Weight of the World

Chapter Eighty

—Tregaar—

Her laughter was music to his ears. Lying back in the dirt, surrounded by a bed of blooming flowers, she was more beautiful than any masterful painting, more divine than any goddess. She was perfection incarnate, and he hadn't been able to resist devouring those full lips, pressing ardent kisses not just to her mouth, but trailing down her neck as well to transform her laughter into delighted gasps. Her hands were dirty, their past several hours spent cultivating their small garden, but he spared it no thought as her fingers wound into his white hair, caring only that she pulled him even closer as he returned to her now bruised lips. He kept his eyes open as he kissed her languidly, pleased to see that she, too, was looking back.

"Adix, we're going to ruin the flowers," Orianna chided softly, but she made no move to pull away.

He smiled, brushing his nose over hers. "I wouldn't dream of harming your garden, Orianna. I know how dear it is to you."

She giggled. "Our garden, var'elleth. You've helped as much as I have."

His brow wrinkled, discontent filling him as the mention of the affectionate pet name she had bestowed upon him. It wasn't that he disliked it. In fact, each time she called him such, he found his heart skipped a beat.

"I need to find such a name for you," he remarked quietly as he traced the smooth planes of her face.

Her face broke out into a beaming smile. "But I love it when you call me 'Orianna.' You're the only one who does."

The moment he began to ponder the matter, a word instantly flitted across his mind, one that he knew fit her better than any other. "Mm...but I would much rather call you ce'laine. What do you think?"

Orianna stilled beneath him, her eyes wide as she stared up at him in disbelief. Though he knew he should have put far more thought into it than he had, offered her a grand gesture with a lavish celebration and a cheering crowd, Adix much preferred it this way. The war with Korintha had made it nearly impossible for them to see each other for any extended period of time. Only because it was his birthday had they been given a week to spend with each other in Namera's palace. There was no telling when they would see each other again, and each time they were forced to part, Adix had toyed with the question. He loved her more than the world. There would never be another, he knew, and so, it felt natural to finally broach the question as they lay there together in their small, secluded paradise.

"Adix..." her voice was breathless as she searched his gaze, wondering perhaps if he was serious.

"Yes, ce'laine?" he teased her softly, delighting in the way her breath hitched again.

"You...Do you even know what you're asking?"

He chuckled deeply, dipping his head down to kiss the juncture of her neck. "Oh, I'm very aware, ce'laine. I'm asking if the woman I love more than life itself would accept me as her husband until death do us part."

"Adix..."

"There's no reason to refuse."

"We're in the middle of a war..."

"Meaning we could die at any moment."

"The King of Bones..."

"...Can fuck off." She made to argue more, but he silenced her quickly with another kiss, waiting until he felt her melt against him before he pulled away. "Marry me, Orianna."