. She reached up, her fingers grazing his cheek. "You're real," she murmured as if she couldn't believe it. "I'm touching you."

He felt the same way. This was like a dream.

Over the past six weeks, he'd learned to interpret every influx of Brynleigh's voice, every hitch of her breath, and every laugh. They'd shared some of their deepest secrets, talked about everything and nothing, and played chess for hours, and he was finally putting a face to the person behind it all.

And this was more than he'd ever imagined.

Seeing Brynleigh for the first time was like having lived his life in darkness and then stepping into the sunshine. Their connection was deep, powerful, overwhelming, and right .

"I'm real." Capturing her hand in his, he brought it to his mouth and grazed a feather-light kiss over her knuckles. "So are you."

Brynleigh sucked in a breath, and her wings flared out behind her. Someone in the crowd murmured, but he couldn't make out their words over the slamming of his heart against his ribs.

Threading their fingers together, Ryker held Brynleigh's hand as he dropped to one knee. The floor was cold beneath him, but the temperature didn't bother him.

Her mouth opened, and her tongue flicked against her bottom lip, wetting it.

Ryker reached into his suit pocket and closed his fingers around the black velvet box he'd tucked in there earlier. He drew it out slowly, prolonging the moment.

Silence enveloped the ballroom. It was so quiet that every sound, every hitched breath, was amplified a hundred times over. Nerves were tiny butterflies dancing in his stomach, and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

Ryker had practiced what he would say, but now the words didn't seem like enough. What if she said no? What if he was about to make a fool of himself?

His lungs squeezed, and for a moment, he thought he would pass out. Black spots appeared before his eyes, and he struggled to breathe. Right now, he wasn't a military captain or a powerful fae. He was a man hoping the woman he loved would accept his proposal.

Brynleigh gripped his hand, and her mouth curved up. It's okay , she seemed to be telling him. We're in this together .

Just like that, the nerves were banished. The butterflies found a new home, far, far away from him.

Ryker held Brynleigh's hand and stared deeply into those black eyes. "Sweetheart, getting to know you over the past six weeks has been the greatest honor of my life." His voice was steady and as unwavering as his grip as he spoke. "The day I walked through the doors of the Hall of Choice, I hoped to find a bride. I wanted someone smart, fierce, and loyal who could love someone like me."

He kissed the back of her hand. "I was hoping for you, even if I didn't know it yet."

Someone in the crowd gasped.

Another murmured, "This is so romantic."

Ryker tuned them out, focusing solely on the vampire before him. "Brynleigh Elise de la Point, I love you."

This was the first time the water fae had said those words aloud, but it wouldn't be the last. He would proclaim them every single day from now until he Faded.

"You are the moon, shining your brilliant light into my life," Ryker murmured, his voice deepening. "I lived in darkness before I met you and didn't even know it. You complete me. I wake daily thinking of you, and you've already taught me so much."

Brynleigh's gaze softened, and she whispered his name. "You've taught me a lot, too."

"I can't wait to see where the rest of our life goes." Ryker's grip tightened on her hand. Though his next words were quieter, their impact reverberated throughout his entire being. "Will you marry me?"

Brynleigh inhaled deeply, and her fingers twitched in his.

He silently begged her, Please say yes .

The entirety of Ryker's world revolved around the beautiful vampire before him. Every breath, every heartbeat, every second felt like an eternity as he waited for her response.

She opened her mouth and whispered, "Yes."

Ryker rose to his feet in one smooth movement. "Yes?"

His vampire—his fiancée—laughed. The beautiful, familiar sound washed over him like springtime rain. "Of course, I'll marry you." Her smile could have lit up the darkest room. "I've been waiting for this day since we first met."

Elation, unlike anything he'd ever felt, washed through Ryker. He grinned and picked Brynleigh up, twirling her in a circle. Her crimson gown trailed behind her, and she giggled.

"She said yes!" he shouted. He wanted everyone to hear their good news.

Cheers and claps filled the ballroom as Ryker returned Brynleigh to her feet. Remembering the box he held, he popped open the lid. Smaller onyx jewels encircled the sole diamond, and the ring sparkled in the light.

Brynleigh gasped. She reached for the ring, only to pull back at the last moment. "Ryker, this… it's too much."

She was wrong. Nothing was too much for her. She was his, and she would soon learn what it meant to be loved by him. Ryker always looked after those closest to him.

He shook his head. "No. It's perfect, like you."

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Ryker was delighted that he'd rendered her speechless. He'd chosen this ring with her in mind. Lifting her left hand, he asked, "May I?"

She nodded slowly. "Of course."

Sliding the ring onto the appropriate finger with care, Ryker admired the fit. "Do you like it?"

Glistening black eyes met his, making him feel like the most important man in the world. "I love it. "

The look on Brynleigh's face made Ryker forget they had an audience. She looked at him like he was the reason the world turned; she was there for him and only for him.

He felt the same way.

Threading their fingers together, he drew Brynleigh closer to him. He bent his head, his arm wrapping around her waist and settling beneath her wings.

She hitched a breath as his lips brushed the shell of her ear, and he whispered, "I love you."

She shivered beneath his touch, and he kissed her cheek before he could stop himself. The responding frisson that ran through her delighted him. He wanted to kiss her more thoroughly, but he would wait until they were alone.

While he was willing to share the beginning of their relationship with the world, their first kiss and everything that came after would be just for them.

He couldn't wait.