If we don’t get them out of this freezing sleet immediately, the frost will take both of those innocent babies!” Kaelen barked, his voice barely cutting through the howling wind beneath the rusted Boston overpass.

As twilight settled over the Berkshire valley, painting the sky in breathtaking strokes of violet, amber, and crimson, soft lantern light illuminated the grand rose garden.

The sweet fragrance of night-blooming jasmine drifted on the gentle summer breeze.

Mrs. Higgins, the estate’s beloved new head housekeeper, had taken the twins inside for their evening bath and bedtime story.

Silas and I walked hand in hand along the winding stone path beside the illuminated fountain.

The water danced in the moonlight, creating a peaceful, hypnotic melody that washed away the final lingering echoes of the past.

Silas stopped beneath an archway of blooming white roses, turning me gently to face him.

His slate-gray eyes were filled with an intensity so raw, powerful, and vulnerable that my breath caught in my throat.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box embossed with the ancient dual crests of the Mercer and Hawthorne dynasties.

He slowly dropped to one knee on the soft grass, looking up into my eyes with unconditional devotion.

“Elena Hawthorne,” Silas spoke, his deep baritone voice trembling slightly with genuine emotion.

“Six months ago, I pulled you from the freezing snow to fulfill a blood oath to my father.”

“I thought I was simply executing a duty of honor.”

“I was wrong.”

“You brought light into a life that had known only darkness and war.”

“You showed me that the greatest power in this world is not the strength of an army, but the courage of a mother’s heart.”

“I love you with every beat of my soul.”

He opened the velvet box, revealing a flawless twelve-carat royal-blue cushion-cut sapphire ring, surrounded by a halo of brilliant white diamonds that sparkled like stars in the moonlight.

“Will you marry me, Elena?” Silas asked, his voice filled with tender hope.

“Will you allow me to spend the rest of my life protecting you, loving you, and being a true father to our daughters?”

Tears of pure, overwhelming joy spilled freely down my cheeks.

I looked at the man who had sheltered my dying body with his own flesh, who had fought an army to keep my babies safe, and who had restored my kingdom.

“Yes, Silas,” I whispered, my voice ringing with absolute certainty.

“A thousand times, yes.”