His gaze snaps back to mine, and shock dances across his face. “Change me and you?”
“Yes. What if knowing only changes the way we feel about each other? The way you feel about me?”
He grabs my face, trying to force my eyes to his. “Nothing will change the way I feel about you. Nothing, Briar Blackbyrne.”
I look down, unable to meet his gaze. “Even knowing that you were created to be drawn to me? Even knowing that you are my tether? You must keep me grounded in this realm.”
Silas sighs and remains silent.
He lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I knew those weren’t nightmares. We can travel to different realms, can’t we?”
His eyes grow distant, and I know he’s retracing his steps each night he’s dreamed of me.
I hum.
“I chased you all those years, pulling you back each time.”
“Kalix referred to me as a Realm Walker. You, being my tether, were meant to pull me back. So yes, technically, you can too. Without you, I could get stuck—and I did get stuck. When you were injured, I found myself trapped in a realm with Kalix.”
“I searched for you desperately, Briar. I used every ounce of my power to find you. You know that.” Silas angles his head. “Why would you be afraid to tell me this?”
“What if our feelings are forced? What if they aren’t genuine, and we only feel this way because it was our destiny?” A tear rolls down my cheek.
He places my hand on his strong chest, and a calming thump responds in return. “You taught me that we are in control of our own destinies. Fate may have brought us together, but each day, I choose you because I want to.”
“But, what if that isn’t real?”
Silas presses my hand to his chest tighter. “Do you feel my heart beating? Can you sense its steady rhythm? That’s real, and it beats only for you.” He presses my hand harder against his heart. “Tether or not, Briar Blackbyrne, I am yours. I want to walk through every realm with you. I want to know every part of you, and I swear to the Gods and beyond to love every fucking inch of you until my body—until my soul—turns to ash.”
I can’t control the tears streaming down my cheeks. Silas leans forward and kisses each one away.
“I started chasing you as soon as I felt you all those years ago,” he rasps. “I’ll chase you—even blindly, if I must—to the darkest realm. I’ll never stop following after you.”
His mouth moves from my cheeks to my lips. The kiss is gentle and slow, allowing me to find his calm. His hand releases mine, travels up to find its place at the back of my neck. He pulls me even closer, deepening the kiss. His warmth envelops me, and I open to him. His tongue swirls around mine, as if tasting me for the first time. Something in my chest tingles as both of us finally recognize the connection, causing something to click. I swear for a moment that if I looked down, I would see a physical rope connecting us.
In one fluid motion, Silas grips my hips and pulls me to straddle him. Our chests collide, and he slips a hand to the back of my neck, pulling me as close as possible. Our kiss grows more fervent, and I rake my nails into the back of his shirt.
I pull away and grip the back of his neck. “There doesn’t happen to be a cave around here anywhere?”
Silas leans his head back and lets out a deep laugh that resonates around us. The infectious laugh moves around us, mixing with the breeze, and my heart flutters. It’s been so long since I’ve heard that delicious noise, and I smile wider than I have in a long time.
“There she is,” he declares. “My sarcastic girl. Would you like me to find one quickly?”
“I don’t think that will be necessary, Nastronde.” I laugh and respond, “I have a feeling that cave or no cave, you’d do just about anything I asked of you.”
He smiles. “For the rest of my life, Briar.”
Silas rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes. I watch him and admire his beautiful face. His scar glimmers in the moonlight, and I softly trace it with my thumb. His breathingsteadies, and we remain in this moment—only us. Silas slowly opens his eyes, and the stars reflect off his green eyes.
“We are one step closer to finding out what we need to know,” he whispers. “I just need you to stay with me.”
I shift off his lap and sit next to him again. “Then, why don’t I feel better?”
“Because even after everything, I fear that the worst has yet to come.”
Silas grabs my hand and holds it tight. I look up, and the stars continuously twinkle against the black velvet sky. “I think you are right.”
“I usually am,” he whispers, and I nudge his shoulder.
