" Ruby,” Kai said in a strained voice that was a far cry from his usual lackadaisical tones, “I know I am far from worthy of you, but would you do me the great honor of consenting to be my wife?”

If the sky had rained fire, I would have been less shocked.

I turned to stone. At least, that’s what it felt like. I didn’t move, didn’t breathe, didn’t even blink for what felt like a full minute. Then Kai lifted a brow and the air rushed back into my lungs.

“You’re not serious” was all I could manage.

He produced a winning, though forced, smile. “I assure you, the queen—that is, I—am quite serious. I’m asking for your hand in marriage.”

“To…you,” I said with heavy emphasis.
“Yes, that is why I am the one asking.” Despite his blinding display of teeth, he spoke as if his jaw was too rigid to form words properly.
“To me.” I said it carefully, as if testing out new words in a foreign language.
“Which is why it is your hand I’m asking for. "

― Elly Blake , Fireblood (Frostblood Saga, #2)