Aria pov
"That I've been waiting." He took both my hands. "Waiting for the perfect moment. Waiting for everything to be settled. Waiting for—I don't know. Permission to be happy. But Aria, life doesn't wait. Marcus proved that. Vivian proved that. Any day could be our last, and I don't want to waste another second not being completely honest about what I want."
My heart was racing. "Damien"
"Let me finish." He smiled nervously. "We're engaged. Technically. Have been for a while now because but Aria, i don't want to wait until everything is perfect or all our enemies are dealt with or the stars align. I want" He slid off the couch, onto one knee, and pulled out a small box. "I want to marry you, for real this time. Not as strategy or protection or obligation. As partners, equals. As two people who love each other and want to build a life together."
