Mark of the Fool

Chapter 607: A Simple Proposal

What does forever mean to you, Theresa? Alex Roth asked Theresa Lu as they floated away, hovering above sand and crashing surf.

Thats a strange question. The huntress said, cocking her head to the right, while pulling her raven hair back as it tumbled down her shoulder. What does it mean to you?

They flew higher, the scent of brine wafting in the breeze. Below them, Brutus picked up where hed left off, chasing screeching gulls along the shoreline, blissfully unaware of life-changing events unfolding above.

I asked you first, Alex smiled, still holding Theresas hand, taking her higher. No fair, you cant answer a question with a question.

Baelin does.

Baelin can, hes a super ancient wizard.

Theresa chuckled, glancing across the sea. The sun lit up the distant water, lighting the surface like a thousand torches were floating beneath the waves. She smiled contentedly. Well then, I guess Id have to say it means being able to see and experience thingsfor all time. Or whatever all time means to us.

When the couple stopped their ascent, they were high enough that the gazebo looked like a large dollhouse, and Brutus a three-headed squirrel snapping at giant flying ants far below them.

I think well die one day, she said, though her voice wasnt grim. Or at least I will. Life enforcement extends life, but only for so long. Even if my body looks strong, my internal energies will diminish one day, according to Professor Kabbot-Xin. So even if I look like Im thirty when I reach a thousand, I wont feel anywhere near that young, and in time, my life energies will shrink away until I pass on.

She sighed wistfully. Thats the way It happened for great-grandfather, and Im sure itll be the same for me. Maybe your magic can let us live longer, but A frown took her face. The thought of my parents never seeing my face in the after-worldor my brothersmakes me feel a bit lonely. I dont think I could be like Baelin and stay in this world forev She paused. For all eternity.

Theres a difference? Alex asked softly, thinking about her words. They were true: if he decided that immortality was what he wantedlike Baelin seemed to have chosenthat would mean hed never see his parents again, or meet Hannah in the afterworld. Anyone he cared about who didnt want a life that lasted forever, would die long before him. And, if he chose to live for all eternitythats if he even couldhed never be with them, never see them, again.

The thoughtmade him feel lonely too.

It suddenly dawned on him why Baelin seemed so melancholy at times.

There is a difference, if I think about it, she said. When I first started life enforcement, I remember thinking that it was like finding a new forest to explore. When I was younger, the Coille seemed endlessbut one day, I suddenly found Id explored almost all of it. Life enforcement also felt endless in the beginning. But its not. One day Ill stop increasing the power of my lifeforce and Ill hit a wall, and thatll be as far as I can go. Itll be the end, she slowly breathed in. But I believe that there are certain things that are truly eternal.

She looked into the sky. Time, maybe. Some deities might be. Demons, engeli, other spirits all live for eternitybut thats different from what forever means to me. Eternity will go on after Im gone. Maybe forever means She paused again. I guess it means for the rest of my life. Like if I decided to explore the world foreveritd be until I got too sick or old to do it anymore. Thats what my personal forever is.

Alex smiled at that. Theres a bit of philosophy in thinking that way. A bit of romance too, I think.

Really? she laughed at herself. I dont know, now that Ive said all that, it feels a bit silly. Like, I bet if you told any of your fancy professors what I just said, theyd just laugh at me.

No, I dont think so, Alex said. I dont think Baelin would, andyou know what? I think I agree with you. Eternity means all time but my forever means for as long as I stay in this world. That fits, somehow. It really does.

She looked at him sidelong, her hand squeezing his. Youre not making fun of me, are you? she asked quietly.

No, of course not! he cried. I wouldnt. Not for something like this. I just agree with you.

Oh. She blushed, looking away.

For a time, they floated there in the sky, surrounded by a warm wind and the scent of the sea. Brutus barked below. Waves crashed. The sun was warm.

It was perfect.

It couldnt get any more perfect.

And Alex couldnt let this moment pass.

He took a deep breath to steady his pounding heart and the blood rushing through his ears. Theresa

He paused.

Yes? she answered, still looking across the Prinean.

If I asked you to be mine foreverwhat would you say? his voice hovered just above a whisper. Iin return, I would be yours. Forever. For all eternity if thats how long I live.

Silence.

The breath after hed said those words felt like an eon passing over the world. All seemed to slow to a crawl as sound fell away like the world was disappearing around him. There was no ground. No clouds. No sky.

Only sun.

His breath.

And her.

Time stopped until finally, she turned to him. Never had he seen her so quiet. Cloaked in utter stillness. Her eyes were wide and shining. Her face glowed.

Her free hand slipped across her mouth. The other one never let go of his. What do you mean? she whispered.

In mid-air, Alex Roth dropped to one knee.

Theresa Lu gasped.

Theresa, whether its for my forever or all eternity, theres no one Id rather spend the rest of my life with than you. His green eyes locked on her brown ones. No matter where we are, or even when we are. What we face, or who we face, I want you to be there. Even if we have to part physically, I want us to always be together. If I live as long as Baelin, I want you by my side in one, or even fifty millennia from now.

He stood and wrapped both arms around her. The world might be different. The universe might be differentbut even if it is, I want us to be the sameto each other. No matter what changes, I just want one thing: for us to be husband and wife.

He took her hands in his. I want you to share my life with meto marry me, Theresa. I think Ive always known that.

Silence washed over the beach like fresh rain.

