Page 21

twenty-one

I was trapped in a darkness so thick it felt like a physical presence. The air pressed against me, heavy with an oppressive silence that made my hair stand on end. I knew I was back in the farmhouse, but something was deeply, unsettlingly wrong. The shadows seethed and twisted around me, almost alive.

As I moved through the house, my footsteps echoed, the sound amplifying the vulnerability coursing through me. “Reggie?” I called out, my voice trembling. “ Are you here?”

The whispers began softly, like the faint rustle of leaves. But they grew louder, insistent, until they seemed to surround me, bouncing off the walls and ceiling. I spun around, desperate to find their source, but there was none.

Then, Reggie appeared. His face flickered in and out of focus, like a candle flame caught in the wind. His eyes were black voids, unblinking and brimming with rage, fixed on me with an intensity that made my stomach lurch. His mouth twisted into a grotesque snarl, lips curling back to reveal teeth that grew sharper, more menacing, with every passing second.

But it was his silence that chilled me the most. No words, no threats, just that cold, calculating stare that pierced through me as if he could see straight into my soul. I tried to scream, but my voice stuck in my throat, suffocated by fear.

I jerked awake, gasping for air, my chest heaving as my heart pounded wildly. It took minutes to calm my breath, to shake the lingering terror from my mind. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand: 2:00 AM.

The room felt stifling, the darkness heavy. I threw off the covers, my feet landing softly on the cool wooden floor as I crossed the hall. The floorboards creaked under my steps as I reached Zeke’s door. I hesitated, then knocked lightly. When there was no response, I slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open .

“Bryn?” Zeke’s voice was low and husky with sleep. He propped himself up, blinking as he tried to adjust to the dim light.

“I had a nightmare.” Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I instantly regretted barging into his room in the middle of the night. “Sorry,” I mumbled, stepping back as I began to close the door.

“Wait,” he breathed, the word a quiet command. He scooted over, lifting the covers in a silent invitation.

Relief flooded me as I stepped inside, quietly shutting the door behind me. I slipped under the blankets beside him, the heat of his body and the comforting softness of the bed making me feel safer than I had in hours.

“What was the dream?” he asked, his gentle inflection enveloping me like a warm blanket.

“Reggie…” I whispered, the memory clawing at the edges of my mind. “He was so…angry.” The words trembled on my tongue as I recalled the intensity of his emotions.

Zeke wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “You’re safe,” he murmured. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

I nodded, the tight knot of fear coiled beneath my collarbone loosening slightly. Resting my head against his chest, I listened to the steady thrum of his heartbeat, letting its calmness seep into me. His arms held me securely, a barrier against the nightmares, and slowly, sleep claimed me again.

The next morning, I woke to an empty room. Zeke must have left already. I slipped into a pair of his oversized sweatpants, which swallowed me whole, and made my way downstairs. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cereal filled the air, and my stomach responded with a loud growl.

Izzy was already up, eating a bowl of Fruit Loops. “Hey, Bryn!” he greeted me, flashing a bright, infectious smile. “Want some?”

“Sure!” I smiled back and poured myself a bowl, the colorful cereal tumbling in with a satisfying rustle before I added the milk.

As we ate, Izzy paused, studying me thoughtfully between bites. “So, how are you handling everything?” His concern was obvious.

I shrugged, a knot of uncertainty wrapped around my middle. “The best I can, I guess.”

He nodded sympathetically. “Well, if you ever want to know anything, anything that might jog your memories, just ask. I’m an open book.”

I paused, considering his offer. “Hmm…” I tapped my chin. “Are there any other long-lost siblings going to pop up? ”

“Nope, just me,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “The world could barely handle two, let alone a third,” he added, flashing a wink.

I thought about it for a moment. He wasn’t wrong. “True,” I said, the laugh slipping out before I could stop it.

But as the laughter faded, curiosity tugged at me, though I kept it hidden behind a casual tone. “What about me?” I asked, the hesitation barely there, but still enough to make my voice catch. “Do I have any siblings? What are my parents like?”

The question surprised even me. I realized I’d avoided asking Zeke about this, maybe because I was afraid of the answers. Afraid of the pain they might uncover, the life that had gone on without me.

