Page 77 of His Retribution

I was right.

I've been fucking following my light everywhere for the last two hundred and seventy-five years without even knowing it.

She's always been just out of my reach and I've continued to allow harm to come to her every time I failed to find her.

And that bastard Nero has done exactly the same to ensure she meets her agonizing fate each time.

“Don't," Cora says as her fingers dig into my knees. "Do not blame yourself for anything. I can see it on your face, see it in your eyes. None of this is your fault, lovey, none of it. This was fate's sick game of cat and mouse. There is nothing you or I could have done differently that would change any of it."

I shake my head. "I should have protected you better in the first place, never should have left your side. I should never have let..." I choke down a sob then take a shaky breath. "You are my mate, mine to protect, my whole fucking life and I should have done everything in my power to keep you safe, then to find you when I couldn't."

"Havok, my heart, this was never up to us, never within our control. Our life played out exactly as it was supposed to and the only thing that matters is right now. We are together, have found each other again and we should be grateful for that. It's a chance at a new beginning, a chance to rewrite history and carve out a new path. It's you and me against the world, baby, and we are gonna grab it by the balls and make it our bitch."

I snort as a tear rolls down my cheek.

This is my Cora.

She has never been the fearful, paranoid, skittish creature she was when I found her.

No, my light has always been fierce, strong.

And this woman before me now, she is my Cora and she is one hundred and fifty percent right.

Henrich clears his throat again and when I look at him I find his eyes wet but smiling. "I do believe the little one is just fine." He gets to his feet and attempts to shake off his emotion. "I will leave you two to catch up, discuss the many things I'm sure you need to discuss, but if you begin to feel ill, a headache returns or something else entirely, please do not hesitate to call me."

I nod and Cora smiles then sticks her arms out toward Henrich who embraces my mate with ease, which of course makes me growl like an asshole.

"Ever the jealous one.” He chuckles then claps me on the shoulder. "Dawn is approaching, which means breakfast soon. I suggest the two of you eat before calling it a day." Then he looks to my light. "And if you are feeling up to it, allow him to feed once more. It has already done wonders for his injuries and I suspect it would only take one more solid feeding to restore him completely."

Henrich collects his things, heads toward the door then stops. "No funny business though." He smirks. "I do not think it would be wise to engage in any sexual acts, all considering. At least until Havok is healed and we know you recall enough of your past lives to prevent any kind of trauma to your mind when it happens."

I scowl at my brother then crack up as my mate blurts, "Did you just cock block us?!"

"I did.” Henrich laughs. "I am a healer, after all, it is my responsibility to make sure my patients are one hundred percent stable before I clear them forvigorous activities."

Cora laughs, a sound I've missed terribly and will never grow tired of, but as soon as the door closes and we are alone I look at her in awe.

My beautiful blue light.

My angel.

My Cora.

“Hi." I grin while my gaze rakes over her features.

She smiles. "Hi, lovey."

I lean forward, press a kiss to her lips, then pull her down the bed and roll us so we are facing each other, my love giggling the whole time.

"What is this 'lovey'? You've never called me that."

"I know.” Cora lifts her hand, pushes my hair back out of my eyes then traces a line from my temple to my chin, over my lips. "I started calling you that in my head though. Recently, not before. A few days after you started coming by to help with my truck I had a serious talk with myself."

"As you often do.” I pull her closer, tangle our legs, and start drawing circles against her skin.

"Like I said, some things never change. But it was in the middle of that when the pet name was born. I was struggling with how I felt I knew you, how easily I let my guard down with you and tossed out the idea of love. But as you know, even in my head I get flustered and I tripped over the word and wound up with 'lovey'."

"And you just took to calling me that in your head each time we were together?"