Chapter 27 Return to Me
Wynn
I crouch over Marlow’s body, still seated at the table in the interrogation room. His body remains still and lifeless. His spirit… it's not here. I have no idea where he is.
I hover over him, clueless about what to do. With his eyes closed, he looks so still and peaceful. The sight makes my gut twist painfully at the wrongness. All I know is that going anywhere isn't an option, so I fight it when Adelaide grabs me and tries to drag me back.
"Wynn, let me untie him."
Oh. The distance as I step away feels far too great. Only a few feet away from his body. How far is his spirit? Will we ever get it back?
It takes a minute for Adelaide and Cierra to release all the shackles. Then it's up to me. Inspiration hasn't struck about how to get him back, so I just do what comes naturally.
I take Marlow's face in my hands, tilting his face up towards mine. "I love you. I love you, you infuriating, reckless fool. Please come back to me." I press a gentle kiss to his unmoving lips and pray that fairy tale logic applies here and love can save the day somehow.
Marlow remains still and lifeless against me. I barely notice the faint flutter of wings until Iggy perches on my shoulder, and I realize the Alphas released him from his cage. We watch over Marlow together, the two beings who love him most, both of us hoping for a miracle.
The helplessness gnaws at me, growing sharper and more unbearable with every passing second. This is the worst. A growl rumbles up from deep in my chest, something primal and desperate. "Damn it, Marlow!" I slap my palm against his chest. "Get your ass back here right now!"
A gasp comes from in front of me. Marlow’s chest rises and falls visibly. He groans, body coming back to life as he blinks and moves his stiff muscles and generally acts—alive. Back. He’s back? Oh my god. Is this real?
“Are you… does everyone else see this too?” I whisper.
Someone laughs behind me. Adelaide mutters something, but it’s Iggy who tells me everything I need to know.
“Marlow!” The gargoyle launches himself off my shoulder and into the air. He flutters around Marlow’s head, doing a few joyous flips before dropping down onto the demon’s shoulder and shoving himself against the side of Marlow’s face in an enthusiastic hug.
Oh my god. He’s back. I don’t even realize I’ve moved but Iggy flies up to let me have a turn. I gather Marlow into my arms and clutch his head against my chest. He lets out a few ragged breaths against my shirt as he gains his bearings. His hand finds my thigh, patting it reassuringly.
He's back. He came back to me.
"I hate you," I choke out. "I hate you so much." That was far too close to disaster.
"Wow, what a warm welcome," Marlow croaks out. "So glad I fought through the cold and black abyss to return to your loving arms."
"You might want to go back there because after I'm done with you…"
He pats my thigh again. "Go easy on me, big bad wolf."
I release him, backing up enough to look at him. Sweat clings to his brow and it looks like keeping his head up takes supreme effort. He’s pale and exhausted.
But he’s here. That’s what matters. That’s all that matters.
"Did you hear what I was saying?" I ask.
Marlow tilts his head as he tries to recall what happened.
"Uh, it's all kinda hazy. I went in looking for our target. That seemed like my only way out of this mess, and they must be close, right? Everything’s too muddled here, but I thought if I went through the passage, he’d be easier to track.
Supposed to be a short trip… I think I might have found him?
” I look over his head to Dodger, who nods.
“Then I got turned around trying to come back.
Felt like I was in there forever wandering. Then… then…"
"Then what?" I prompt.
He looks wrung out, but the smile he sends me is full and warm. "You. I heard your voice and went in that direction. I followed you home."
The words steal the air from my lungs. I kind of collapse against him, resting my forehead against his chest. I hear his heartbeat against my ear.
“You scared the hell out of me,” I murmur against the fabric of his shirt.
"I know, me too." His shaky fingers curl into my hair. "Which is why now really seems like the time to ask you."
"Ask?"
He gently tips my face back so I can see him.
"Opening your heart up is brave, Wynn. It's not something I'm any good at.
You take chances on people, but you're smart too. People may fool you once, but you don't let them fool you again. I just hope that I’m not too late. Have I already completely blown it?”
A shaky laugh escapes me. "How is it even a question? If I lost you, I was going to find a way to the underworld, track down your spirit, and kick its ass for leaving Iggy and me behind.”
A dopey, demented grin works its way onto his face. "Aww, that's sweet."
"Is it?"
"I sure think so."
I wrap my arms around him—around the chair he’s slumped in and every part of him I can reach. “I love you. As soon as I let myself feel it without reservations, I Recognized you. I love you so fucking much."
His hand comes up to rest lightly on my back, like he doesn’t quite believe what he’s hearing. "Yeah?"
I pull back to look at him very seriously. "Yeah."
"Me too," he murmurs. Music to my ears.
Maybe it's not the grand declaration of romance our audience expected, judging by the way Adelaide scoffs.
He clears his throat. “I mean… You aren't just my supposed mate anymore, are you? We’ve both seen the light, so… yeah, I feel the same.”
“Pathetic,” Adelaide mutters behind us.
“I will say it. Later.” Marlow tilts his head to the side and shoots her a glare. “But I’m not saying it in front of her."
"You're an idiot," I say fondly.
Marlow grins. "You're stuck with me."
Good.