And Alex looked into Theresas eyes; not daring to look away lest he catch sight of her body language. He didnt want to see a no reflected in her mannerisms, or the way she held her body, he didnt think he could take it.

He didnt want to know.

Not that way. Whether she told him yes or no, he had to hear the words come from her mouth.

He stood before her as her expression crumbled, emotion claiming her face, her lip quivered as her eyes held his. Tears came next, silently running down her cheeks as the salt air blew them away.

Her voice caught.

Then she was a blur.

And in his arms, kissing him, whispering. Yes, yes, Ill marry you! Finally! Then she started giggling. You remember the first time you told me you loved me? We were at Isoldes cousins ball, remember? Well, your proposal might be just a teeny bit more romantic than that was! She squeezed her thumb and index finger together, giggling and crying at the same time.

In Alexs state of mind, all he could do was laugh helplessly.

She said, yes!

He could hardly believe it.

He was as giddy as a small child whod been spinning like a top, and couldnt stop laughing.

You had to bring that up, didnt you? He hugged her fiercely. You know you just ruined the moment, right? What the hells wrong with you?

And they kept laughing and kissing and holding each other in the sky.

until a cold wetness slapped them across their faces.

Gah! Alex cried, coming face to face with Brutus as the cerberus floated beside them, whining and staring at them worriedly from three sets of eyes.

Brutuuuus! Theresa laughed. Come on boy, dont worry, mommy and daddy are okay. These are happy tears. The happiest tears!

She kissed one of the giant pups cheeks.

The stupidly happiest, Alex was ready to burst, laughing with joy and patting Brutus on a head that kept swivelling back and forth from Theresa to him, and back again. A grin spread across the young wizards face. Actually, Brutus, your timings kinda perfect. Youre right in time for Theresas engagement present.

Alex beamed at the two of them, chuckling as the huntress and hound tilted four heads in total at him.

What present? she asked.

Thats ridiculously cute, he whispered, tilting his head in turn.

She blushed. Stop it. Now whats this about a gift?

Its important, Alex beamed. Very important and I think youre going to love it.

What? Alex, I dont need a gift. Youre the gift. She hugged him tighter.

Trust me, when you see the gift, youll change your mind. He pat Brutus on his centre head. Stay here.

With a pulse of the Travellers power, he teleported to the gazebo, picked up the picnic basket and teleported back beside Theresa and Brutus. I packed a bit more than food.

Looking like his hands were trembling, he took a leather bound booklet from the basket, and handed it to Theresa. Go on, open it. I didnt want to give it to you earlier and have you start thinking that I was trying to bribe you into accepting my proposal.

Alex, I would never have said no, she said, opening the book. What is this? A book on travel or some Her eyes grew wide, turning to Alex. What is this?

Written at the top of the very first page were the words: Operation Brutus Forever.

Below them was a neat, detailed diagram, showing all the paths of life force that ran through the cerberus, including pressure points where energy would flow in and outif the right rituals were applied.

Turn the page, Alex encouraged her excitedly.

Okay she said, slowly turning the page then gasping. Is this me?

On the second page was an incomplete diagram of Theresa: and sketched within her silhouette, were a series of life pathways as they appeared in most humans that hed drawn in graphite which could be erased asneeded.

It's getting there, Alex said. I couldnt study you without making you suspicious, so the diagram is only temporary: we can finish the real one with a bit of an examination later. Butturn to the next page.

She flipped the page. Her jaw fell open.

There were two diagrams: one of Brutus and one of her, as well as a pathway of lifeforce linking the two of them together. Below them, hed written instructions and a list of ingredients.

Remember last year when you and I talked about something called a blood familiar? He asked. Remember it meant making a familiar through blood magic? he continued. Which means we would basically set up a deep blood connection between you and Brutus, binding your lifeforces together. His lifeforce would flow through you, and yours through him: in other words, that meansif you die, hell die. And if he dies, then itll greatly damage your lifeforce. In return, though He paused. Your lifeforces will resonate together, andbecause hes a beast, and a lot closer to nature than we sapient mortalsyour reinforced life energy will flow into him, reinforcing his.

Her eyes grew wide. You mean? Brutus will live as long as I will?

He absolutely will, Alex said, petting the hounds head once more.

And! And! Hell be a lot stronger, faster and healthier. His skin will get tougher andheck, there might be additional mutations as your nature-empowered lifeforce interacts with his bestial nature. Kinda like He paused. ...its a littlelike golem evolution, but a lot less drastic. My point is, the transformation might have additional pluses for good ol Brutus here. And uhI know some men give their wives jewellery, houses, horses and stuff like that for engagement or anniversary gifts. But, this felt right.

He smiled warmly. If you want, Brutus will be part of our forever too. As long as you live.

Aleeeex! Theresa screamed, jumping on him and hugging him so hard that his spine cracked dangerously. You are the most thoughtful, amazing boyfrieNo, the most thoughtful, amazing fiance in the world! Do you hear me?

She threw her head back. Im the luckiest woman in the world!

Her voice boomed across the ocean, echoing through campus.

Now that? That was the most beautiful sound hed ever heard.

Can we start right away? she asked him excitedly. Id love to get started right now.

Yeah, he said. Ill just need to examine your life force through blood magicand then we can finish lunch, go back home and do the ritual.

This is the best day of my life! Theresa cried.

Brutus cocked his heads, then gave them both a thick, sloppy lick.

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