Page 36 of A Spark in the Ash

We step out into an arboretum. It's humid in here, and it feels…good. I've lived in this desert for a long time, so I have completely forgotten what humidity feels like. But it's warm, just the right temperature considering it's still early enough in the day that the temperatures are not scorching. And it's a jungle in here. The entire place is packed with tons and tons of plants. They climb up the walls, they cover the ground entirely. There are plants hanging from the ceiling. There are even exotic birds walking around, some of them with big, long legs, others sitting in branches, all of their feathers exceptionally bright and beautiful.

It's…an oasis in the middle of this loud and sinful city.

Jaxon looks around the beautiful space, and I realize there is no one else in here. It's early for Sin City, the majority of people are still in bed. He guides me back to the center of the arboretum and we stop next to the miniature waterfall.

Jaxon looks nervous.

Why is he nervous?

This is all fake, right?

Suddenly, I’m nervous.

He takes in a shaking breath and meets my eyes. "This has been…complete insanity from the very moment we first met." I look into his green eyes, and my racing heart begins to calm. "It started perfect, and then there was a death, and then I found out that sometimes people aren't simply human. We ran away together, and I thought you were going to kill me, but I also couldn't make myself run when I knew that I should."

I smile, because I remember feeling so stupid for trusting him so much in those first two days. Heshouldhave run.

"It's been a roller coaster of insanity since I met you, Serena," Jaxon says. His tone is low, intimate. He takes my left hand in his. "But I haven't regretted any of it. And I know that this part is for show, but…" Once again, he raises my hand to his lips. Gently, he presses them to my knuckles, and his eyes slide closed. My body doesn’t know what to do. One second it’s calm, convinced that everything is going to be okay. The next, my heart is sprinting with anticipation. Slowly, Jaxon opens his eyes again. "But I'm still in this for real, Serena. It's still so early but…" he trails off.

I know what he means. We still have only known each other for a month and one day. Yet, he's everything to me.

"I hate that we have to pretend like this," Jaxon says. "But if I have to pretend to be married to someone, I wouldn't want it to be anyone but you."

Jaxon reaches into his pocket and withdraws a black velvet box.

My heart beats even faster.

He opens the lid, and he actually drops down onto one knee. "Serena the darkling," he says with a slight smile. "Will you pretend to be my wife?"

I actually laugh. I honestly didn't know what was going to come out of his mouth after he opened that box.

But I am relieved.

"Yes," I say with a laugh as I nod.

Jaxon’s smile is huge, and it's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. He rises up and pulls the ring from the box. I hold my hand up, and he slides it onto my ring finger.

Despite the lightness of the previous moment, all of my insides still as I look at the ring on my finger.

It's…amazing.

I don't even know what to call the cut of this diamond. Hexagon? It's definitely not a marquise, but it's not emerald shaped either. It's pointed on the ends, and slightly elongated. But the diamond itself is unlike any other I have ever seen before.

The majority of it is crystal clear, but there are black swirls spread throughout the entire diamond.

It's almost as if this diamond was formed with us specifically in mind. The light and the dark becoming one.

Surrounding it is a sun spray of white diamonds jutting out from it. The entire thing looks as if light is literally springing forth from the dark.

I look up at Jaxon, and find him searching my expression, trying to read my reaction.

I don't mean for it to happen, but instantly, emotion wells in my eyes. My throat is tight.

I haven't cried in such a long time, but suddenly, I'm filled to the brim with emotions.

"How did you even find a ring like this?" I ask as my voice shakes.

"There's a reason why I went to this particular shop," Jaxon says as a smile begins pulling on his lips, as he sees what this ring means to me. "They tend to carry unique things. And when I saw this… There really weren't any other considerations."

---