The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 56

"You just proposed because she was wearing that, didn't you?"

Char rolled his eyes. He'd known he would be in for more of Rath's teasing as soon as Iris left to change—a different brand of teasing than Rath delivered when she was present. And Rath could run his mouth while rummaging through the cabinets even better than he could with a mouthful of food.

"No."

"But it was a factor."

Char pressed his lips together and exhaled through his nose. "No, it wasn't."

Rath laughed and clapped Char on the back. "Lighten up. I know you're deeper than that. If all it took was a sexy outfit, you would have dropped to one knee the minute you saw her in that party dress. So, how soon are you looking to get married?"

A reluctant smile came to Char's lips. "As soon as possible."

"Figured. Better wait until we get home, though. Mother will forgive you for a lousy proposal. She'll never forgive you if you leave her out of the wedding."

Char had been toying with the idea of sneaking into the city and getting Father Peter to marry them, but Rath was right. His mother would kill him if he did that. And it would be too much of a risk for all of them.

"Yeah, but if we end up having to walk, I can't promise I'll wait until we get back."

Rath snorted. "You're such an idiot. Go get all the blankets in the place. We'll have to deal with heavier packs this time, but I'd rather carry an extra load than have to tell Mother she missed your wedding. Besides, I'm itching to get up in the air."

"Me, too."

Char hadn't gone this many days without flying in a while. He wanted to spread his wings and fly as much as Rath did. Catching an updraft, feeling the air rush across his scale—it was a euphoric experience.

But if faced with the choice between flying and risking Iris' life, he didn't even have to think twice. And he wouldn't mind a long walk with her. It would mean more alone time for them, too, because Rath wouldn't have the patience to stick it out.

He envisioned nights spent cuddling in front of a fire with her.

No, a long walk wouldn't be such a bad option.

"Oh—"

He snapped out of his thoughts and grabbed Iris' upper arms to steady her. She had been leaving the hallway while he was entering it, and he'd run right into her.

"Sorry. What... are you wearing?"

His eyes slid down her, taking in her change of clothing. She blushed.

"What do you think?"

The plaid shirt and heavy work pants were both baggy on her frame, but they left much of her wrists and ankles exposed. Dwarven men were shorter and stockier than her, after all. She'd tucked the shirt into the pants, which she'd cinched around her waist with a thick leather belt and a brass buckle that looked enormous on her stomach, and overall, the entire outfit was ridiculous.

"Well, it looks better on you than it would on a dwarf." Char leaned in to steal a quick kiss, and when she tried to step back, he pulled her into an embrace. "Ow. This belt is gonna get annoying, though."

She giggled, peeking up at him through long brown eyelashes. "Then maybe you should let me go."

"Now, why would I do that?"

"Because you're supposed to be grabbing blankets, you idiot. Sheesh, do I have to do everything around here?"

Char released Iris with a sigh at Rath's interruption. The pink in her cheeks had flared a deep red. "Yeah, yeah."