Wahrheit und Konsequenzen-(Invite)

[Leonie von der Marck]

The Lioness stood the moment the pair of them arrived, at last. Though she adored spending time with Alaric whenever the opportunity presented itself, and serenity was more than evident in manner and posture, she had been practically humming with excited nerves beneath the surface for the entire wait. She gave Birdee a quick peck on the cheek in greeting before she moved to Lou’s side with an answering smile, where he stood before their Patriarch. The excitement couldn’t be contained as his arm slid around her waist and he drew her closer, probably more than giving the secret away, but she somehow managed to refrain from the childish bounce that wanted to make itself known in her step.

She held back the desire to interject, to voice her agreement and her sentiments to do the same by him, but before she would have even been able to find words, they were cut off by the feel of something cool sliding over her finger. Her jaw almost dropped but she somehow managed to keep it to a shocked expression as she looked down to take in the beautiful piece of jewelry that bore the same sort of craftwork as the sapphire ring that graced her right hand. “You didn’t,” she whispered, looking up at him with elation at the completely unexpected gift, which, the more she looked at it between glances at him, at Alaric, and at Birdee, she realized was made up of so much more than precious metal and stones. Mara’s band made up the base of the ring and that knowledge was more than enough to bring happy, uncharacteristic tears to her eyes, already understanding the meaning behind such a thing – their promise to do better, in all ways, by each other and what children might come, than what they had grown up with. The Lioness had been more than happy to make the meaningful sapphire ring the outward sign of their engagement, but this was so much more beautiful a gesture.

Leonie pressed a soft kiss to his cheek as they awaited Alaric’s response. She would thank Lou soon enough; for the time being, the elder’s hoped-for blessing was the more pressing event and all the blond demigod at her side would have to do was look at her to see how touched she was, without her needing to speak a word just yet.