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“Tell me what?”

He hesitated, suddenly worried she might reject him. What if she was actually content with only seeing him so sporadically? What if she didn’t want him to be in her everyday life?

“I might have found a way to change rank,” he admitted quietly. “If I can change my role in Hell, I would have more power and freedom to choose things for myself. I could have more time for you, and actually plan when I will come to this world.”

The minute he finished talking, Naomi beamed with excitement and all his doubts disappeared.

“That’s possible?”

“It seems like it, but it’s going to be a hard and long process.”

Her smile wobbled a little. “How long?”

“I don’t know a specific timeline, because not many have succeeded in doing this, but it will take years.”

Kilean hated seeing that sad look on her face, even more when he was the reason for it. But he truly hoped that with this, the sadness would only be temporary. If he could succeed, he would be able to truly focus on her and do everything in his power to make her the happiest woman.

“Would we not be able to see each other while you try for this?”

“I should be able to still come by, but it still might not be every year.”

“So he’s the reason you keep coming back here in December?” Hayley asked, interrupting the moment.

“We made a pact,” Naomi told her. “He comes when he’s able, and I’m always here to wait for him.”

Hayley glared at him. “You’re making her wait for you?”

Her eyes and tone were fierce, doing exactly what she was trying to achieve: making him feel ashamed.

“Hayley,” Naomi warned. “I’m the one that wanted to do this. Don’t take it out on him.”

Hayley raised her hand in surrender. “My bad, continue talking.”

Kilean sensed sarcasm in her tone, but Naomi seemed to purposely ignore it.

“It will be difficult, and dangerous, and it will take a long time. But if you also want it, I’d do it,” he said. “I hate to ask you to wait for me, to waste your time for this. I can’t promise that I’ll succeed, either, but if I do, I will make sure you’ll never have to wait again.”

Naomi reached out, taking his face in her hands.

“I want you to do it, but for yourself. You should do it because you deserve the freedom to choose your own life. Especially after all the years you spent doing what they wanted, don’t you want to do things at your own pace?”

“I do.”

He was old, and tired. Being able to control his own life—outside of his routines, too—was a desire that grew every day.

“It’s a risk for yourself, too,” Naomi continued. “But if you feel ready to take on the task, I’ll wait for you. I’ll be here to support you in the little ways I can.”

Her mere presence did so much more than she could ever imagine. Even just the thought of her was so powerful to keep him going.

His initial worry was gone now, and while a part of him wasn’t ecstatic about changing everything he knew, it helped his resolve knowing that he was doing it for her and that Naomi supported him. She believed in him and would be waiting for him, so he couldn’t fail, no matter what.

“You two are really close, aren’t you?” Hayley asked, curious eyes traveling back and forth between them.

“We are,” Naomi confirmed, squeezing his cheeks a little.

His chest filled with warmth as he took one of her hands, intertwining their fingers together.

“How long can you stay this time?” Naomi asked.