“Take us someplace,” Killian uttered.
So she did. She clutched onto Killian’s wrist, and she thought of someplace they could be alone—together.
She felt everything. The breeze floating toward them off the lake, licking her skin. Killian’s strong hands pressed against her back, pulling her in tight. And the weight of a month’s emotions pressing on her shoulders—guilt and fear and joy at being with Killian. Everything she had pushed away, everything beautiful and terrible, roiled through her blood and bones like a storm meant to upend her.
She could feel the tears slipping from her eyes as she pressed her face to Killian’s chest. She held tight to his tunic so tight, she nearly tore the fabric in her small hands.
“I’m…” she started.
Killian shushed her gently and wrapped his arms fully around her. The sensation was wondrous, so full of love that it sent her toppling over the edge and into an emotion-filled ravine.
“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. And she was—devil’s hooves, she was. She was sorry for hurting him, and Sera and Manny. She was mortified by how she’d treated Privya and the others. And beneath all that, she regretted that she had ever wasted a moment not cherishing the man who now held her.
“I know,” Killian breathed against her hair. His voice echoed with both sadness and relief, as if her grief was his. Like he knew everything she was feeling, and would weather the storm with her.
Elyse pulled back to look at him and laid a hand across his cheek. Silver-lined tears spilled from his eyes. Elyse’s heart pounded a steady rhythm, so hard that it hurt. She pressed a hand to her chest as if she might be able to slow her heart down, but it only beat faster, faster, faster. It was impossible to breathe through this banging in her chest, and she gasped again and again for air.
“It’s okay,” Killian soothed, laying his hand atop hers. “I’m right here. Take slow breaths.”
Elyse nodded and breathed, shallow at first, but slowly she steadied herself, forcing air in through her nose and out through her lips. Killian waited, holding her gaze as she finally calmed down.
The emotions were still there, still brimming beneath the surface, tingling beneath her skin, but she held them at bay. She told her body to accept them, not to fight, and that seemed to help subdue some of the chaos within her.
“Better?” Killian asked, tucking a rogue strand of hair behind her ear.
Elyse nodded again as she continued to take steadying breaths.
Killian’s lips turned up ever so slightly, as if reassured. Then he glanced around at their surroundings. “Are we at Jaime’s?” he asked, brows furrowing.
“I…” Elyse trailed off as she looked toward the lake. The hills surrounding them were coated in darkness, and the cottage up the hill was nothing more than a silhouette. But the lake shone bright with the moon’s reflection, distorted by ripples from the breeze.
She realized it was strange to bring Killian here, to the estate of the man who had murdered him. She gave him an apologetic look. “I knew it would be empty here,” she said quietly. “And it was always so peaceful.”
In answer, Killian’s gaze moved toward the lake. He stared at it for a long moment, appreciation in his expression.
“This is where I decided to forgive you,” he said quietly, still focused on the lake. “Or at least, where I decided to hear you out.”
Elyse stared up at him, trying to read his features. “Can you forgive me again?”
Instantly, Killian returned his attention to her, a deep crease between his brows. “There’s nothing to forgive.” He ran a hand through the hair at the nape of her neck, his thumb gentlystroking her cheek. “No one holds you responsible for your actions. I’m just glad to have you back.”
Elyse couldn’t bear the affection in those words, nor the tenderness in his touch. It was too much, more than she could handle at that moment. Sheepishly, she dropped her gaze.
“That was… very stupid of you,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips. “You held Death hostage.”
Killian laughed, a quiet but hearty sound that made Elyse’s heart swell. “You once told me you like when I do stupid things,” he said, still chuckling. His expression sobered, and he leaned close. His words were a whisper across her cheek. “I’ll do whatever it takes when it comes to you. There’s no one in the universe that could keep us apart.”
He stayed there, his lips hovering close to her skin. Yet he waited, allowing Elyse to decide what she wanted.
Still holding Killian’s hand, she led him down to the lake. She stooped to remove her boots, and Killian did the same without instruction. Barefoot but still clothed, they stepped into the waters, which lapped gently at their ankles. They walked in farther, only stopping when Elyse’s waist was submerged.
Killian pulled her to him, and she wrapped her legs around his middle. He held her by her thighs and dropped down lower so the water reached their chests. Elyse laid her forearms on his shoulders and idly played with his short curls as they stared at one another, unspoken words basking in the moonlight.
They bobbed together in the water, their bodies moving in a peaceful rhythm. Elyse listened to the mellow cadence of the waves rolling over the shore and back. Killian, perhaps too lost in his own thoughts, was staring into the distance. Elyse presseda wet hand to his face, forcing his golden eyes to meet hers. His expression slackened at her touch, worry smoothing away.
Without another thought, Elyse kissed him. She touched her lips to his, posing a question, one that Killian eagerly answered. Keeping one of his hands on her thighs, he slid the other up her back and threaded his fingers into her hair.
He tasted like every emotion that was pent up inside of her. Sweet like adoration, bitter like longing.
