I decided I would wait to tell everyone about my conversation with Esme. I don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up if the prophecy ends up being the fairytale it sounds like it is. After learning about demons and vampires, an old prophecy and curse shouldn’t sound as far-fetched as it does to me, I know. For the people who are like Addison and Noah, in love but no chance of a future, I hope the prophecy is true. After all, Addison has been through, she deserves to be with the man she loves, even if it can only be for a short while.
“You look beautiful,” Addison says, appearing in the doorway of the room I’m getting ready in. “I know your mom and dad would give anything to be here with you tonight.”
“They are, though.” I smile and look out the window to the lake and forest that surrounds us. “They’re a part of everything and everyone here. I’ve never felt more connected to them than I do now.”
I still wish my memories of them could have been recovered, and I could remember what it was like before Nicolai had them killed. But with the stories and memories everyone has shared with me over this past month, in some ways, I feel like I do remember them, and for now, that’s enough for me.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to bring you back here. I can’t help but think I waited too long, and you missed out on time with Ryker.” Addison walks into the room and helps zip up the navy blue dress I had picked for tonight.
“I don’t know… I feel like we came back at the right time.” I smile at her reflection in the mirror. I know she doesn’t feel well, but she gathered the energy to be here tonight. “Addie, I never said it before, but thank you for giving up the life you could have had and protecting me instead. I know making that choice couldn’t have been easy.”
Addison stops fussing with my hair and meets my eyes in the mirror. “It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. Pruitt, you are my greatest accomplishment, and it means everything to me I was able to watch you grow into the amazing woman you are today. If I could do it again, I would make the same choices. Every one I made led me to being able to raise you. And I will cherish every second I have left with you.”
“Addie…” I sniffle before turning around and wrapping her thinning frame into my arms.
“Don’t mess up your makeup,” Addie whispers into my hair when she hugs me back.
“Too late.”
After we embrace, Addison helps me fix my makeup and gives me one last scan before grinning in approval. I slip on a pair of nude heels, and we make out way downstairs.
I’m surprised when we get down there that no one is around. Everyone had said they wanted to see us off, but the kitchen and living room are silent.
“Where is everyone?” I ask Addison over my shoulder as I walk toward the back door. All the blinds on the big windows are closed, which is weird since they’re typically wide open, allowing everyone to enjoy the view. The hanging blinds on the back door are even closed tight.
I swing open the door and look outside. When I see what’s on the other side of the door, I freeze, and my heart skips a beat.
Ryker, who is wearing a simple black suit, is on one knee in front of me. Shocked and confused, I look behind me for Addison, but she’s no longer there.
“What is going on?” I ask Ryker as I take a step onto the patio. “What are you doing?”
“I realized a few things when you left me,” he starts. “First, I realized you are the strongest person I’ve ever known. You walked away from everyone you love to protect them, fully knowing you would have to endure unbearable pain at the hands of the man who killed your parents. I also don’t think I would have been able to be as strong as you were to survive hellfire. Secondly, I refuse to live in a world without you ever again. I already did it for fourteen years, and the three days you were gone this past week were some of the worst days of my life. Please, never sacrifice yourself again, because I won’t survive it.”
Ryker takes a deep breath. “And lastly, I realized I had forgotten you were raised as a human most of your life, and there were human traditions you were missing out on. I was selfish and assumed my traditions would be enough, but when I saw the designs of the wedding dresses you had made, I knew I was wrong.” Ryker digs in his suit jacket and pulls out a small jewelry box.
“Ryker!” I gasp in shock when he flips the lid of the box, and I see a large princess cut diamond staring back at me.
“You’ve been so willing to be part of the world I was raised in, but now I want to be part of yours. Will you do me the honor of being my mate and my wife?”
46
Ryker
I’ve never been more nervous than I am right now. I’m on one knee proposing to my mate.
I had put this plan into motion the second we touched down in Montana a week ago. I had
