Supplement Scene 4: (Karsh proposes)

The Darkness had passed away from Coventry, and while it still loomed in the Shadows, a general peace was in the land.

Karsh had gotten his wish, and he restrained himself from triumphing about it while Ileana was around. Now that Queen Miranda knew her husband's most trusted advisers were alive and her daughters were safe, she called Karsh and Ileana home.

Being that everyone had believed that they had died 21 years ago, Miranda had no problem putting them up in the castle as their houses were no longer available.

A few days after the twin's birthday celebration, Karsh was knocking on Ileana's door as the clock ticked toward noon. She opened the heavy door and gazed out at him,

"Hey! How are you?"

"I'm good," Karsh rubbed the back of his neck, "I was wondering if you would meet me for lunch?"

"Sure," She grinned widely, "What time?"

"Noon, in the courtyard."

"I'll be there." The door was closed and Karsh snapped his fingers. He found himself in the kitchen. A few of the servants jumped at his arrival.

"Sir?" Asked a young warlock, "Can I make you something?"

"No, no," Karsh rubbed his hands together; "I think I can get it."

All of the servants huddled together and looked at each other with confusion. The warlock spoke again, "Can we help you to prepare anything?"

"No, I'm fine, if you could just all, let me work on this." He picked up a bottle and checked the label. The servants filed out of the kitchen, each throwing glances over their shoulder at the king's adviser.

In his own mind, Karsh was confused as well. Why had he sent the staff away when they could have created a meal better than anything he could? He supposed there was some need in him to impress Ileana. After all, he wanted to discuss what had happened between them in the Barnes' household before the Darkness took them. It seemed that this type of discussion required a bit of care put into every aspect of it.

He had half an hour to create a lunch, and it took him every last second of it. When the clock chimes for noon rang throughout the castle, Karsh snapped his fingers and tray in hand, appeared at the courtyard tables.

Ileana was already seated and she helped him with the drinks. He took the seat next to her and they proceeded to eat lunch.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Karsh took a drink and stared at his plate.

"About what?"

"What happened at Camryn's house the night of the party."

"Oh," She set down her spoon, "You mean when I kissed you."

"Yes."

"What exactly do you want to talk about?"

He looked at her, "Do you still want me?"

She looked a bit shocked, "What?"

"The last time we broke up, you told me that it would be the last time you'd ever kiss me. You said we'd broken up for good." He paused, "Then you kissed me again when you could've just hugged me or kissed me on the cheek."

"Karsh, I was worried that you were going to die. I didn't want to have any regrets."

"You regret that we broke up?"

"I don't know, I regret a lot of things when it comes to us."

He took a deep breath and she grabbed his hand, "The fights, none of the good stuff."

Karsh laced his fingers with hers and they stared at each other, each keeping a light pressure on their grip. He stroked the soft back of her hand with his thumb.

Ileana sighed, "I don't understand it. Why couldn't we make it work? We kept breaking up and getting back together and breaking up and getting back together."

"I don't know. I think we always assumed that we'd get back to Coventry and pick up our old lives."

"Maybe, although that's a little foolish." She pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, tilting her head coyly at him.

"Yeah." Karsh gave his acknowledgement, "Next to the twins, we were the only constant thing in each other lives."

Ileana smiled at him, "The only good true thing."

"It'd be a shame to give that up." Leaning over the table, Karsh used his free hand to cup her cheek. Slowly, tenderly, he guided her to him for a kiss, one that she eagerly accepted.

When they parted, Ileana sighed and leaned her forehead against his, "That was nice."

"Yeah." He played with a few loose strands of her hair, "I don't ever want to lose this."

"Me neither," She pulled back a little, "I want to get back together, but we have to be serious this time."

"I'm very serious."

"You are?"

"I went to see my mother the day after we got back."

Ileana raised her eyebrows, "I don't know where this is going."

"I hadn't seen my mother in 21 years, and every time she asked me something, all I could talk about was you. The things you said, what you did, the moment I realized I loved you."

The female guardian felt fit to melt, "I love you too."

"The point is, the last 21 years of my life have actually been the best years of my life. I was in exile, my king was dead, and the Darkness was a constant threat, but you being there made it possible for me to keep going. And even though we're back here now, I can never let you go."

Ileana drew in a breath, she looked close to tears.

Karsh got up from his chair and walked over to stand in front of her. Gazing up at him, she realized what was happening. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a gold ring. Taking her left hand in his, Karsh went down on one knee. His heart was beating fast as he knelt before his partner, his friend, and his lover.

"Ileana, will you marry me?"

Even though she'd known it was coming, her mouth still dropped open a bit and she was quiet for a moment as she stared into his questioning eyes. They were so hopeful and so loving that they struck her heart.

"Karsh, I love you," She paused, "And I would love to marry you."

Karsh jumped up and pulled her into his arms, holding her to him. He was nearly holding her off the ground he was so ecstatic. Slipping the ring onto her finger, he gave her a look that told her exactly what he wanted. Ileana couldn't help but succumb as he took her lips in a manner that made her knees tremble.

She couldn't wait to marry him.