Page 263 of Emylia

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep it,” I mumbled, the words slicing through my ribs.

His sapphire gaze snapped to mine, blazing. “How could you think I wouldn’t want something from you?”

I shrugged, trying to play it like it was nothing, but in fact his hesitation was making me crumble. “I don't know. You were hesitating. I thought maybe you didn’t want to hurt my feelings, if you didn’t like it.”

He leaned in, nose nearly brushing mine. "I’m hesitating because everything about you wrecks me. I know once I open this, I won’t be the same. I’m supposed to be the strong one, but you make me vulnerable."

“Maalik… I didn’t mean?—”

“Don’t you dare apologize.” He kissed me like the sky was falling. “Now. Let’s end your torture.”

He opened the box. For a breathless moment, he just stared. Then, delicately, he lifted the ring. Its dark metal gleamed against his skin, the ruby nestled in its center catching the light like living flame.

“Is this...?”

I nodded. “The ruby from my bracelet. Well, half of it.”

It burned in the sunlight, bold and beautiful.

“I can’t accept this. That bracelet was a gift from your parents. I could’ve fixed it.”

“It would never be the same. The chain was destroyed. But this—this is a new legacy. One that belongs to us. You have my heart, Maalik. I wanted you to have something to symbolize just how deep that love runs.”

His mouth met mine in a kiss that was more emotion than action. When words failed him, he clung to the only language he knew—me. Then he pulled back, resting his forehead to mine.

“Son of a bitch.”

“What?”

Instead of answering, Maalikai rummaged through his bag. When he turned, his hands were cupped tightly together, hiding something.

“Maalik?”

He grinned. “I took advantage of your day with Sebastian yesterday."

My eyes stole his. "What do you mean?"

He took my hand, slowly uncurling his fingers to reveal a lilac shell—iridescent and glistening like a secret.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed. “Where did you find it?”

“When I was a boy. In Opalcrest Cove, with my uncle.” He pressed the shell into my palm. “Open it.”

I looked closer. It was two shells, fused at the base like a locket. When I gently pried them apart, the interior shimmered with pink and violet. Opened fully, it formed the wings of a butterfly.

Nestled in the center was a ring. Not just any ring. The gold band was smooth, simple. But the stone—it stole the air from my lungs. Ocean hues of turquoise, deep sea green, and pale storm blue swirled within an uneven sliver of raw opal.

“Maalik, this is beautiful?—”

“It belonged to my mother,” he said softly. “The only thing of hers I ever had.”

Recognition dawned. “From your necklace?”

He nodded. “Maalik, I can’t—” He dropped to one knee. “When I saw your uncle, I asked for his blessing.”

I froze. “His blessing for what?”

He took my hand, voice steady and full.

---