“Perfect,” she whispered as he slid the ring onto her finger.

“The atmosphere? The praise? The lack of blood and evil villains?”

She rose to kiss him. “Everything,” she said against his lips. “But most of all you.”

“How long can we stay here?” she asked as they walked back down to the beach.

“As long as you need.”

She looked out at the waves kissing the sand. The light was fading fast now, but the enchanted ring, still warm with his magic, lit the way. She threw a glance back over her shoulder, smirking.

“My wounds have healed. I think I’m ready for that swim now.”

Kai watched her slip out of her thin clothes. She could feel his magic shift, his rising desire crackling against her own. She stepped up to him, her feet tapping the wet sand. The water spilled over her skin with salt-tipped kisses. His eyes pulsed brighter, his magic surged higher, as she slowly removed his clothes. Then she led him into the water, moving deeper. The ocean slid over them like warm honey, swirling, swishing.

“That was one fine speech,” she said as she released her hair. It flowed around her, floating on the surface.

“Well if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it all the way.”

She draped her arms over his shoulders, pulling him against her. “I couldn’t agree more.”

He kissed her, and as their bodies and magic merged, she was filled with a magic that endured. The magic of love. It made her stronger. And though she knew that there would always be more battles to face, more enemies, they would face it all together. Now and forever.