Chapter Twenty
Lucas
The sun was sinking behind the rooftops when we walked back into town, its golden light casting long shadows that danced along the cobblestones. Everything looked the same, as if the world hadn’t been on the brink of ending, as if we hadn’t just crawled out of hell itself.
But the people... they were different. They were waiting for us.
The moment we rounded the corner, their faces turned, their eyes widened. Then, a rush of movement. Voices calling out. Cheers. Someone shouted Annika’s name, and the rest joined in, their relief echoing off the walls.
I felt Annika stir in my arms, her eyes fluttering open. She tried to straighten, but I held her tighter. “Stay still. Just a little longer.”
Her gaze softened, but she didn’t argue. I smiled to myself, because that was a first.
The crowd surged forward, but one figure broke through first, faster than the rest. Callum. His face was pale, eyes wide with fear that melted into joy the second he saw us.
He skidded to a stop, his eyes raking over all of us, lingering on Annika, then Aiden. “You’re... you’re all back.”
I let out a rough breath, one I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Yeah. We’re back.”
Callum’s shoulders sagged, his relief palpable. He looked like he wanted to hug every one of us but was holding himself back. “I thought... we all thought...” His voice cracked. “You did it.”
I looked down at Annika, then at Aiden who was still gripping her hand as if afraid to let go. “We did.”
Callum’s eyes glistened, and he swallowed hard. “Thank heavens.” He hesitated for a second before his composure broke. He rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Aiden, pulling him close. “You scared the shit out of me, kid.”
Aiden hugged him back, his small body trembling. “I missed you, Uncle Cal.”
Callum laughed, a choked, wet sound. “Missed you too, you little rascal.” He pulled back, swiping at his eyes, then turned to Annika, his expression turning fierce. “Don’t you ever do that again. Any of you.”
It was strange to see him so… emotional. But I guess it was normal that such ordeals changed us, hopefully for the better.
Annika smiled at his words. “No promises.”
I felt the tension in my chest ease, that knot that had been there since the Shadow Bride first appeared finally loosening. We were home. We were safe.
I looked down at Annika, at the way she leaned into me, her body too weak to stand on her own. At Aiden, his eyes wide and haunted by things a child should never have seen. At Callum, whose relief was mixed with worry. The world was changing. For better or worse. And somehow, we were at the center of it all.
Several minutes later, we were surrounded and welcomed by the entire town, feeling the warmth of their welcome and relief. Hands clapped against my shoulders, arms wrapped around Annika, fingers ruffled Aiden’s hair. Laughter, tears, relief, I let it all wash over me. I absorbed it, but tried not to react. I was drained. We all were.
I only had enough energy to stand, to hold Annika close and to keep Aiden within reach.
The people were happy. Everyone was safe. That was all that mattered.
But I wanted to be inside my home, surrounded by my family.
That night, Aiden curled up in his own bed for the first time in what felt like forever.
Annika sat beside him, stroking his hair and humming softly the same lullaby she always used to sing when he was little. The melody was barely a whisper, but I could see the way it comforted him.
I stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching them. The soft glow of the lantern cast a golden light over them, flickering against the walls. I smiled noticing that it turned Annika’s hair into molten gold. Aiden’s small fingers curled around hers, clinging, even in sleep.
She didn’t move, just kept watching him, her own breathing shallow.
“He’s safe,” I murmured.
Annika nodded, but I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. “I know.” Her voice was quiet, but there was something else beneath it. A hesitation.
I pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. “But?”
She sighed, her gaze never leaving Aiden’s face. “I keep thinking… what if we had been too late? What if I—”
I crouched beside her, taking her free hand. “We weren’t.”
Her fingers tightened around mine. “But next time—”
“There won’t be a next time,” I cut her off.
She looked at me then, her eyes searching mine. I didn’t know what she saw there, but slowly, she nodded. We sat like that, in silence for a long time, just watching over Aiden. Nothing else.
Finally, Annika exhaled and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Aiden’s forehead. “Sleep well, my love.”
Aiden mumbled something incoherent in his sleep, his grip finally loosening on her hand.
Annika stood, swaying slightly. I caught her waist before she could fall, steadying her against me.
“You need to sleep too,” I murmured.
She wobbled the moment we stepped out of Aiden’s room. Her knees buckled, and I caught her before she hit the floor.
“Lucas…” she murmured, trying to push me away. “I can walk.”
“No, you can’t.” I scooped her up, ignoring her half-hearted protest. She was too weak to fight me, too exhausted to argue. Her head fell against my chest, her breath warm through my shirt. She was so light, like a feather.
The darkness inside me roared, that beast clawing at my insides, wanting blood, vengeance. But there was no one left to kill. No one left to punish.
Only Annika, fragile in my arms.
I carried her to our room, laying her down as gently as I could. Her fingers curled into my shirt, not letting go. Her eyes fluttered open, the green in them dim.
“I’ll be right here,” I promised, brushing the hair from her face. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She relaxed, her hand slipping from my shirt, her head sinking into the pillow. But her eyes stayed on me, heavy-lidded and lingering. “I was so scared…” Her voice almost broke. “I thought… I thought I’d never see you again.”
My chest tightened, that familiar ache spreading through me. “I thought the same.” I paused for a moment, letting my gaze linger on her. “It’s over now. We’re safe.”
She stretched her arms out to me and hung them around my neck. Then, she pulled herself up on the bed. Gently, she pressed her lips to mine.
