Cal burst through the hospital doors and ran between the rows of beds to Matias's bed. She saw him, Luna by his side.

"Matt!" she called.

His head snapped to face her at the sound of his name. His eyes widened as he caught sight of her. He threw the blankets back and got out of the bed. "Cal?" he said, jogging towards her.

"Matias!"

Matias caught Cal up in his arms and spun her around. He set her on the ground, putting a hand under her chin and brought his lips to hers. She twined her fingers in his inky black hair. They broke apart, gasping for air.

"I didn't give up," he gasped, his forehead touching hers. "I won't leave you."

"Sorry to break up this reunion, but there are things we need to discuss," said Daktari.

Matias put an arm around her and Cal leaned into it. Daktari sat down on a stool.

He gestured to Matias's bed. "We need to discuss a few things, Captain Gomez."

They sat down, Matias still holding her close.

"As you both—all—probably know, Beezlebub root isn't something you can cure. It is a reliable poison in terms of assassinations that you want to go undetected." He gave Matias a pointed look. "Somehow, you managed to survive and are recovering despite being on Javareya's doorstep, Captain Gomez."

"I feel fine, Daktari," said Matias. "Really, I'm okay."

"You say that now," Daktari said, "but you could take a turn during the night and be dead in the morning. I would like you to stay another night for observation."

Matias looked down at Cal and relented. "Fine," he said. "One night." Matias leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I have a really important question I want to ask you, but I don't want to ask it here."

She looked at him dubiously. What question does he want to ask me? she thought in curiosity.

"Is it possible to maybe go out for the day?" asked Matias.

Daktari stiffened. "I don't know, Captain Gomez—"

"Please," Matias pleaded, sounding like the boy he used to be.

The medic relented, his shoulders slumping. "Fine, but you're back by dark."

Matias nodded rapidly. "Yes, yes, please. I need to stretch my legs. I've been confined to this bed for far too long."

Daktari sighed heavily, punching the bridge of his nose. "Don't make me regret this."

—

Soturi was beautiful, Matias had to admit.

"What do you think?" asked Cal.

Her arm was looped through his, a fur-lined cloak thrown over her shoulders. They had both gone out to get fitted for clothes. Matias has seen the sketches of her dresses.

Matias smiled down at her. "It's beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the woman before me."

Her cheeks reddened and she looked away. They stopped at the banks of the Baldurfluss river. Matias removed his arm and reached into his trouser pocket. He turned to face Cal.

"Cal," he said, "I have something I wish to ask you."

"What is it?" she asked, turning to face him.

His stomach started doing flips. "We have been friends for our entire lives," he began. "Given everything that has happened in the past few months—from the iron to being poisoned—I can't think of any other person I want to spend the rest of my life with." He took his hand out of his pocket and got down on one knee. Cal's eyes went wide as she beheld the ring in his hand. "I love you, Calista Pyro. More than anything. Will you do me the greatest honour of granting me your hand in marriage?"

Cal blinked rapidly. A smile broke her face and tears fell down her cheeks. She nodded her head. "Yes," she said tearfully. "Yes, Matias Gomez. Yes, I will marry you."