The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter 41: Bittersweet Dreams

Carolina

A warm breeze rustles through my curly hair, causing a number of strands to whip against my eyes. Before I can move the hair away, long masculine fingers brush against my face, beating me to the punch. I'm greeted by a broad smile, his brilliant white teeth nearly blinding me.

Elijah places a sweet kiss on my forehead before slipping my hand into his again. He continues to lead me through the tall blades of grass that gently scratch my exposed legs and arms. The skirt of my simple white sundress does little to protect me from the nature we are walking through as the wind sweeps through it.

Thankfully, we make it to the end of the grassy clearing soon enough to find the shore of a pond and a small row boat waiting for us. In the boat is a small picnic basket and a mini cooler. Elijah couldn't have planned this surprise more perfectly.

"What made you think to do this?" I ask as Elijah leisurely rows the boat. I can't help but admire the way his biceps flex each time he rows under the fitted white polo shirt he's wearing. It's paired with light brown loafers and a dark pair of jeans. He's wearing his piercings, which make him look extra handsome in that hot bad boy kind of way.

"I got the idea from one of those films you kept making me watch," he responds with a smirk.

I playfully roll my eyes at him. "You didn't have to watch those rom-coms with me. Tori is always available to do that," I say.

Elijah feigns shock. "And here I thought I had to watch these so-called chick flicks just to be a good betrothed. I'll be sure to strangle Luk later on for making me believe that," he chuckles.

My lips twitch at the word betrothed. "Betrothed? Who are you getting married to?" I ask softly.

Elijah suddenly stops rowing at my question. I notice we're in the middle of the pond now. Everything is calm, and it feels like everything has come to a standstill. Elijah silently opens the picnic basket and pulls out a small black box. My heart starts to race as it dawns on me what we're really doing here.

"I was hoping to you," he whispers. Elijah opens the box and the breath I didn't realize I was holding in finally comes out. I expect to see an engagement ring, something expensive and flashy because Elijah can be over the top sometimes with spending. But instead of that, I just see a strange, glowing blue stone. The stone is the size of a ping pong ball and while it has a round shape, it has jagged edges like an uncut diamond. The color is light, almost like an aquamarine stone.

I can't help but feel confused. Elijah sets up an almost picture perfect proposal but he doesn't use a ring. And even though I'm sure men from his ancient times probably didn't propose with a wedding ring, I'm sure they didn't propose with a glowing light blue rock either.

If my confusion is evident on my face, Elijah doesn't react to it. In fact, he continues as if he doesn't notice my reaction. "I know we haven't been courting each other for as long as other couples in this century. But you and I both know we're soulmates. And we've grown so close. I've come to know you and you've come to know me. We know how we feel about each other. So, Carolina, would you make me the happiest demigod on this earth and become my bride?"

I'm left speechless. But not because of what Elijah said. Instead, I'm quiet because it's starting to become clear to me that something is wrong, and I seem to be the only one on this boat who notices. We've only been together for a couple of weeks now and Elijah never brought up proposing since we agreed to take things slow. And where are we? I suddenly realize the grassy field around us goes on forever but it feels like we're stranded in a place that isn't even real.