“I won’t let them.”
I pull her closer, letting her fear seep into me as I hold her.
“I’ll never let them take you, Lailah. We don’t have to stay in this world, bound by the past. We can be free,together.”
Her eyes search mine, torn between fear and something else—something softer, like hope. But there are still too many questions in those eyes for me to answer.
“What if running away isn’t the solution?” she asks, her voice breaking, her heart so exposed. “What if we live this short,beautifullife together, hiding from everyone, only for you to be running from this decision for eternity? I won’t put you through that.”
She’s afraid that by choosing this—choosingus—I’ll end up sacrificing more than I’m willing to bear. And that thought terrifies her, because she loves me enough to not want to be the one who keeps me chained to a life of fear and hiding. I pull her close, my hands trembling as they find her face, gently lifting it until her eyes meet mine again.
I can’t hide the way I feel any longer.
"I’m not scared of this world, or the evil that comes with it," I confess. "I’m scared of losing you.Only you."
The silence that follows is heavy, aching. I’ve spoken these words before, but never like this—never with this kind of unguarded truth.
“It’s not fair to you,” she whispers, the remorse in her voice so cutting, so fragile. “You deserve more than just...this. A lifetime for me is a moment for you. And when mine ends, you will still carry the weight of it.”
I swallow hard, every word she speaks landing like an arrow lodged in my chest. The fear I’ve been holding inside fights to escape.
“I’ve endured a hundred lifetimes without you. I can’t bear another one. If it means running, I’ll run. If it means hiding, I’ll hide. But as long as you’re with me, I’m not afraid. I’m not running from anything anymore. I live foryou, Lailah. Only for you.”
Her breath hitches in her throat, her eyes filled with a vulnerability I can’t look away from. The battle between love and fear plays out in every inch of her. And I can see the anguish—the unbearable thought of losing me, of watching me remain while she fades away. Iwant to take that pain from her, to make her understand that I’m not afraid of the future anymore.
“Time may wither your body, age may steal your breath, but I will not leave. I’ll stand by your side, watching as you fade, and I’ll take every moment with you. When death comes for you, I’ll be there—hecan try to take you, but I’ll follow you into his grasp. No matter how twisted, no matter how dark, I’ll walk through it with you. Because even death himself will never take you from me.”
Her tears fall freely, hot against my skin, and I pull her deeper into my embrace, wrapping her in every piece of me. I can feel her trembling, her body shuddering with the burden of everything we’re facing. I know she’s scared. I can feel it in the way she clings to me, the way her heart races.
But I’m not scared. Not now. Not with her in my arms. I pull her closer, as if holding her closer can erase the fear and stop time from slipping away.
“I’m not afraid of this,” I whisper against her hair, my voice low, filled with an ache only she can soothe. “Not anymore. You are mine, and nothing—nothing—will ever take you from me. My soul calls to yours, and even if one day you turn from me, I will still be here, waiting until you come back home. Tome.”
I hold her as she cries, her tears soaking into my skin, refusing to let go. I tighten my arms around her, offering the only comfort I know how—my presence, my love. She doesn’t say anything more, but I feel her trembling, quiet sobs wracking her body. And slowly, as the tears continue to fall, she drifts into a restless sleep in my arms, her breath steadying as exhaustion finally claims her. I stay awake, my heart heavy with the promises I can’t fully make, but I know this much. I will never leave her.
As she sleeps, I hold her close, every part of me silently vowing to protect her, no matter the cost.
She’s mine. And I am hers.
44
LAILAH
As I drift into sleep, the weight of the world seems to lift, and I find myself in a place of warmth and light. The sun hangs low over a quiet, sprawling farm, casting a golden glow over the fields. The sound of birdsong drifts through the air, mingling with the laughter of children playing near the barn.
I watch them, my heart swelling with love as my own little ones run through the grass. The girl, with dark red hair and a bright, fearless smile, pulls her brother along—his dark brown hair and green eyes sparkling with mischief as he chases after her.
I hear Gwyn’s voice in the distance, her laughter blending with Alias’s as they argue good-naturedly by the fire. Malachi sits beside them, quiet as ever, his eyes half-closed as if he's too deep in his thoughts to hear their bickering. It’s a simple life, one of peace, one that doesn’t have to be overshadowed. The children, so carefree, so innocent, are a world away from the darkness we know.
Callum sits beside the embers, his eyes twinkling as he watches the children play. His laughter spills out effortlessly, blending with theirs, and it’s like the whole world is in perfect harmony. He stands and scoops up the dark-haired girl, spinning her through the air with a joyful laugh. The sound rings out, vibrant and full of life, filling theair around us. Her brother joins them, his small hands tugging at Callum’s sleeve, urging him to keep playing. They’re both caught up in the magic of the moment, their laughter infectious.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel a peace settle within me. The worries, the fears, everything that’s haunted me feels so far away. Here, now, I am free. Free from the constant danger, the pressure, the uncertainty. Free to justbe.
I turn to see Casper walking toward me from the fields, his sleeves rolled up, dusted with earth. His face is softened by the glow of the setting sun, and his eyes meet mine with a tenderness that takes my breath away. I smile, my heart full, as he steps closer, wiping the sweat from his brow and kissing me gently on the cheek.
"How was the day?"I ask softly, as the children run past us again, giggling and tumbling in the soft grass.
"Busy,"he replies, his voice warm and filled with satisfaction."But worth it, when I come home to you."
