Nathan was preparing for what would be a very busy day he was sure-- every day was busy. The High Priest Chaos had agreed to go to Windfall with him in the morning. Lady Carmichael had asked to speak to someone associated with Hades. Though he was evil it was true death served a purpose in the Great Father's kingdom and there was an appropriate time and place for it.
Dealing with the priest of death was a very small thing compared to what else he must do. Lana had reached a stalemate with the Morgan's group. They had been studying the golemns guarding the first emperor of Talyun and how the seemed to animate on command. They had made good progress but the golemns were too dangerous to study without risk of being overpowered. Until he could think of something else he'd make sure Lana stayed with Lady Carmichael. There was reports of golemns on Windfall as well. He felt Lana who was maybe the world's best expert on golemn magic at this point, would be a good addition and keep Lady Carmichael on task.
But all that meant he had to face Lana. He did not think he was afraid of anything. He thought back on how despite how they felt for eachother they could never be together. He realized the reason they were not together now was because he pushed her away. He knew he did it for a good reason but it still hurt. She did not trust him and worked to even contradict what he was trying to do. He could not share everything with someone who would possibly fight against him. He realized his thoughts had turned to tears and Lana came into the room.
Nathan wiped the tears from his face and said, "Thinking about us is all."
"Don’t be ashamed to cry, Let me help you through, because I’ve seen the dark side too. I've thought a lot about us too. I realize that I love you and was wrong to doubt you whatever my reasons." She took Nathan's hand and said clearly staring into his eyes, "From now on, I’ll stand by you."
Nathan took a step back, like a charging knight she forced the conversation he had hoped to avoid. How could she say this? This was after she so soon before had doubted his integrity and left him when he could have most used her on his side.
She broke the silence and looking to the floor said, "So if you’re mad... get mad. Its ok. Don’t hold it all inside. Please talk to me now, Hey, what you got to hide? I got angry too and I was wrong. I'm so sorry I thought you chose Tatyana over me, I'm sorry I wouldn't help you save them, I'm sorry that it was my doubt that ensured she died even after you had saved her. All you needed was someone to believe in you, someone to be safe with when everyone else would just use you, and I took that way. I can never tell you how sorry I am."
Nathan exhaled deeply and gazed upon Lana. He had to face the truth and let it set him free, "Well I’m a lot like you, I got mad and felt betrayed when all you were doing was trying to help me. But, I just..."
The seeker of truth was actually lost for words. Lana capitalized and placed her hand on his face and said, "You have to understand, from here until forever I am on your side. Wherever you are going or whatever you are doing let me come along, because even if you’re wrong I’ll stand by you." She knelt to one knee and produced a simple gold band she had got from her late father. "I'll stand with you forever, I won't let anyone hurt you and if they do, please take me into even your darkest hour and I will never desert you, you will never be on your own." Slipping the ring on his finger she continues, "I'll stand by you if you will stand by me. Marry me Nathan."
Tears again came to his soft face but they could not be held back. He knelt down in front of her and removed a fine jade ring he had found in the first Emperor's tomb just earlier that day and placed it on her finger. Then he said, "I'll stand by you, and won't ever let anyone hurt you. I'm done being away from you. Yes - lets be married. I love you Lana."
