Bewildered, she looked up to see where this attack was coming from. “Oh!” she gasped. A swarm of little fairies hovered over her head, showering her with fragrant flowers and petals.
Danielle recognized Alora as she swooped down and stopped so close in front of her face she almost had to go cross-eyed to see her.
“Hello, Danielle,” the sprite greeted and then snuck a look in Ethan’s direction. It seemed the tiny fairy planned to say more and wondered if Ethan would approve.
Which he didn’t. “Alora! Don’t you dare!” Ethan admonished sternly.
Alora pouted, gave Danielle a kiss on her nose and darted away like an insect.
“I’ll take those,” Beon said, reaching his hand out for the remaining roses to add to his arrangement.
“Oh … yes, sir.” Danielle quickly gathered them from her lap and passed them over.
He then began arranging the flowers in the vase as precisely as a florist would. But his brows furrowed when he apparently didn’t like how it was going. He left with the bouquet, looking a little exasperated—then returned to place the finished design in the center of the table. He’d added some tiny white flowers that dripped beautifully from the lip of the vase, complementing the roses nicely. Pressing his fists on his hips, he admired his work. The corner of his lips twitched into a smile and he turned on his heal to leave again.
Danielle snickered; Beon was funny when he behaved like this.
Emotions swelled within her. Ethan had planned all of this for her? Lifting her gaze to his, she said, “Thank you, I can honestly say I’ve never received flowers like that before.”
“Did you enjoy that?”
“Yes, though it was almost tiring.” Danielle slid her hand across the table to reach his. He followed her lead, matched his fingertips with hers and then interlocked their fingers. She sighed, she was here with Ethan, yet she hadn’t really had a chance to enjoy just his company. And realized that this was the best they were going to get as she again noticed the many guards lurking within the woods.
Ethan frowned. “You can’t be sad. Not at a time like this.”
“I’m not sad. It’s just ... well, we’re never really alone.”
“Salad is ready.” Beon’s voice cut into their “moment” abruptly, proving her point.
They both sat upright, forced to release their hands in the process. Ethan eyed her, looking concerned and lipped the words “I’m sorry” to her.
She nodded as Beon left them to their salads. “Will they leave us alone longer when we’re done eating?” she asked.
“That’s the plan,” Ethan said.
“Really?” He nodded, and she continued, “Please tell me this isn’t a six course meal.”
“No. It’s a light lunch.”
“Oh, good. Eat your salad quickly,” Danielle advised spearing some lettuce and a cherry tomato onto her fork. “The sooner we’re done, the sooner these interruptions end, right?” Again he nodded with a mouthful of salad on his fork, and her eyes drifted to the trees again. “Though the forest will still be full of watching eyes, won’t it?”
“I’m afraid so.” Ethan sighed. “I know this is massively awkward, but we can’t change it. Especially now that it seems you are being followed nonstop by immortals wishing to do you harm.”
Even knowing he was right, Danielle rolled her eyes. They couldn’t change it—she just had to learn to live with it.
When they finished their meal, Ethan’s expression rearranged again and he appeared to be quite distracted by his thoughts.
“Are you all right? Did you eat too fast?” she asked.
“No, love, I’m fine. Please come with me.” He stood, stepped around the table, lifted her hand into his, and then led her to an upholstered chaise lounge; another piece of furniture not usually seen in an outdoor setting.
Once Danielle was seated, Ethan dropped to his knee in front of her. She gasped, completely knowing what he meant to do.
He reached into his pocked, removed a small velvet box, and opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring set in white gold. The design was intricate and vintage inspired. The band was thick with rectangle diamonds leading up to the main setting. Fancy scrolls ran along the edges of the gold. The main setting was surrounded with a square of white gold, and tiny diamonds marched around the design. In the center sparkled a large, round diamond.
“Danielle my love, will you marry me? Will you be my wife?”
Her heart was pounding. Many girls fantasize about a moment like this, and here it was, a magical reality. She couldn’t have dreamed up a better man to marry in her wildest fantasies. Her emotions rushed to the surface and spilled over in the form of tears. “Yes, Ethan! Of course yes!” She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
With her arms still slung around his neck, Ethan managed to rise from his kneeling position to seat himself next to her on the chaise.
Pulling away, Ethan gifted her with an emotion drenched expression of love and devotion. “Thank you. I promise to keep you safe and make you happy beyond the end, Danielle, forever, for an eternity.” He reached back to disengage her left arm from around his neck, removed the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. “I designed it myself,” he whispered, his lips smiling as he ran his finger over the ring. “Are you pleased?”
“It’s beautiful. I love it.”
His eyes left the ring and met with hers. They gazed at each other, soul to soul. It was far more intense than just staring into the eyes of any another person, and it was something only they had with each other.
“It’s not too late to say no to the weak mortal and marry me instead!” was shouted from within the woods to their left. It was Max, the tease.
“Hey! Why did you hit me?” again bellowed the knight. Nadia had probably smacked him for the comment.
Danielle couldn’t decide if she wanted to cry or laugh at that.