Izzy’s expression faltered, his breath pausing for a moment. A shadow passed over his features, dimming his easy smile. He set his spoon down and looked at me, his eyes thoughtful, as if weighing each word before he spoke.

“You’re the last witch of the Vespera line,” he said calmly. “No siblings. You’re the sole heir to the Vespera legacy.”

Vespera. The name stirred something inside me, familiar yet distant. I’d always thought my name was Brynlynn James, Reggie’s last name. But I’d never been married to him, so that couldn’ t be my true name.

The gravity of his words settled in, and I noticed his gaze drifting, the space between us stretching. His voice dropped, tinged with sorrow. “Your parents…they were ripped away from you when you were just a child. Murdered for power.”

He exhaled, his fingers curling into fists, bracing himself. “It wasn’t just one enemy, it was a group. They were like the Shadowweavers, but weaker, less experienced, less trained. They had no real power, and they knew it. That’s why they wanted yours. That’s why they came for you.” His jaw tightened. “They believed that if they could take it through dark magic, through blood, they could become something more. Stronger. Respected. Feared.”

A chill ran through me, my stomach twisting. “They came for me ?”

Izzy nodded. “You were their true target. But your parents got in the way.” His voice turned icy, words like knives. “They knew they wouldn’t survive, but they didn’t hesitate. They gave everything to make sure you escaped.” A shadow crossed his face, his features hardening into a mask of barely contained fury. “They used dark magic, of course, something twisted and unnatural. Your parents never stood a chance.”

His posture eased, the weight of his words seeming to drain from him. His expression softened, a hint of pride entering his eyes. “But you made it out somehow,” he said, quiet admiration in his voice. “You’ve always been a fighter. ”

A lump rose in my throat, and my words caught. “But...why?”

He studied me, his gaze tracing the lines of my face, searching for something, perhaps a crack in my defenses. “Because you...” He paused, his voice faltering. “You were born with a power no one in your bloodline has ever known. You’re the perfect warrior. What you can do with just your mind...” He shook his head, awe lacing his words. “And your healing abilities...You’re nearly untouchable, indestructible in ways your enemies both fear and envy.”

He huffed a quiet laugh, eyes crinkling. “Honestly, you’re kind of terrifying.”

Terrifying .

It didn’t fit. His words conjured an image of someone invincible, and I felt a tremor coil in my chest as I tried to process it. Zeke had called me exceptionally powerful—blood of the ancients—but a warrior? Me? That didn’t match the person I thought I was.

He shifted, leaning slightly forward. “The men who hunted you wanted to take that power. Harness it through forbidden blood magic,” he said, his voice turning cold. “A dark, deadly ritual, one that would’ve killed you, leaving them with unimaginable power in your place.”

His eyes darkened to an almost unnatural black, his face set in quiet fury. “Those who sought to destroy your family saw you as the ultimate prize. Your parents knew what you were and the threat you posed to their enemies. They understood the consequences if you were taken.”

He paused, pressing his lips into a hard line. “But you were only a kid. Your powers weren’t fully developed, making you more vulnerable than you are now. They gave their lives to protect you—to keep you from falling into the hands of those who would exploit your gift. Without their sacrifice, you wouldn’t have survived.”

The words hit me like a punch to the chest, heavy and sharp, carving their mark before I could brace for the blow. My parents had died because of me. Murdered for what I was.

Then, a realization crept into my mind, quiet but undeniable. “So if I have that much power…then Reggie…”

I didn’t finish the sentence, but Izzy caught the unspoken question. His shoulders stiffened, his eyes clouding with concern.

“Yeah, Reggie’s a problem,” he admitted. “He has those abilities now. It’s not just your strength or magic. It’s your indestructibility fueling him. And he knows it. He’s untouchable.”

The more I learned, the more dire the situation seemed. Every new revelation only deepened the sense of dread that had taken hold of me.

“If blood magic makes it possible to take my powers, then why doesn’t Reggie just kill me and take them?” I asked, my mind racing. “That way, he wouldn’t even need the ring, and he could just get rid of me.”

Izzy smiled, but it quickly faded, his expression turning serious. “If he could pull that off, he’d do it in a heartbeat.” His gaze fixed on mine, his eyes burning with a quiet, lethal intensity. “But you’re not in possession of your powers right now. For the blood ritual to work, your power needs to be flowing through your veins. But it’s stored in the Siphon. If he killed you, your magic would die with you. And if he took the rings off, he wouldn’t stand a chance. He’d lose. Keeping you alive but powerless is his best option.”

