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CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

MIKO

W e lay together, basking in the afterglow beneath the silky sheets, Orion’s head on my chest, our legs entangled.

Just as it should be.

I still carried a shit load of guilt. It might always be there somewhere, never quite healing, leaving a scar. Sometimes it reared its head, other times it stayed in the shadows. Each day I learned to navigate it, to live in this world with its stain.

Because I was lucky. Because I had the love of a good fae and the love of my pack. Between them, they kept me going, the fires of fighting never dimming.

“I’m so sleepy,” Ori said with a yawn, looking so at home against me.

My cherrypie was my safety, my support, my everything. The greatest gift wrapped in hope. I’d dreamed of him because we were meant to get here, to be in this bed, finding our happy in the new world.

“Sleep,” I whispered, kissing his crown.

He snuggled closer to me—if that was even possible.

So warm.

So beautiful.

With him I could face anything. He made me strong. He made me love when I didn’t think it possible.

I wasn’t sure what the future held, how things would pan out across the world. There were so many possibilities, both scary and exciting. But as long as I had this guy with me, everything would be alright.

“You’re my miracle,” I said, stroking his back.

“Likewise.” I didn’t expect him to answer or lift his head. “My honey bunny scrummy cake.” His forehead creased. “Sorry, I was going for a new nickname, and it flopped.”

I laughed, ruffling his hair. “Aw, it’s cute.”

“Is it?”

“Bit of a mouthful.”

“Just like you.” He kissed me.

“Naughty, cherrypie.”

“See. That’s a good nickname.”

My God, I wanted to eat his adorable face. “Well, there’s four words in there for you to use. Edit it down and you might get a goodie.”

Those lines remained on his forehead. “I think you’re taking the piddle.”

“Maybe I am.”

He giggled and settled back down, falling asleep minutes later, his gentle snores lulling me off to sleep shortly after.

This was bliss.

Pure bliss.