Page 63 of Dark Desire

“Okay, I think they’ll be here a while. So let’s go party! And raise a glass to our newlyweds and me not shitting myself.Ziveli!” Leif shouted, walking around us. He leaned into my ear as he walked past. “Yes, I did learn Serbian for you. That’s how much I love your grumpy ass.”

I laughed into our kiss, unable to help myself.

The next hour was spent properly introducing Darcie to everyone, toasting to our marriage with rakija, and dancing the kolo, which was surprisingly enjoyable. It had been the happiest I had been. And I could feel them. My parents. In the breeze. In the trees. In the soil beneath my feet. They were here with us. They were at peace, knowing their children were finally free and happy. Loved.

When the sun started to rise, everyone left, and I led Darcie into the ruins of the cottage where I had set up a floor bed with more rakija, bread, cheese and sarma. We made love with a gorgeous sunrise backdrop and as she lay on my chest, staring at her gold ring and giggling, I had never felt more content.

“This place is so special,” she whispered, glancing around at our surroundings. “I can feel how much love it once held. I hate that it was destroyed.”

“It still holds a lot of love,” I replied. She turned to face me, leaning her chin on my chest. “And it could continue to. If we rebuild it.”

Her beautiful eyes widened. “You mean for us? As our home?”

“If you would like it to be,” I answered, hoping she would be on board. I’d always planned on rebuilding it, but I was never sure if I’d live here again. It would have been too lonely by myself, but with her, it felt perfect. But I would understand if she didn’t want to. I’d let it go if I must.

“Oh my gods! Zoran. Yes,” she squealed. “We should!”

I beamed at her. “Are you sure?”

“This place is us,” she answered with tears in her eyes. “It’s you. It’s your parents. It’s home. I’ve never felt like I had a home. But this place…it already feels like home.”

I kissed her, pulling her onto me. She straddled my waist and sat up, her beautiful naked body glistening in the sun.

“That was the best night of my life,” she breathed, staring up at the brightening sky through the barren structure of timbers that used to hold up the cottage roof.

“And mine.”

She lowered her head and placed her hand over my heart, feeling its steady, calm beat. “But I think I can still make it even better.”

I brushed her thick curls away from her face and smiled at her as I let Ambroz share control with me like I had during our wedding ceremony.

“I, Darcelle Nezera,” she beamed like a flower blossoming as she said her name. “Give my soul to you, Zoran Ambroz Nezera. Forever yours, forever more, in life and death.”

A warm glow travelled through my veins, filling my soul with light and love. The darkness withdrew, and my world became brighter.

I’d found my place. It was always with her. She was my new home.