Each time that thought rang out in my head, I pushed it away.
It was overwhelming to think about. I had just found Thal. There was no way I could lose him, not this soon.
Not ever.
And now that he’d survived, I wasn’t about to let a preventable infection take him down. That was why I was so determined to care for him and make sure he healed properly.
The battle we’d endured kept flashing through my mind too. I’d dealt with those thoughts before, but I hadn’t been as successful.
The zinging bullets, the cries and moans of the injured men, Rhea’s smirk, her fucking grin...
It was painful, but I kept reminding myself that we were safe, and that was all that mattered, even though I knew that wasn’t true.
None of us would cease until Rhea was eliminated, which introduced new concerns. Our future remained uncertain, and the threat persisted. None of us knew when the next strike might occur.
But for now, yes, it was time to rest.
Thal took my hand and brought it to his lips. A wave of comfort swept over me as he kissed my palm. His eyes were soft and calm, despite the pain he was experiencing. He looked at me with love in his eyes, the fierce look from last night completely gone.
It left me breathless. He was incredibly handsome, amazing, protective, and caring. Despite the dangers we faced, he didn’t try to control me under the guise of protection. That truly meant everything to me.
Emotions surged within me, and the feeling of connection flowing between us was undeniably strong and unbreakable. That knowledge gave me strength. To know that Thal and I had each other, no matter what, gave me as much life as water.
“I’m so glad we’re safe,” I whispered, breaking the silence of the morning. Thal smiled at me, pressing my palm to his cheek. His eyes were like dark pools of comfort that I wanted to drown in forever.
“'We are safe,” he rasped, grip tightening on my hand despite the painful grimace that clenched his jaw. “Zeno’s world is a graveyard because he’s still trying to control ghosts. But us? Wecreated this amidst the fire. I don’t just want to build a life with you, Daphne. I want to command the wreckage beside you. Zeno is chasing a fading memory, and Rhea is a dying breed. But you? You’re the only real thing in this godforsaken city. I am yours, not as an investment or debt, but as someone willing to walk into that warehouse a thousand times just to hear you say my name.”
His words washed over me like a healing waterfall, resonating deeply and comforting every spinning thought and feeling I’d had since last night.
The most important part of it all was that I believed him.
I believed every single word Thal said to me. The trust he’d built in me was sacred. He’d never lied. He’d never betrayed me. Not once had he tried to control me, tell me what to do, or give me any sign that he had hidden motives. All he gave me was love and strength.
I couldn’t think of anything more profound than that.
He was stable, responsible, and powerful. How could I not want to be around a man like that every single day? How could I not want to wrap my arms around him and never let go?
How could I not want to build a future when we shared such a sacred vision?
“I love you, Thal,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face.
He reached up, gently brushing them away. His touch was electric, warm, and soothing.
There was just one thing that wasn’t right.
“I’m still worried about Zeno,” I admitted.
Thal nodded, kissed my palm again, and stared deeply into my eyes.
“Daphne, tell me what you’re worried about?”
“Zeno’s response. To us. To Rhea. To whatever is going on with him and Cass….”
“But those are all Zeno’s problems, right?”
“And doesn’t it make it ours too?”
“Not necessarily.” He shrugged. “Zeno is a grown man. He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself.”