“Ignore him,” Ethan said in a low tone as he gently took her face in his hands, and then enticed her with sweet kisses placed everywhere on her face—except for her lips. He kissed her on the eyelids, on the cheeks, along her jawbone, and just under her chin. Danielle shuddered thinking Ethan was a master at distraction, because he was driving her crazy by never touching her lips!
Her fingers interlocked behind his neck. “Kiss me. Now,” she demanded.
Ethan chuckled. When he finally did press his mouth to hers the kiss was sweeter, even more divine, and more delicious, and she realized that’s how he’d planned it.
She tugged him closer with his name on her tongue and smiled against his lips when he did the same. At that moment, Danielle didn’t care they weren’t really alone, and that they most likely had an audience.
The kissing continued until they were forced to gasp for air.
Ethan then leaned back into the chaise, spread his legs and tugged her to his chest. She fanned her fingers across his shirt to admire the exquisite ring, then dropped her head onto his chest.
They snuggled as the music continued to sweeten the air, and Danielle watched the edge of the trees as the fairies danced like colorful fireflies amongst them. Their glow was bright enough to see during the day, although they did keep to the darkness of the shadows.
“I love you,” she whispered softly.
“I love you too. More than anything,” Ethan replied.
They lingered until the sky transformed into sunset hues, and she knew it would soon be time to go. Danielle realized the time had come when she could see vampires emerging from the dense wood. They didn’t converge on them immediately, still giving them some time alone together, it seemed.
“Will they ever leave us to ourselves?” Danielle asked.
“Once we’re married they’ll have to give us more privacy.”
She sat upright, alarmed. “Please tell me that’s not the only reason you proposed to me.”
“No! Of course not! I want to spend this life and the next with you. I would have proposed
to you even if we didn’t have bodyguards tailing us constantly. I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time now. Since before I was even cured.”
Sighing in relief, Danielle could feel the soft smile on her face as she returned her head to her toned pillow.
Her mind was just now beginning to comprehend the clues ... he’d said he felt their situation could improve, he’d said he was working on a better plan than running away together, and he’d left on that trip…. But— “Ethan?”
“Yes.”
“Where did you go for two days?” she asked as she rubbed his tie between her fingers, experiencing the petal softness of the silk.
“Glenwood Springs. That’s a very nice little town, by the way.”
“Oh...” Her parents might not be too thrilled about this arrangement, mainly because it would keep her from returning to Colorado.
“Why do you think I went to Glenwood, Danielle?”
“What?”
He sighed, and she wondered if he we was ever frustrated with how slow she could be. “Danielle, I went to ask your parents for your hand in marriage.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“I didn’t think people did that anymore.”
“Well, I do.”
Of course he did. He was old-fashioned like that. She should have known.
“And they approved?” she asked in disbelief.
“Yes. I can be very convincing when I need to be.”
“Wow, I’m amazed. You’re amazing! They really did not want me to marry a Londoner.”
“They’ve accepted it, you have nothing to worry about,” he whispered with his lips against the top of her head, and his fingers tangled in her brown curls.
Danielle noticed the sun was sinking lower in the sky, and could see the vampires moving closer. However, she was still startled when she heard one speak into her ear. “Danielle! I’m so happy for you!” Nadia sang, as she gave her a hug.
“Thank you, Nadia.”
The others chimed in, embracing and congratulating them as well.
Max threatened to punch Ethan’s arm again, but it wasn’t really fair for Max to roughhouse with Ethan now that he was mortal, and Danielle covered his arms with hers so Max couldn’t do it.
The knight boomed with thick laughter. “Okay, I could never hurt Danielle, so I guess you have her to protect you.”
Ethan laughed and kissed her on the top of the forehead to thank her for rescuing him from his dangerous friend.
“How’s your arm from the last time?” she asked Ethan.
“There’s a nice bruise there, I can feel it. I realize now how much you were suffering when Celeste attacked you.” His golden brows turned up and he moaned.
She giggled.
Interrupting, Beon said, “I’m sorry, Ethan, Danielle, but it is time to go.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, Beon,” Ethan said.
“Thank you for everything,” Danielle added.
Beon nodded, smiling kindly.
Danielle closed her eyes as they neared her uncle’s home. She was very happy even though their circumstances remained unsafe. Ethan was right, it could improve.
“Danielle, do you still trust me?” Ethan asked.
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“You’ll see.”
His comment made her slightly nervous. It seemed there was more to his plans that she didn’t know about.
Ethan then pulled up to her uncle’s house, parked, and jogged around the car to open the door for her.
Beon and Sophia joined them as they approached the front steps. Danielle looked at them curiously, but they said nothing, though Sophia was smiling. She knew they didn’t need to be cautious with their eyes yet, as it would be a few more minutes before the sun set completely. However, the look on Sophia’s face made her suspicious again.
When they stepped inside, she knew what the secret was when they were greeted by more than just her aunt, uncle and Brianna. Her parents were there, and her mouth dropped open as she gaped at Ethan.
He chuckled and pressed her lips together with two gentle fingers placed under her chin. “Surprise,” he said.
