Derek and Sofia sat down on the sofa with Rose in between them and she began to recount everything we had just been through. Every now and then, she would glance at me for support, and I would fill in details where she wanted me to. About halfway through, Ibrahim stood up.

“I need to go see Corrine.”

Corrine. All throughout our journey back from California, as I had traveled with Rose’s warm body pressed against mine, I had been thinking about how I needed to pay a visit to the witch. With Rose occupied here with her parents, I realized that this would be the perfect time. I stood up and motioned to follow the warlock. Rose looked up at me questioningly.

“I will see you in a bit, Rose. I’m stepping outside for some fresh air.”

She nodded, before continuing to recount our story.

I caught up with Ibrahim on the balcony before he could vanish.

“I would like to have a word with your wife,” I said.

“Uh, okay. Come with me then.” He placed an arm on my shoulder and vanished us both to the Sanctuary. My breathing quickened as I followed Ibrahim in through the door, and I realized that my hands were shaking slightly.

“Corrine!” Ibrahim called along the corridor.

“Ibrahim?” Corrine’s voice emanated from a room nearby. She raced out from a door and ran along the corridor, hurling herself at Ibrahim. Their lips locked in a passionate embrace. I looked down at the floor, taking a few steps back as they finished greeting each other.

“You must tell me everything,” she said.

“And you must tell me,” Ibrahim replied. “But Caleb here wants to speak to you about something first.”

I raised my eyes to the witch. “I’m sorry to disturb you.”

“That’s quite all right,” Corrine said, curiosity in her eyes.

Ibrahim continued along the corridor while Corrine gestured to a room to my right. A living room. I took a seat in an armchair while Corrine sat opposite me. But as soon as my backside touched the cushion, I realized that it was foolish thinking that I could remain seated for this conversation. I stood up and walked over to the mantelpiece, running a finger along the wood. I turned around slowly and fixed my eyes on Corrine.

My chest felt tight.

Just spit it out.

“I wanted to ask you… how might a man procure a ring on this island?”

Corrine’s face lit up as soon as the words left my mouth. She leapt to her feet and hugged me.

“An engagement ring?” she asked, squeezing my shoulders.

I nodded.

“Do Derek and Sofia know yet?”

“I spoke with her father.”

“Oh, goodness. My Rose, getting married… That girl is going to be over the moon.” She sat back down in her chair and, reaching toward the coffee table in the center of the room, picked up a notepad and a pencil. “Do you have any ideas about how you’d like the ring to look? Any colors, shapes or stones in mind?”

In truth, I hadn’t thought about such details. I sat down opposite Corrine. “I am not a jewelry designer. But I want something… bold for Rose.”

Corrine smirked. “Let me see what I can do.”

She sketched away on her pad for the next five minutes. I waited patiently, watching her design take shape. She lifted up her notepad, showing me the final result.

“Yes,” I said instantly. “That’s the ring for my girl. How long will it take you to make?”

“Well, when are you planning to propose?”

I paused, unsure of how to answer. The witch saw through my silence. “Let me just work on this now so you have it. It won’t take me too long. My discussion with Ibrahim can wait…”

“Thank you.”

She left the room, leaving me alone. I stood up again and began pacing.

Although there was no doubt in my mind that Rose loved me, and the fact that her parents had not objected was a weight off my shoulders, somehow I couldn’t keep my stomach from clenching at the thought of proposing to her. A nagging voice at the back of my head kept telling me that it was too soon. That I ought to wait longer. That she was still so young. Girls of this day and age typically waited much longer before tying the knot than girls of my time.

Yet amid all these doubts was a determination I could not shake: I wanted to make her fully mine, and I didn’t want to wait any longer to do it.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I almost didn’t notice Corrine enter the room half an hour later. She was carrying a gray silk pouch in her hands. As she approached me, she placed it in my palm. I opened up the pouch and pulled out the ring—far more stunning than her sketch of it. Made of what appeared to be pure silver, it was encrusted with a gorgeous red ruby. I could already picture how beautiful Rose’s hand would look with this adorning it.

“Thank you,” I said again.

There were tears in the witch’s eyes as she smiled. “It’s my absolute pleasure… There is one thing that I simply must ask before you leave though.” Her eyes roamed my body from head to toe. “Were you planning to look like that when you ask her?”

Chapter 36: Rose

After I finished telling my parents and everyone else in the room what had happened to us while we were away, it was my parents’ turn. They recounted their trip to North and South America, ending with their encounter with a hunter.

Silence filled the room as we finished talking.

“Mona… Has there been any update from her?” I asked.