Page 52 of His Dark Delights
Ren turned to me, his eyes catching the light of the ascending sun.
“Thank you, Lilliana.” His voice was no more than a soft murmur, carrying the weight of his gratitude.
“Thank you for insisting that I could be a better man, even when I didn’t believe it myself.
Thank you for taking me through my unrelenting grief.
You tortured me endlessly, but it worked.
You believed in me, and you believed in change. ”
His words wrapped around me, coiled in the tender places in my heart and warmed them. “Salvation was always within your grasp, Ren. You just needed a push.”
“Or a kick in the ass.” He grinned.
“That too,” I giggled, meeting him for a kiss.
We watched the sun climb higher, beating back the fading sea of darkness, the amber rays illuminating a path ahead. A path of healing, or reconciliation, of growth, and love—one that we would eternally walk side by side.
The road that led to the farm was a worn ribbon of earth, winding through the lush expanse of wildflowers that swayed like a sea under the gentle caress of the wind.
As Ren and I approached, the memories of our first meeting flooded back, each step a reminder of the painful journey that had brought us to this moment.
The cottage came into view, a quaint structure nestled amidst the flourishing landscape, its stone walls weathered by time yet standing resilient against the passage of time.
Climbing ivy adorned the thatched roof, the mingled colors a backdrop against the sky.
It was a place of simplicity and warmth, a refuge that had once sheltered us from the storms of the world.
We paused at the edge of the meadow, the vibrant expanse of flowers stretching before us like a living painting. Daisies, poppies, and cornflowers mingled in a wild balance of hues, their petals dancing in the breeze, proof of the harmony of nature.
Ren turned to me, his gaze filled with a quiet reverence that mirrored my own. “It’s just as I remember,” he said, his voice a gentle murmur carrying nostalgia. “This is where everything began. The beginning of the end of the war.”
I smiled, the warmth of his presence a balm to my soul. “Yes,” I agreed, my heart swelling with the memory of those early days. “This is where I found you, healed you. Where you showed me what passions were possible. It feels like a lifetime ago.”
His hand found mine, our fingers entwining. “It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come,” he admitted, his eyes drifting to the horizon where the sun dipped low, washing the sky in shades of gold and crimson.
We walked hand in hand through the meadow, the silence between us comfortable, a reflection of the tranquility that had settled over our lives and the kingdom. The air was rich with the scent of earth and ever-blooming blossoms, a fragrance that spoke of past, present, and future.
As we reached the cottage, I pushed open the door, hinges creaking softly in welcome.
The interior was much as I remembered—cozy and inviting, with the soft glow of fading sunlight casting a warm energy over the simple furnishings.
The fireplace stood at the heart of the room, its hearth a reminder of the warmth that had once brought us together.
I grabbed a familiar quilt from my father's bedroom, briefly stopping to honor his memory. Blanket in arm, I joined Ren outside, in our spot in the meadow, intending to create new memories. When Ren’s arm draped around my shoulder, pulling me close, I freely leaned into him, unburdened by any hidden truths or falsehoods.
There in his arms, I rested, content that we’d found our way to one another regardless of the strife and heartbreak.
Ren’s hand found mine, fingers twinning together.
He lifted my hand, admiring the moonstone ring on my finger, a perfect match to my necklace.
A masculine sound of approval rumbled through his chest. “Trade and alliances with the fae are continuing to grow strong. Our marriage connected the last resistance between our worlds.”
Pride swelled in my chest and the warm buttery feeling of peace spread through my bones. “It wasn’t easy. Downright frustrating at times, but we did it. ”
“And it was all because of you, Lilliana.” He rolled over, stealing a gasp from my chest as he settled between my thighs. “You healed me in more ways than one. You wrestled me from my path of destruction… You saved me.”
“I’m proud of you, Ren,” I said, affection dripping off my tongue. “You’ve become the leader you were always meant to be.”
He chuckled. “I could say the same of you, my Queen of Flowers. Your strength, your kindness as a ruler—you’ve changed our kingdoms, and me, for the better.”
I smiled at him, my heart full to bursting with the emotion that had bound us from the very beginning. “I love you, Ren,” I whispered, the truth of my soul.
“And I love you, Lilly,” he replied, his gaze unwavering. “You are my heart, my home, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life by your side.”
As the night unfolded, we remained there, enfolded in one another’s embrace, content that we made it there, to the farm where it all began.
And in that moment, amidst the gentle hum of the evening, we knew that the journey ahead would be one of joy and discovery, guided by the light of our shared dreams.
I tasted satisfaction and joy in Soren’s kisses, and I found my happy ending written in the palms of his caress.
The flowers of the meadow watched over us, silent witnesses to the tale that had begun beneath their gaze.
And as the stars burned bright, casting their silvery light over my farm, I knew with unwavering certainty that this was only the beginning of a new story—a story filled with passion and the promise of a future we’d handle together in a time of peace for our people.