She clasped her hands behind her back to hide their trembling. Her words tumbled out of her mouth in a breathless rush. “I’ve no wish to leave Ketach Tor again, Ballard. I want to be your wife and bear your children. Will you wed me?” The ensuing silence threatened to suffocate her. Louvaen clenched her teeth so hard her ears throbbed. Ballard stared at her for an additional century until a wide grin stretched across his face. “Queen uncrowned,” he said. “I thought you’d never ask.”
