It was night time now…Kora had left, and Adina was staring at the wall clock, waiting for it to hit 12 am so she could go to Thorne's room.

Ten minutes to 12, her door opened suddenly. Thorne stood by the doorway, his gaze on her.

"It's you? You're done early," Adina spluttered, the makeup still fresh on her face, seeing as Kora did it about two hours ago.

Thorne smiled, leaning against the door frame. "Come with me," he said.

She frowned slightly, having expected him to compliment her face. Did he not like the makeup? Did Kora do it weird? Was her face the odd one?

"W-where?" She stuttered after having caught herself.

"Out," he replied calmly, and she nodded, walking towards the door.

"Wait, you should wear something warm."

At this, she paused. "Warm?" She repeated.

He didn't answer her, though. He walked further into the room and grabbed a thick shawl on the bed.

"Come here," he said, then wrapped the shawl over her shoulders, making sure she was well covered. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.

The kiss on her forehead sent a rush of warmth down her spine, chasing away every doubt she'd just been battling.

"You didn't tell me where we're going," she murmured shyly, looking up at him.

Thorne held her gaze for a second longer. "Somewhere I've never taken anyone."

Adina's heart did a slow, confused somersault. "Why now?"

He lifted his hand and brushed his knuckles gently across her cheek. "Just because." He held her hand in his. "Come on, let's go before midnight hits."

They walked in silence through the halls, the only sounds were the quiet shuffle of their feet. Most of the palace was asleep, and those that weren't kept quiet.

Outside, the air was cold, the sky above filled with stars. Thorne didn't say a word, just led her down a narrow path that curved behind the palace, through a cluster of trees, and up a hill.

Adina recognized nothing.

They finally stopped at the top of a ridge that overlooked the whole kingdom. Below, the lights of Obsidian glowed faintly. It was stunning.

Adina gasped in awe. It was beautiful. She'd never thought something like this existed, but it did, and it took her breath away.

She opened her mouth to speak but was completely cut off by the fireworks that shot up into the sky.

Her eyes widened so hard, they almost fell out of her eye socket. "WHAT?" She whispered in awe.

Fireworks were once in a lifetime. Only the wealthy could afford them. Adina remembered when Cassandra had begged Roman for them on her birthday, and he refused and said they were too expensive, he couldn't afford it.

"Thorne, did you see—" the words died down her throat when she turned around only to find him already staring at her.

"Thorne…" she whispered, tears blurring her vision. "Did you?.."

"Only I can."

Adina swallowed the lump in her throat. "I—why?"

"Because…..I wanted to show you just how much you mean to me." He paused, holding her hands up and kissing her palms gently. "I'm sorry, I should've told you about Elara and I. At that time, my past with her was irrelevant, and it didn't cross my mind even once."

Adina's smile dropped slightly. "Did you….did you hear me with Kora?" She asked.

"I did. I overheard you speaking to her, and I—"

Adina's heart dropped. "That wasn't meant for you to hear—" she whispered.

"I know," he cut in gently. "But I did. And I hated the thought that I made you feel like you were anything less than everything to me."

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Adina, you're not second to anyone. Not Elara. Not Roseanne."

Her breath caught. She hadn't expected him to say that name, remembering how angry he had gotten when she went into the wrong room.

"What happened with Elara was a mistake. One that I wished never happened. And perhaps that's one of the reasons why it never occurred to me to tell you. But know that…. I'll never see you as a second to anyone. Not Elara, not Roseanne. You are my present and future, Adina.

Tears welled up in Adina's eyes. She looked away, overwhelmed, but Thorne gently tilted her chin back to meet his gaze.

"I'm in love with you, Adina. I want you to be my mate in every sense. The Queen of Obsidian."

A tear fell to Adina's cheek, and she looked away. "I- I'm not a sage, Thorne."

"Adina.."

"You want pups. I know this. I overheard you and Thessara talking about it. You can only bear pups with a sage. If you're with me, then how—"

"—I don't need pups. I don't want them," Thorne quickly cut in.

Adina's eyes widened again. "Y-you're just saying that."

She'd gone through that with Roman. The daily expectancy of taking in a pup. The herbs, the tasteless food. The offerings. She'd done it all and yet didn't conceive…not until when she did, and even then…she lost it.

"You'll want a pup, and then you'll blame me for not giving you one. You'll hate me." She shook her head, the memories rushing in like a flood.

"Adina…" he held her shoulders tight, forcing her to look at him.

"I don't want pups if they aren't with you."

"I'm barren."

Thorne chuckled, "I'm infertile. I'm cursed."

Adina blinked fast, trying to hold the tears back, but they fell anyway.

"I'm not asking you to give me a pup," Thorne continued, "I'm asking you to give me you. That's all I've ever wanted. That's all I'll ever want."

Adina's shoulders trembled, and she brought her hand up to her mouth. "I don't have status. I don't know my parents. My blood is… tainted. I was sold for killing my former alpha's pup." She paused, shaking her head. "The people will talk. They'll say the queen of obisidan is….damaged.Your name will be ruined."

"Adina, I'm the king of Obsidian. King of the southern realm. The people say I killed my former mate. They say I ripped our pup out of her stomach. My name can't get any more ruined than that."

Adina chuckled wetly as Thorne wiped her tears, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Will you be my mate in every sense there is?" He asked, and she couldn't help as her body shook with laughter.

She nodded against his chest, feeling very much lighter.