I pulled back from hovering over Nahomie. The gargoyle’s eyes had turned bright red, the lingering residue from her crying a moment ago. As Nahomie awakened, her sight adjusting to the chambers, the gargoyles rose to a stand, visibly relieved. Nahomie looked up. She giggled, watching the Gargorètti, Nanmiess, and Esprit fly around the lair with excitement.
“Hello, my family.”
Her voice was tired. Raspy. Worn.
But it wasthere.
I held onto her hands, sitting with the fact that she washere. Eyes opened. Lungs filled with air. A smile on her face.Rot. Emotions wrestled within me as I looked at the miracle that she was. She was radiant. A shining star whose light we were privileged to bathe in. Those beautiful amber eyes blazed like a thousand suns when she finally managed the strength to look up at me. I released the breath I was holding onto, my shoulders bowing, as the life in her eyes birthed life back into my hearts.
“Everheart,” I breathed.
I lowered my head and kissed her. Relishing the soft folds of her lips against mine, meticulously ravishing her mouth as if itwere the first time. I would never tire of this. Tire of branding myself against her mouth. Her skin. Hèls. I would never tire ofher. Stubborn, defiant, reckless as she was, she was brilliant, passionate, bold, breathtakingly stunning.
Best of all, she wasmine.
I pulled back enough to brush my nose against hers.
“I love you so much, Emélie.”
She lifted a weak hand to my cheek and smiled as best she could.
“I love you, Amouré.” She winced, her face pinching. I froze at the sudden change, only relaxing when the wave of pain passed. “You are where my hearts find rest.”
Rest.
The one thing she wanted most after the feeling of safety. I groaned, overwhelmed by my affection for her. I scooped Nahomie up in a hug that probably did more for me than for her. She buried her head in my neck. I wrapped my wings around her, holding her close. I petted her hair, tenderly brushing her spine with the feathers of my wings.
“I thought I had lost you.”
I choked. Held her tight. I gripped her against me, unable to do anything but sit with her in the silence, tucked firmly into my embrace. Nahomie wrapped her frail arms around my waist and leaned against my chest.
“I’m... still here, Mi Monstaru.”
Her quiet yawn filled the bond between us. After a few more strokes of her braids, Nahomie drifted off to sleep. I squeezed her once more before gently laying her back down under the duvet. I kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her jawline before pulling away. Nahomie immediately rolled over, tucked in her knees and snuggled deep into the bedcloud. Onmyside of the bed.
A grin stitched itself onto my face as I tucked her in. Then a youngling Nanmiess floated over, squeezing into Nahomie’s arms. Nahomie wrapped her arm around the soul while she slept, snuggling the soul close. My hearts swelled at the sight. One dawn it wouldn’t be a soul in her arms. It would be the next Everthorn.
I pulled away from my bride.
The Nanmiess and Esprits rushed in to surround their Roièssa while she slept.
“Keep an eye on her, Khaziah.”
The Raephim nodded at me.
“Yes, mi Roi. I will track her recovery and do whatever is necessary to make sure she is wholly well.”
I gave her a stern nod. Then I looked at the Nanmiess and Esprits.
“You will all stay behind. Protect my Everheart.”
“We will with our lives, mi Roi!”
“Good. I’ll be back.”
I turned to the Gargorètti.
“Join me.”
