Page 67 of Dark Shaman: Eternal Hope
After Lokan hung up, Kian returned to the window. The square was busier now, with more people arriving at the café, others heading toward their respective duties for the day. A regular Friday morning in their hidden sanctuary, peaceful and productive.
So why did he still feel like he was waiting for something to go wrong?
27
RUVON
As Ruvon strode along the path on his way to Arezoo's home, the box containing the ring felt much heavier in his pocket than it should, its outline too noticeable. He would have to keep his hand in the same pocket at all times to prevent Arezoo and her family from guessing what it was until he was ready to reveal its contents.
It reminded him of another evening just like this one and another jewelry box that had felt like a radioactive rock, even though it hadn't been an engagement ring or anything as presumptuous. That gift had led to a heart-to-heart conversation with Arezoo about their hopes and aspirations, which had in turn prompted him to level up his courtship. He intended to give Arezoo everything she desired, but to do so, their relationship had to become official, and her family needed to accept him.
The problem was that he wasn't sure whether he was supposed to give Arezoo the ring right after her mother gave them her blessing.
If Soraya gave it.
"Assume the win," he murmured. "She will approve."
Perhaps it would be better to propose to Arezoo on a separate occasion and then give her the ring? He would play it by ear, as the saying went. If it didn't feel right, he would just keep it in his pocket and wait for a better opportunity.
The problem was that he wasn't great at reading cues. He would probably mess it up and pull the ring out at the worst time.
As he stopped in front of Arezoo’s house, Ruvon looked at the ridiculously large bouquet of pink roses he was holding with one hand and the paper bag with three bottles of wine in the other. Would three be enough? Arezoo's family was large, but the kids didn't drink wine, so it should be okay.
"Are you planning to stand out here all night?" said a familiar voice from behind him.
Ruvon turned toward its owner, finding Max and Kyra walking toward him. He should have been aware of their approach, but he'd been too preoccupied to notice. Luckily, the village was safe, and he didn't need to fear an ambush.
"I'm gathering courage," he admitted.
Max clapped him on the shoulder. "You've been invited to a family dinner, not a match with a dragon."
Ruvon cocked a brow. "Are you sure about that?" He didn't want to say that facing Soraya felt very much like facing a dragon.
Kyra laughed. "At least Soraya doesn't breathe fire." She looked elegant in a deep blue dress that complemented her dark hair. Despite being the eldest of the sisters, her early transition into immortality made her appear the youngest, which was a little confusing. "Let's go in and not make everyone wait for us."
"We are early," Max pointed out. "There is no rush."
"There is no reason to stand out here either." She walked up to the front door and simply pushed it open without bothering to knock or ring the bell.
Max cast Ruvon a sidelong glance, shrugged, and followed in his mate's footsteps.
Fortunately, Soraya had not materialized at the doorway, so Ruvon felt a little less trepidation about walking in.
The living room of Arezoo's home had been transformed. The couch and chairs had been pushed against the wall to make room for the long dining table that was probably comprised of several smaller ones. Candles flickered along its center, interspersed with small vases of wildflowers. The entire family was there, from four-year-old Cyra to Soraya herself, who sat at the head of the table like a queen holding court.
Arezoo stood near the kitchen, helping her younger cousin with something, and when she looked up and saw him, her face lit up with a smile that made his chest swell with the first full breath in a while. She wore a green dress he'd never seen before, her dark hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders.
"Ruvon!" Several of the younger children called out his name, having gotten used to his presence over the past months. "What did you bring?"
"Flowers for the lady of the house and wine for everyone else who is over eighteen."
Their small faces fell.
"Nothing for us?" Rohan asked.
"Not today, but I promise to get you something the next time."
"I'll take these," Arezoo offered. "Although I don't know if we have a vase large enough to contain them."
