I leaned my shoulder against the weathered wooden doorframe of the home studio that Eli built in our back garden. We quite literally turned the safe house in our home with adjustments and more furniture. Eli also had this home studio built here in the back garden so he could resume his passion for glass arts now that he was finally free to do what he wanted. Elysium also seemed to enjoy it here too with the gaming room. He even had a few nights over with his friends so we really saw no need to get back to my mansion or Eli's.

My things had all been moved here either way and Eli's room had become mine too with an expansion of the walk-in closet to accommodate our things. Landon eventually moved out to his own mansion saying he wanted some alone time, to do things he enjoyed doing, to really discover life and what it really felt like to live. We respected his decision but we still went to visit him every weekend and we all spent time together outside. It was like before, our traditional weekend together except now Landon was with us too. Some weekends, Agnus even joined in too complaining about his upcoming wedding happening after New Year now that the engagement was done but we both knew there was an unmistakable attraction brewing between Serena and him. Both were unfortunately too prideful and power driven to admit it.

Elysium also loved staying over at Landon's house, the two of them were lovers of comedy shows through and through. And they loved baking together, it seems to be their thing. I was actually happy seeing the two of them together like this. Landon needed this and I think Elysium too did. He's always wanted a big family. Now with Landon, Agnus too, Eli and me along with his close friends, he was thriving. I had never seen him this happy.

I was doing great too and my performances were praised greatly by everyone. Sometimes though I still dreamt of Kyron, if I could even call it a dream. It was more of a nightmare but I knew he was gone. Eli was here to hug me close to his chest whenever my mind chose to torment me in the middle of the night. I wasn't alone. I had my family by my side.

Landon also chose to manage the financial matters of Eli's glass galleries now. Even if Eli and him were no longer part of the guild, his father's money would still be laundered through Eli's business. It was too much of a precarious network to stop it now. Landon being Landon chose to continue managing only the financial part of Eli's business as his new job. In regards to the guild and the full management of the financial department of it, that would be taken over by another member of the inner circle, something Eli's father had to begrudgingly accept since Agnus demanded it.

We were all moving forward and everything finally felt normal again. I smiled, the cool air of the garden brushing against my neck as I watched Eli. It might be chilly outside but inside the studio, the atmosphere was thick, radiating a hypnotic, intense heat that made me start to sweat in my spaghetti strap flowery dress.

The steady, deep roar of the furnace hummed through the floorboards, a comforting rhythm that always felt like Eli's second heartbeat. This right there was his passion. His safe space to bring to life his artistic imagination.

Eli stood in the center of the glow, completely locked in his own world. He wore a fitted black tank top that hugged the powerful, broad contours of his chest and shoulders. The fabric clung to his skin, dampened by the sheer heat of the studio, and a glistening sheen of sweat tracked down his temples, dripping slowly down his jawline. Under the harsh orange light of the furnace, the intricate black ink of his tattoos looked alive, the sharp lines and dark colourful shading of Elysium's choosing shifted dynamically with every twitch of his muscles as he moved gracefully.

Damn he looked hot.

His dark eyebrows were creased in absolute, unyielding concentration. The usual cold, calculating aura he carried for the rest of the world was replaced by something raw and breathtakingly artistic. His strong hands - hands that could pull a trigger without flinching, but could also massage my aching muscles with endless gentleness were incredibly steady on the long steel blowpipe.

He turned the pipe with a fluid, practiced rhythm, shaping a glob of molten glass that glowed with a brilliant, fiery orange hue. He paused, leaning down to manipulate the hot, shifting medium with a pair of steel jacks, his jaw tight as he carefully flared the rim into a breathtaking, elegant silhouette. He was crafting a vase for my parents. It was a masterpiece of delicate curves, catching the light even in its raw, unformed state.

Watching him like this, so focused, so intensely dedicated to creating something beautiful out of fire and sand, made my chest tighten with a familiar, overwhelming wave of love. He was an apex predator, a man built for shadows, yet here he was, channeling all his formidable power into a gift meant to ask for my forever.

Yes.

Eli being the perfect gentleman that he was, said he wanted to ask my parents for my hand. And he's been in that studio for the entire day crafting a beautiful vase as a gift before we go to them tomorrow for dinner.

My heart fluttered in my chest. I would soon be his wife and we would explore the world like we said we would, going from countries to countries and trying everything together. That's exactly what I dreamed of when we became best friends and now it was finally a reality.