He paused, staring past me at something only he could see. “Besides, a blood ritual is incredibly difficult and requires immense control,” he said. “Reggie tried it once on a very young witch. He failed, but…” The words trailed off, and a thread of sorrow pulled at him. “She died anyway.” He grew still, the silence lingering in the air like smoke, as if paying silent tribute to her memory.

The sentence slithered under my skin, an icy grip tightening around my bones. I didn’t know the girl, had never even heard her name, but I couldn’t shake the image: a life stolen, her magic ripped away by Reggie’s unrelenting thirst for power. His failure had left only death. A wave of revulsion rose in me as the full extent of his cruelty settled in.

Eventually, his eyes dropped to my hand, fixating on the Ruby. “Reggie would sacrifice everything to ensure you never take that ring off. And that only makes him more dangerous.”

He returned his attention to my face, his concern evident as his gaze lingered on the bruise. He studied it intently before his fingers hovered over it, though he didn’t touch it. “I’m not even sure how breakable you are right now,” he murmured, the thought etched across his features. “You can clearly be injured in this state. It’s strange to see you like this—so…vulnerable.”

But just as quickly, he dismissed the idea, picking up his spoon with a casual ease as if the moment had never happened. “But don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” he added with a wink, the tension in his tone dissipating. “Just remember that when you get your memories back, and I ask for a favor, and you say…” He mimicked my voice in a high pitch, “‘What have you ever done for me?’”

I rolled my eyes, smiling despite myself. But the seriousness quickly returned, and I leaned in a little. “So…Zeke told me that Reggie has waged a war on our kingdom.”

“Yes…but he hasn’t left this realm in nearly a hundred years, thanks to the rings. Instead, he projects his essence into our world to command the Shadowweavers.”

“He…projects his essence?” I whispered, struggling to wrap my mind around it.

Izzy nodded, absently swiping a hand through his short hair. “He can’t be there physically, but his presence can still manifest. He can’t touch anything or be touched, but he can see and speak. It’s a powerful ability, one that makes him nearly invulnerable.” He shrugged slightly. “Not that he really needs it, with your powers.”

His words hung in the air, laden with significance. It was hard to ignore the feeling that something crucial was missing.

“This place was never meant to be his home, just a temporary refuge while he set everything in motion. Though he seems quite comfortable, doesn’t he?” He scoffed, his lip curling with disdain. “Lets his brotherhood do the heavy lifting. Never liked to get his hands dirty.” His expression hardened. “He’ll come back when the moment serves him. Probably plans to keep you locked away, hidden, preserving your power. Then he’ll spread the lie that the Vespera abilities were just a myth, that you’re dead.”

I froze, my eyes wide. No, he wouldn’t. But as the thought sank in, I couldn’t deny the truth. Yes, he would. I focused on my breathing, trying to steady myself, to block out the panic creeping in.

Izzy's lips curled into a half-smile as he patted my back, his tone lightening. “Don’t worry, we won’t let that happen, of course,” he said, winking.

Just then, Zeke arrived home, his presence a welcome distraction from the ominous conversation. “Why the long face?” he asked, his eyes scanning my solemn expression.

I quickly forced a smile, eager to deflect his concern. “Nothing. Just asking Izzy if there are any other long-lost siblings I should know about.” I didn’t want him to see the heaviness of my worries, not yet. I knew he would’ve told me if I’d asked directly, but some truths were easier left unspoken. Knowing about my past wouldn’t help me get the ring off.

Zeke laughed, his easy grin infectious, and the tension in the room seemed to vanish. “No, trust me,” he said with a chuckle, “two of us are more than enough.”

Izzy nodded, pointing his spoon as if to emphasize his point. “Exactly.” With a flick of his wrist, he made the cereal bowl disappear, leaving the table spotless. He stood, his eyes gleaming with determination. “So, my plan for today is to visit Reggie.” He raised a hand before Zeke could protest. “I’m not going to confront him—just want to gather intel, see if I can overhear something useful. Worst case, I fade out. He won’t follow me. I’m the perfect person for the job.”

