Chapter Forty-One
Esme
Dorian was wide-eyed as he looked over me, in shock at seeing me alive.
I had to admit seeing the look on his face made me feel hope that something crucial had changed in him. I know something big had happened in the world since I was alive, even though I remember dying.
Still, I didn’t know what happened, and while I was beyond happy to see him, I wanted to know where we stood. Was this the Dorian that was an asshole to me, or the one that despite everything made me fall for him?
“Esme.” His voice was barely above a whisper, and I felt that hope inside me flutter.
My fingers reached out to touch his wounds, and his body shuddered against my touch. A good shudder or a bad one?
“Did you get in a fight with a knife while dicing vegetables?” I teased, a defense for the strong feelings that were running through me right now.
“No, Esme. How are you feeling? Melissa Ann said you were sad today.”
“Today has been a weird one, that’s for sure, but if I’m being honest, I do feel sad.”
“Why?”
He was just as unsure in this moment as I was.
Something had changed in him. I could see it in his eyes, his wariness being around me.
Dare I keep hoping he realized his feelings for me? Instead of ruining the world, he somehow saved it and brought me back?
“Well, it’s sort of a long story. I don’t want to bother you with my feelings. I know how much you detest emotions.”
I couldn’t get my words out, for some reason, even though I saw that something was different, I was still guarding my heart.
“Maybe this would help you loosen your tongue.” He stood, closing the small distance in between us. My eyes drifted up to his, my heart beating faster in my chest.
“I love you, Esme. Sorry I was too big of an asshole to see it.”
As cliché as it was, my legs gave out, but Dorian was quick to wrap his arms around me while sitting back in the chair and bringing me with him onto his lap.
“I hope those are tears of happiness.” He spoke softly while reaching up to wipe the tears that were falling down my cheeks.
“The man I sacrificed my life for loves me back. Of course they are happy tears, you jerk.”
I was being overly emotional, but considering I’d died for him, and then was suddenly back in a place where he loved me, I think my happy tears were acceptable.
“You remember everything?” he asked, as if still scared that I might not, and I nodded my head.
“I remember everything. What did you do, Dorian? Why do you look like you were in an explosion?” My hands started running all over his skin, touching every part of him I could, making sure he was real.
“Are you sure you want to hear it?”
“Yes.” I knew without a doubt I wanted to know.
“I started a war, and people died, but seeing one particular person take their last breath opened my eyes. And love won. Asher was able to work a spell with my and Draco’s blood to go back in time. A time where you were living. I gave it all up to see you breathing again and to tell you I love you.”
My smile was wide, and my tears wouldn’t stop flowing.
“Do you hate me?” His hand left my side and cupped my cheek. He made mistakes, big ones, but in the end, he made it better.
“I knew falling for the villain wouldn’t be easy, but turns out the villain was really the hero in the end.” I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled from my chest as a big smile grew on his face before he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.
