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Never understand the gnawing emptiness and unhappiness that ate at her day after day.

But she would be safe.

That was all that mattered, wasn’t it?

Julian.

His head snapped up at the sound of her voice. Leah lay unmoving in bed.

Julian.

There it was again.

Julian, where am I? Why can’t I open my eyes?

At the hint of panic in her tone, Julian reached for her hand and held it.

Hey, stay calm. You’re in the hospital. You just came out of surgery. They had to remove the C2 implant.

But why are my lids stuck?

I don’t know. Don’t strain yourself. I’m sure it’s fine.

Leah’s fingers twitched. Her eyelids twitched too, but nothing happened.

I can’t do it. Why can’t I do it?

Shhh, calm down.He brushed his hand over her forehead.Give it some time. You haven’t been out of surgery for more than thirty minutes.

Her eyelids stopped twitching. Julian felt her pout in his mind.Fine, but tell me, why’re you sad?

What do you mean?

Why’re you sad?Leah repeated.I felt your sadness. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.

I…He couldn’t tell her about what he’d been planning.I was worried you wouldn’t make it.

Liar. You were thinking about leaving me.

His eyes widened.How did you know?

I just do. Were you thinking about how I would be safe if you left me?

Her temper came through loud and clear. Julian smiled. It was just like her. Arguing with him even when she couldn’t open her eyes.

I thought we discussed this.Stern and angry.If you don’t want me, if you really think there is nothing between us, then leave right now and don’t come back, but don’t you dare use my safety as an excuse.

She was right. After everything they’d been through, she deserved his honesty and respect.

Julian lifted her hand and brushed his lips over her knuckles.

No more running. No more hesitating.

He still cursed Alistair for his meddling, but the Vampire King was right. He’d waited an eternity for this moment. For this woman.

I love you.

Those three words were insufficient to convey the feeling that permeated his being. All his fears and hopes and dreams for the future, the entirety of his existence, summed up in eight letters.