The Ring At Last.
“Dinner with Ronan?” I blinked.
I took longer than usual to get ready, every stroke of the brush, every curl of my hair, every dab of perfume, it all had to be perfect. Red silk clung to my body like it had been poured on me with lips matched, and heels sharp enough to slit a man’s throat. Tonight, I would look like everything Ronan needed, everything he couldn’t afford to lose.
When the driver arrived, I was already at the door waiting.
The car rolled through the city like it was clearing the way for a queen. My pulse throbbed with every red light we passed and my heart beat like a war drum in a golden cage. The closer we got, the harder it pounded, something in my chest said tonight would change everything.
The restaurant was familiar, a place Ronan and I had been to countless times. Luxurious, private, and the kind of place that didn’t have menus because everyone already knew what they wanted. Even the walls oozed wealth and si- lence.
He was already there.
Ronan sat at a candlelit table near the large window, hands folded, jaw clenched, the storm in his eyes quiet but brew- ing. His black suit was crisp, flawless and his aura was an unshakable power wrapped in cold stone.
He didn’t stand nor did he smile.
“Sit,” he said flatly and I did.
Ronan did offer me any compliments but I didn’t care because I felt that tonight was different.
The waiters moved like shadows, placing silver-covered dishes and filling wine glasses. My fingers trembled slightly as I picked up the glass, I tried to steady myself, tried to breathe. The scent of aged red swirled in my nose, but I bare- ly tasted it.
To my surprise, Ronan stood up.
“Ronan.” I muttered.
Ronan stepped around the table, reached into his coat pocket, and dropped to one knee.
I froze in shock as my heart dropped to my stomach.
Gasps fluttered across the room with phones lifted. Camera shutters clicked like fireworks, the low hum of elegant conversation turned into a rising wave of whispers and awe.
I blinked, wide-eyed, unable to move, my heart was trying to rip through my ribs.
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He held up a velvet box, opened it slowly, revealing a diamond ring that sparkled like it was lit from within. It was blinding and magnificent, every inch of it screamed war spoils.
“Oh my God.” I muttered still in awe.
“Seline,” Ronan began to speak, his eyes locked on mine. “You’ve stood by me through every disaster, every betrayal and in every fuck-up I’ve made, you never left or questioned me.”
I bit my bottom lip and my hands were already shaking.
“We both know this isn’t about love,” he continued. “Not the fairy tale kind, this is about survival, strategy, and pow- er. We understand each other, we both want control and stability.”
Tears stung my eyes, but I didn’t dare blink.
“You’ve proven to me that you’re the one constant in my life, and right now, I need constant help and loyalty.”
Camera flashes exploded as diners murmured. Phones recorded but all I saw was him, all I heard were the words I had twisted into dreams for eight years.
“So I’m asking you this,” Ronan said. “Will you marry me? Will you stand beside me, in public, in power, and in
war?”
My hands flew to my mouth.
Eight years.
Eight goddamn years of waiting!
Of being the shadow, the mistress and a secret.
Now, in front of everyone, I was the choice.
“Oh my God, Ronan.” I stammered as tears filled my eyes.
My breath hitched as my chest swelled with everything I had ever buried, the pain, the jealousy, the obsession, and the victory.
I nodded furiously, choked on the sobs, then managed to whisper, “Yes! Yes, Ronan, a thousand times, yes.” I screamed.
Ronan smiled and took my hand as he slid the ring onto my finger.
I gasped, the stone was heavy, real, cold, and mine.
Ronan got up on his feet and at once, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him like the world was ending. The restaurant burst into applause as more lights flashed on us, people clapped and cheered.
The noise melted into a blur of validation.
This moment, this moment was mine.
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I was finally the woman in the light, the woman with the name, and power.
I am Ronan soon to be Mrs Seline Lancaster, and Zyrah could burn in hell.
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Zyrah’s Point Of View.