I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my chair. My tone dripped with skepticism. “Good luck with that. Reggie’s never home.”

Zeke’s gaze darted to me, studying me with an intensity that made me question what I was missing. For a long moment, he remained silent, clearly hesitant to upset me .

Ugh, what now?

My brow furrowed, confusion clouding my expression. “What is it?” I asked, my tone sharp with impatience, urging him to spit it out.

Finally, he spoke, his words landing like a bombshell. “Reggie doesn’t live at the farmhouse,” he uttered with a sense of reluctance, as though unsure how to begin. “That was meant to be…your house. He lives in a large estate in the mountains, where he spends most of his time. Sal has a house on the property, too.”

I just stood there, my jaw hanging open, stunned. Then the anger hit, my stomach twisting as adrenaline prickled at my skin. “That little...” I trailed off, my throat dry, disgust rising sharp and bitter.

Zeke’s expression softened, his gaze filled with sympathy. “I know,” he murmured, his hand moving to my back, rubbing it slowly in a quiet gesture of comfort.

Izzy, however, seemed to find the whole thing more entertaining than anything else. “Don’t worry, Bryn. When this is all over, I’ll turn him into a frog for you,” he said, winking dramatically.

I stared, stunned. “You can actually do that?” I asked, half-expecting him to pull out a magic wand. Honestly, it wasn’t a bad idea.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. Then he grabbed his backpack and walked toward the door. “Be back tonight,” he called over his shoulder, lifting a hand in a loose wave .

Zeke poured himself a cup of coffee and took the seat beside me at the table. “How’d you sleep?” he asked, his gaze skimming over me like he was checking to make sure I was still in one piece. “Love the outfit, by the way.”

I let out a quiet laugh, a flutter of warmth blooming in my chest. “Thanks. Borrowed it from a friend,” I said, trying to sound casual. But my smile faded as I shifted. “I slept okay…after the dream, anyway.”

His brow pulled tight. “You mentioned Reggie was angry. Did he say anything? What happened exactly?” The gears in his mind were turning as he tried to piece it together.

I took a steadying breath, the memory so vivid I could see it. “I was back at the farmhouse, alone…but there was this whispering so loud I couldn’t make sense of it. And then, out of nowhere, Reggie appeared. Just standing there, staring at me, saying nothing. It was…terrifying.”

A flicker of realization crossed his face, his lips tightening into a thin line. “It’s the ring,” he said flatly, but with undeniable certainty.

I glanced at the Ruby, a cold knot forming in my stomach. “What? How?”

His features hardened. “The Siphon has now sensed the Ruby’s been cloaked,” he said, voice grave. “It’s searching for you—in your mind. Like I said, it works like a tracking system. The rings are drawn to each other. And it won’t stop until it finds you. ”

A wave of anxiety tried to wash over me, but I fought it back, focusing on the facts. There would be side effects to running, but I could handle it. My pulse quickened, an electric energy humming under my skin.

How much of my mind could the ring control? Could it break me before it found me?

No. I refused to let it.

I swallowed the tightness in my throat, grounding myself. This wasn’t going to stop me. I had to push forward—and I would.

“So, what’s the plan now?” I asked, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “Did you get the IDs?”

Zeke grabbed his backpack and pulled out an envelope, laying its contents on the table. I picked up the two ID cards and studied them, raising an eyebrow.

“Really. Billy and Sue?” I teased, stifling a laugh. “That’s the best you could come up with?”

He grinned unapologetically. “I thought they were nice and subtle,” he said, shrugging. “We’re not exactly aiming for glamor here. Just need something to get us through.”

With a quiet chuckle, he slid the IDs back into the envelope and tucked it into his backpack. His expression shifted, and he pulled out a folder filled with travel documents.

“I’ve got plane tickets for the day after tomorrow,” he said, meeting my eyes. “We’re heading to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The flight’s about twenty hours, with three stops along the way.” He paused, gauging my reaction. “Once we arrive, we’ll have two months to settle in before we need to move again. That should give us enough time to figure out our next step.”

A wave of guilt hit me hard as I looked at him. A life on the run, never able to put down roots, always in hiding. Zeke didn’t deserve this. He was a good person, kind and selfless, and yet here he was, stuck with me, caught in the mess I was drowning in. Worse, he had powers he couldn’t even use in this world, at least not openly.