"How long do you intend to just stare at me like that, little Flame?"Eli's deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, heat rising to my cheeks. "I wasn't staring."

"You're right. You were admiring" Eli smirked, staring at me with amusement and warmth.

I rolled my eyes and grumbled "Alright, fine. I was. You can't blame me, you look really hot right now"

"I do?"Eli asked, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

I laughed. "You do and you know it"

"Maybe." His lips twitched with a smile as he returned back to his task. I watched as he carefully placed the steaming hot vase in the annealer.

"The vase is cooling down right now. We will pick it up tomorrow before going."Eli said, removing his gloves.

I stepped inside fully and wrapped my arms around his neck as he sat down on a stool. His hands settled on my waist naturally, pulling me closer. "I'm sure my parents will love it, you put your heart into it" I whispered softly, fixing his hair with gentle hands.

Eli smiled and stared into my eyes with a soft gaze he only ever reserved for me, his eyes filled with warmth, love and adoration. "You're ready to become Mrs Castillo?"He asked, pulling me closer.

God.. The words moved through me like a prayer

I leaned down and pressed the gentlest kiss against his forehead. "I'm more than ready. And I'm grateful that you chose me as your wife, your Bride and your Eternity."

For several heartbeats, Eli said nothing. He simply held me. Arms tightening around my waist with a tenderness that bordered on reverence.

He leaned his forehead against mine. "My Little Flame..."

His voice was quieter than the night slowly settling over Mexico.

"You never have to thank me for this. For choosing you. Because I love you" He pressed a slow kiss to my lips.

"And loving you is not an obligation."

Another kiss.

"It is not a duty."

His hand moved gently along my back.

"It is simply what my heart does."

He rubbed his nose against mine adorably, voice softening "It chooses you. And will continue to choose you"

"Again"He whispered against my lips.

A pause.

"And again."

Another gentle kiss close to my lips this time.

"Every morning."

His fingers traced soothing circles against my back. "Every night and every eternity that comes after."

My heart overflowed with love hearing his words. Because I knew they were true, he showed me through his actions countless times how much he loved me and how utterly devoted he was to me. His words were not just spoken like that. No, it came from a place of true love. Love that he showed me everyday with his actions and choices.

"I love you, Eli. And I will love you for the rest of our lives. Every day, I will be by your side, and every night I will hold you close to my heart. For the rest of our lives, I'll hold your hand through everything, I'll take care of you when you're exhausted and memories try to drag you back to a life you left. I'll be here to be your partner, your wife and above all else I'll be your best friend and companion, always" I said cupping his face tenderly.

Eli's eyes softened further and he pressed a kiss against the palm of my hand. "I love you more, Little Flame. For Eternity. And I intend to take care of you for the rest of my life, to listen to you, to put your needs first and be there for you."

I smiled and held him close to me, content to simply bask in his presence.

"Still..." His voice became slightly deeper. "There is a very ancient part of me that will always rise when I believe you are threatened."

A faint, amused smile touched my lips.

"I cannot promise that part of me will ever become particularly civilized."

I laughed softly and nudged his chest playfully.

He held my hand against his chest right where his heart is. "But I can promise you this. I will always choose your peace over my anger."

I looked down at him, feeling his steady heartbeat against my palm. The comforting rhythm soothing me.

"Your wellbeing over my instincts."

"Your freedom over my fear."

"Your happiness over my pride."

His voice softened. "Always."

Silence settled between us.

Not an empty silence.

A sacred one.

The kind where nothing needed to be said.

This was exactly why I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. We understood each other like no other. And the silence was never uncomfortable. I never needed to prove anything to him either. Not my strength. Not my gratitude. Not my resilience. I could be myself unapologetically, knowing he would never judge me.

"You have already given me the greatest gift by being you" I said, placing a soft kiss against his lips. The words came out quietly. Without grandeur.

Because it was simply the truth.

"You here with me on a peaceful night?"I said as my fingers gently intertwined with his.

"That's already enough."

🎨 Writing Details for the terms used :

•The Furnace : The roaring oven where he heats the glass.

• The Blowpipe /Jack : The long metal tube he turns, and the large tweezers-like tool used to shape the lips/rim of the vase.

• The Annealer: The cooling oven where the vase will rest after he breaks it off the pipe.