"You heard me, brat." he groused, the softness in his eyes growing as he reached up to catch her chin in his hand so she looked him dead in the eye. "Yes, I was testin' you, but I wanted you to pass. I needed to know you could look into the dark and not just stay, but ask for more. Yes, you got a dark side, but I had to be sure it was as deep as mine. Bedding Death is one thing, but to share your life with it, you gotta yearn for pain...and if Death is gonna give himself to a life mage, he's gotta know he can stop being afraid of the pain that comes from being dead and in love."

He paused, then reached out to the table that sat by the tub. Slipping his hand under the towels, he pulled out a small black jewelry box and snapped it open, revealing a simple antique silver band set with a single sparkling diamond.

"This was the same ring my daddy made for Momma when he asked for her hand." He explained. "I never did believe anyone could love the way my parents did, least of all me...but then I met you, then I met Cole. And he's the one that made me realize I could do this...that I wanted it. So I'm askin' you, Courtney Marteniz, if you'd do me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage." He paused, then flashed her another of his rare smiles.

"You brat." He added playfully.