“Danielle! You were right! Ethan is a very nice young man!” her mother said, drawing her into a hug.
She realized then how much she’d missed them, as she sank willingly into her mom’s comforting embrace. “Oh, Mom, it’s so nice to see you. Thank you for coming all this way.”
The moment her mother released her, her father beamed happily as he too gathered her into his arms.
“Daddy, I can’t believe you’re here! It’s so wonderful!” Danielle said, fighting back the tears that came to her so easily.
“My darling little princess has found her prince,” her father whispered when he leaned away from her to see her face. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am.” He cradled her face with his hand and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“Thank you.” It was such a huge relief to see them happy about her engagement. She’d made almost all of their fears come true by getting injured, going missing more than once, and falling for a Londoner when they’d allowed her to leave home and attend art school in England. But for reasons she didn’t understand, they were still content. She couldn’t help but wonder what miracle Ethan had performed to make this possible.
Brianna snatched up her left hand, requesting to see the ring. She was surrounded by the rest of her family as they also converged for a better look.
Uncle Nick invited everyone to sit down in the drawing room for—of course—tea. He then made the proper introductions, while her parents studied Beon and Sophia, appearing perplexed with their unnaturally youthful good looks. They did look older than Ethan, certainly, but not by much. She of course realized this is why they’d come, to present themselves as fake relatives for Ethan.
Ethan whispered into her ear as they seated themselves. “Danielle, your parents did have one condition for accepting my proposal.”
Her eyes widened, and she knew she couldn’t hide the worry in her expression. Of course there’d been a condition. Why else would her parents accept this so easily?
She knew her father had heard Ethan, when he said, “Yes, Danielle. We want you to finish with school before you get married.”
“Oh,” she said.
The room was silent as they all stared at her; it seemed they were expecting more than a one syllable word in reply. So she continued, “I can do that.” But she was feeling a little daunted by the requirement. She’d only been going part-time and didn’t expect to graduate quite so soon.
Of course she was nineteen and could tell them to forget it if she really wanted to, but the biggest problem was the fact that they were the ones who paid for her to go to school in the first place. Because of that, she felt they did have a say, and apparently they saw it the same way.
Feeling her muscles tensing as she tried to imagine a long engagement with bodyguards hindering her time alone with Ethan. Danielle knew Ethan sensed her stress when he moved his hand to her back and began working his fingers into the knotting muscles, clearly meaning to soothe her.
The silence in the room lengthened to an uncomfortable amount of time, until her mother spoke, “Ethan came out to visit us, to request our permission to marry you. We were very impressed with him. Oh, and he purchased a home in Glenwood!” she announced excitedly.
“Really,” Danielle said, turning to face him. So that’s how he’d managed to sway them, that and this ... condition.
“Yes, it’s a lovely little six bedroom with a very nice garden that reminded me of England. I think you’ll like it.”
“Little?” she muttered. How are six bedrooms little? “You never cease to amaze me, Ethan.”
He kissed her then, right in front of everyone. The response from the others was almost embarrassing, as they ooo’d and ahhh’d. Her mother and Sophia squealed with delight simultaneously.
Beon, who had downed his tea in one big gu
lp, set his empty teacup down and then spoke, “Well, it was lovely meeting you folks, but we must be leaving now. Ethan, shall we?” Danielle then realized that the sun had set, as both he and Sophia were behaving rather sheepishly about meeting anyone else’s gaze. Beon had suddenly developed an intent interest in his shoes while he stood, and fished around in his pocket for his keys. Sophia took another dainty sip of her tea, set the cup down, stood as well, and then averted her eyes to the door. They couldn’t linger any longer.
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, Danielle,” said Ethan.
“I know.” She frowned, or maybe it was more like a pout. “I’ll walk them out.”
Danielle stepped outside with Ethan, allowing Beon and Sophia to pass. It was their only chance to speak alone before he was taken from her again.
“Ethan, I don’t know if I have the patience for this ... not ‘til I’m graduated?”
“Monday we’re going to sign you up for accelerated classes. That along with full summer semesters and the AP credits you’d already earned in high school should make it possible.”
“But, I’ll be going to school nonstop!”
“No, just full-time rather than part-time. I’ll help you. It was the only way they’d accept it.” Surrounding her with his arms, he rested his chin on her head. “I’m sorry.”
“I’d rather run away,” she complained, feeling the sting of tears return. She could have handled a long engagement if it could have been a normal one, but a lengthy one while dates and alone time were restricted was a distressing thought.
“And you wouldn’t have been happy, Danielle, because they wouldn’t be happy.” Ethan tipped away from her, held her face with both hands, and pushed away the tears with his thumbs. “Don’t be sad. This is the best way. I know what happens when a child disappears. That’s what happened to my parents, and I know how much it devastated them. For the rest of their lives they mourned my disappearance. We can’t do that to yours.”
She exhaled slowly. “I know you’re right. It’s just—”
As she inhaled, Ethan suddenly blew his breath into her face, and then forced her to meet his sapphire gaze, allowing her to see his soul. “Does that help?” he asked patiently.
Fateful 2-Fractured Page 7