It wasn’t just unfair. It was cruel.

We spent the rest of the day fine-tuning the plan. We covered every detail, running through the logistics again and again. By the time evening rolled around, the realization hit me: in less than forty-eight hours, we’d be on the other side of the world, leaving everything behind. The thought was both electrifying and unnerving, a mix of excitement and fear that left me feeling restless and on edge.

“So, we’ll need to leave early on Friday, probably get to the airport around 5:00 AM,” Zeke said, his eyes scanning the room as he spoke. “I picked up a few outfits and some essentials for you, but we can always get more once we’re there. ”

With a subtle twist of his wrist, several bags appeared, stuffed with clothes, shoes, and other supplies. I let out a quiet gasp, then smiled, surprised and grateful. “Wow. Thank you.”

Despite my gratitude, a nagging doubt lingered. Zeke must have sensed it because he flashed me a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be fine, Bryn. Reggie won’t expect us to run; it’s just not my style.” His grin widened, confidence gleaming in his eyes. “He’s probably gearing up for a battle, thinking I’ll bring the fight to him.”

Just then, Izzy materialized out of thin air. I yelped in surprise, and he jumped too, spinning around like he expected an attack.

“She’s not used to people randomly appearing, Izzy,” Zeke said, rubbing his temples and sighing.

Izzy straightened, looking sheepish. “Right. Sorry, Bryn.”

I laughed and waved him off. “It’s fine,” I said, pressing a hand to my racing heart to calm the rapid beat.

Izzy took a deep breath and launched into his report like he hadn’t just scared me half to death. “I didn’t learn much, but I can tell you this—Reggie’s pissed. When I showed up, he was throwing a fit, trashing his room, and yelling at Salvador.”

He turned to Zeke, a mischievous gleam in his eye. “Speaking of Salvador, he’s really worked up about the diner. Says you destroyed it.” Izzy’s grin stretched wide. “Good job, brother. ”

Zeke mirrored the smile, shrugging smugly. “What can I say? I have my moments.”

He filled Izzy in on the details of our departure, assigning him to keep an eye on Reggie and Sal to make sure neither of them suspected anything.

“I’m heading to bed,” I said, suddenly drained. “I’m exhausted.”

“Goodnight!” Izzy called cheerfully.

Zeke gave me a soft smile and a quick nod, his gaze following me as I made my way upstairs.

Once I reached the hallway, I stepped into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower, the warmth of the water washing away the tension that had been building all day. Afterward, I slipped into bed, curling up beneath the covers, letting the softness of the sheets envelop me like a cocoon.

But just as I was about to drift off, I heard a light knock on my door.

“Come in,” I called.

The door creaked open, and Zeke stepped inside, his eyes catching the dim light.

“Hey,” he said, his tone low.“Just wanted to check in before I went to bed.”

I shifted, sitting up and patting the spot beside me, silently inviting him to join. He walked over and sat down, the bed dipping slightly under his weight.

“So, what are your plans for us tomorrow?” I asked, voice coy. “Because I was thinking…” I paused, ba tting my lashes, trying to be as persuasive as possible. “Maybe we could go to my waterfall. You know, for one last time. It was my favorite thing about this life.”

Zeke’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes softening. “I think that sounds perfect,” he said gently. “And our waterfall…” His voice dropped, full of quiet sincerity. “We spent a lot of time there together…in your dreams.”

I smiled. “ Our waterfall.”

I shifted the conversation, a question forming in my mind. “Izzy doesn’t seem too worked up about everything. He’s taking it all…strangely well, don’t you think?”

A flicker of something crossed Zeke’s face. He paused, his expression turning neutral before he answered.

“We were raised not to show much emotion,” he said slowly, his tone guarded. “Especially not fear. It was seen as unacceptable—weak. A vulnerability that could be exploited. In our world, that makes you a liability. And liabilities can cost lives.”

I sensed there was more behind his words, and my curiosity deepened.

“What do you mean?” I asked, urging him to go on.

His gaze drifted, as if pulled somewhere far away. After a moment, he spoke again, his voice heavy with meaning.