“I will always love you,” she whispered. “I love every part of you, with all your scars and demons…”
I smiled against her lips. “That is the most wonderful thing anyone ever said to me.”
“There are more things I would like to say to you,” she murmured seductively, as her hand slipped between our bodies, awakening my desire so easily, as she always did.
“Really?” I grinned. “Now? Aren’t you exhausted from this ordeal?”
She looked at me playfully. “What better way to get my blood going than this?”
I shook my head incredulously, but there was no way in hell I would refuse what she was offering.
“I know just the right thing,” I replied with equal playfulness and gently laid her on the bed.
“You do?” she asked, unable to stop smiling.
I spread her legs, admiring the view. She wasn’t wearing any panties underneath her nightgown.
“You were planning this all along, weren’t you?” I teased.
“Maybe,” she replied, and only one corner of her luscious lips curved into a smile.
Annika. Annika. Annika.
Her name had become a chant inside my mind, a melody to the steady beating of my heart.
I felt her lift her hips to me, offering herself to me. She had no idea what it did to me, and now, I had to be gentle. She knew exactly how to drive me mad with desire, to the very brink of insanity and then tenderly, guide me back to safety.
Her breasts heaved through the thin fabric of her nightgown. Her nipples peeked through, lifting then falling gently, as she breathed, as she waited for me.
My fingers traced invisible lines between her inner thighs, and she giggled.
“That tickles!” she managed to muster.
“Shhh,” I whispered, kissing her knee, then moving slowly upward. “You’ll wake up Aiden.”
“Mhm,” she pressed her hand to her own lips, promising to be quiet.
I licked her pussy just once, desperate to taste her. She moaned through her hand. Her eyes widened in pleasure immediately. I loved how wet she already was.
I slid my finger inside of her, then I gazed at her, her eyes filled with lust. I took her into my mouth, devouring her fragrant essence. I spread her legs even wider open. I wanted all of her.
I listened to the sound of her breathing, telling me how close she was. She grabbed her own breasts, squeezing them, barely able to control herself. I knew that feeling well. I was on the verge of exploding myself, exhausted and completely out of it, but I needed her desperately, just as much as she needed me.
I curled my finger at just the right angle, just the way she liked it, keeping her clit in my mouth, while my tongue flicked over her swollen bud. I wanted to grab my cock at that moment, but if I did, I would have exploded right then and there. And I wanted to be inside of her slick, wet heat. I couldn’t go a moment longer without it.
“Oh, Lucas…” she whispered, and that was when I tasted the delicious juice of her pleasure, dripping out of her. I kept sucking more and more, absorbing her pulsations, feeling her insides throb with my fingers.
When I lifted my gaze to meet hers, she looked dreamier than ever before. She reached out for me, cupping my face and I gently adjusted myself between her still trembling thighs. I wanted to remember her as she was, like this, forever. I wanted to have this image imprinted into my memory for as long as I lived, because I had never been happier than I was at this very moment, holding her in my arms, knowing that finally, I was where I was always meant to be.
“Have you any idea how beautiful you are?” I couldn’t help but tell her, although I’m sure she knew this. “How much I want you? How much I love you?”
“Lucas…” she smiled sweetly, and it was the way she said my name. It sent a bolt of pleasure through me, it reminded me that there would never be anyone else for me… ever.
“Never stop saying my name,” I pleaded. “Never…”
She pulled me closer, kissing my lips which were still wet from her juices. She didn’t mind. And I loved that she didn’t mind. We were one, as we were, and we would never again be separated by anyone.
I was gentle as I claimed her. Our bodies moved in unison, together. We kept kissing each other passionately, touching each other’s faces and bodies, as if we were getting acquainted with each other for the very first time. And just like always, I fell in love with her over and over again.
We both came together, trembling in each other’s arms. But even then, we didn’t let go of each other. The room was quiet. All I could hear was the beating of my own heart.
I glanced at the windows. The moonlight was pouring in, casting silvery patterns across the sheets which were tangled around our legs.
I closed my eyes, my hand sliding up her spine, feeling the smooth line of her back and the gentle curve of her shoulder. She was warm, so warm, and she fit against me perfectly, like she was made to be here, in my arms.
I pulled her closer, lingering there as I breathed her in, the scent of her hair, her skin, her. She sighed, soft and content, her body melting against mine, trusting me to keep her safe, to keep her warm. And I would. I’d protect her with everything I had.
She nestled against me, her head finding its place beneath my chin, her hand resting over my heart. I wrapped my arms around her, my body curving around hers, shielding her, holding her close. She was mine. And I was hers. Always.
“Don’t ever leave me,” she whispered, so quietly I almost missed it.
My chest tightened, my arms locking around her. “Never,” I vowed, my voice fierce, unwavering. “I’ll never leave you. Not as long as I live.”
She sighed, her body relaxing against mine, trusting me, believing me. And that trust, that faith, it shattered me. It made me want to be better, to be worthy of her.
I didn’t sleep. I didn’t dare close my eyes, not when she was here, safe in my arms, warm and beautiful and mine. I watched her, memorizing every line of her face, every curve, every breath, branding her into my soul.
She was everything. My light. My love. My salvation. And I’d fight the darkness itself to keep her safe.
I pressed another kiss to her hair, holding her close, my heart thundering in my chest as I whispered into the quiet night, “Mine. Always.”