Chapter 11 Falling Hard #2
The tense muscles in my neck relax as the act between her and the bastard ends, and the quiet stillness of the night takes over.
I breathe in deeply, awareness that I was holding my breath slamming into me as oxygen at last soothes the burn in my lungs.
I couldn’t stand to smell his arousal any longer or taste his scent in the air.
As I watch Nora’s breathing, the rise and fall of her delicate chest beneath the silky covers, I wish for nothing more than the chance to caress her forehead until she falls asleep the way I used to.
To whisper goodnight against her ear and hold her until the sun rises again.
The man, Ere, has a sloppy, satisfied grin plastered to his face as he wraps his overly muscular arms around her.
I would give anything to be him in this moment. I’d kill to take his place.
Until the day she becomes a celestial, until she knows the truth of what we are to one another, I have no choice but to let her live out her human existence and be with whoever the hell she chooses to be with, even if it kills me.
I’ll continue letting my own fragile heart break, as long as she’s happy.
Raising my palms, I send a new wave of light around the home to shield her from any harm, the old shield dimming away.
Katie is supposed to be here soon to do the same, sending up protective wards of shimmering blue.
Anyone or anything who wishes Nora harm and passes through our barriers will alert our senses immediately as long as we remain in the same realm.
Stepping back, I gaze at the white light surrounding her house, then smile as Katie’s blue dome of protection goes up around it, the glittering colors blending to become one.
Glancing over my shoulder, I nod and she does the same.
She wiggles her fingers in a small wave, her magic glowing on her fingertips and stretching across the beach, wrapping me up in comforting waves of positivity and peace.
She’s sending me a message. Everything will be okay.
She knows I’m hurting. She senses the struggle simmering deep inside of me, ready to burst into sparks of electricity and chaotic waves.
I close my eyes and let her power wash over me, allowing the anger and frustration to fade away.
Focusing on the waves crashing along the shore, I force them to slow and die out until the water is unnaturally calm and still.
I smile as she clasps her hands together in front of her, her white cloud of hair wild and untamed in the breeze until I compel the wind to subside, letting her hair fall still behind her back.
It’s my way of telling her I’m okay. My emotions do not rule me.
Fear does not rule me. I’m thankful for her calming presence in this moment.
Mio would send me into a blissful, never-ending pit of false happiness if it were up to him.
Katie teleports to my side and places her tiny hand on my shoulder. “Everything will be okay soon, Kairos. I think you should talk to her. We both should.” Her glowing eyes swirl to life.
“What if she never loves me, Katie? What if she loves him too much to let him go?” I sigh, closing my eyes and breathing in her calming, warm energy. “She might never remember what I meant to her.”
“Well, you will never know if you don’t try.
” Her voice goes up an octave as her lips curve into a smile.
“Someone I once loved made the mistake of holding in words they wanted to speak and letting hope die before it ever had the chance to bloom. Do not let the hope in your heart die, Kairos. Let it live. She will remember everything one day, and she will love you even more because you never gave up on her. Whatever she has with him will feel like nothing. It is nothing.”
Katie was asked to protect Nora by the rulers of the realms because a new queen rising must be safeguarded at all costs.
She’s the only one from the realms who is trusted by each realm leader, even Ourahnus who hasn’t spoken to any of my people since the day we fell from his realm.
Her ability to bring unity and peace is like nothing I’ve seen before.
She has a way of making everyone adore her.
There’s a magic in that ability alone. I haven’t known her for long, but I see why Nora loves her.
She always knows what to say, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
“I’m sure you’re right. Just… a bad night to be me, that’s all. I’ll be fine.” I straighten my shoulders and hold my head high.
Mio is right. I’m being dramatic.
“Hey, Katie!”
Speak of the devil and the devil shall come.
“Mio, please. Not tonight. Let Katie have a moment of peace.” I give him a stern look of warning, but I know it won’t matter.
“How’s it going, little witch? Want to get out of here and grab a drink?
? Or dinner or even breakfast tomorrow, if that works better for you?
I am all yours if you’ll have me.” He runs a hand through his hair, smiling as he adjusts his wings and puts one hand on his hip and one on her bicep, pretending he has any semblance of swagger.
She removes his hand with two fingers, letting it fall to his side. “I will not be having anything with you, Bromios, not now or ever. Thank you, though.” She tilts her head and her nose crinkles as she gives him a forced smile. “Let me know if you or Nora need me, Kairos.”
She’s gone before I can even blink. Turning to Mio, I slap his chest with the back of my hand as laughter spills out of me. For a moment I’m thankful to have a distraction from the heartbreak and pain of my own life, instead focusing on the embarrassment of his.
“That was good, bro. Almost as good as the last fifteen times you’ve tried and failed at flirting with her.” Shaking my head, I walk away, still laughing under my breath.
“All it takes is one yes. She’s just playing hard to get, man. One day she’ll surprise us both and give me a chance. You’ll see.” He jogs to me as I open a portal to send him home.
“It’s late. Check on our soldiers and let me know if there’s anything at all they need. I’ll meet up with you tomorrow.”
“Try not to cry too much, Ro. You’ll have permanent eye bags soon if you aren’t careful.” He laughs as he faces the portal.
“Ha-ha. You’re hilarious. Go.” I wave a hand, sending a heavy breeze hurtling toward him, helping him along.
“Fate is on your side, Kairos. Remember that. It’s all going to be okay.” The portal closes and he’s gone, thank the gods.
I’ll stay a little longer. I know I should rest, especially after the heaviness today brought with it, the feelings stirring within my soul that I can no longer ignore or pretend aren’t real.
I know the truth. My heart is no longer my own.
It belongs to Nora. It always has. As difficult and painful as all of this is, I know I must be patient.
One day, Nora will be the most beautiful queen to ever exist in the celestial realms, but more importantly…
It will be me who stands beside her at the throne, because she will be mine. She is mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.