“The Rykoffs are of royal blood in our realm,” he said, voice low. “Izzy and I were raised with the expectation that one of us would take the throne. Technically, I’m older, so that makes me the rightful king. But if anything were to happen to me, Izzy would seamlessly take my place.”

I had suspected he was a king, but hearing him say it out loud still caught me off guard. I hadn’t fully grasped the depth of his royal bloodline.

“So, you’re the king of our realm,” I said slowly, voicing the truth aloud for the first time.

Zeke’s lips twisted into a wry expression, a soft laugh escaping him. “Technically, yes,” he said, eyes glinting with a teasing spark. “Though Izzy likes to joke that maybe Mom mixed us up when we were babies and he’s actually Ezekiel, the true, rightful king.”

I let out a quiet giggle at the thought, and Zeke’s grin deepened, his shoulders easing as the moment lightened.

“Yeah,” he said, shaking his head with a fond smile. “Truth is, Izzy doesn’t want the title. Says he wasn’t born to be a king. He’s not exactly the rule-following type.” His gaze softened. “But he’d make a fine king. I’d trust him with my life…and yours.”

His words warmed me, and I smiled, touched by the bond they shared. It was clear they’d do anything for each other.

“So…does that mean your parents have passed on, since you’re the king?” I asked, hesitating slightly.

Zeke shook his head, his expression solemn. “No. In our realm, the heir takes the throne when he comes of age and marries,” he explained .

I paused, then pressed on, emboldened by my own curiosity. “Earlier…you said I’m the queen. Is that because I married into your bloodline? Because I married… you ?”

He turned toward me, his face serious, the impact of his words clear even before he spoke.

“It’s more than that,” he said, voice steady, deliberate. “You may not have royal blood, but that doesn’t matter. You’re not just any sorceress.”

He looked at me like he saw something sacred. Something undeniable. “You’re a Vespera. You carry the blood of the primordial beings. Your power, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle between us. “You’re a true queen, Bryn. A queen of magic. A queen of power. A queen of destiny.”

I was speechless, my heart pounding as his words echoed through me.

Zeke was the one born to rule, the rightful heir.

But the idea that I, too, possessed such power, ancient and real, was both exhilarating and terrifying.

A quiet stillness stretched between us, heavy with unspoken thoughts, until Zeke broke it gently. “I should head to bed,” he said, glancing at the clock on the nightstand before pushing himself up.

A pang of panic hit me, and before I could stop myself, I blurted, “Stay—please. ”

My heart pounded with the vulnerability of the request.

He turned back to me, and a quiet relief passed over his features. “Of course I’ll stay.”

He slid back into bed, lifted the covers, and settled beside me. I shifted closer, drawn to his warmth, the steady rhythm of his breathing, the comfort of his presence.

With him next to me, the world outside seemed to vanish, replaced by a sense of safety I hadn’t known I was missing.

“I just want to remember,” I whispered, the quiet of the night wrapping around my words.

Zeke’s response was immediate, free of doubt. “You will. I promise.”

His voice was firm yet tender, carrying a quiet certainty. Then he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. Warmth spread through me from the place his lips had touched.

The simplicity of the gesture left me feeling cared for, cherished, and safe, feelings I hadn’t let myself experience in a long time, if ever.

But what came next stole my breath away.

He lowered his lips to mine, but didn’t close the gap. He just hovered there, breath mingling with mine, the air charged with a tension so thick it felt ready to snap. His breath grazed my skin, warm and steady, and the ache of wanting him settled low and heavy in my belly .

My heart beat wildly, each second dragging, the space between us tightening like a thread about to unravel. He lingered, purposefully, as if he needed me to want it just as much as he did.

And then, finally , he kissed me.

His lips brushed mine so gently it almost broke me, like he was memorizing the shape of my mouth with nothing but patience and reverence. It wasn’t a kiss so much as a question. A promise. A memory trying to find its way back.

My breath stuttered. I reached up with trembling fingers and threaded them through his hair, grounding myself in him, in this moment, afraid to let it slip away.

Then the air shifted.

His mouth moved against mine, slow no longer. The kiss deepened, fierce and hungry, like he’d been holding it back for lifetimes. My skin lit up, nerves sparking to life, and I felt myself dissolve into him, into the fire he’d been keeping just for me.

I melted into his embrace, his warmth wrapping around me, anchoring me. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was truly home.