~Azaria~
Later that night, as the celebrations continued and the bonfire roared on, Alaric leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. "Remember my promise?" he whispered, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
I smiled, feeling a thrill of excitement. "How could I forget?"
"Come with me," he said, taking my hand and leading me away from the gathering. We slipped through the shadows, moving silently so as not to attract attention. The sounds of laughter and celebration faded behind us as we made our way to a secluded part of the forest.
After a short walk, we arrived at a small clearing. In the center was a blanket spread out on the ground, surrounded by lanterns that cast a soft, warm glow. A basket sat nearby, filled with my favorite treats and a bottle of wine.
"Alaric, this is amazing," I said, my heart swelling with love and gratitude.
