Chapter 51 #2
“I’ll have it torn down,” he promises. “You’ll never go back in it.”
An image of the cage flashes through my mind. I went through so much while I was in it. I came close to death because I felt grief so strong that I thought it would drown me.
And when my feelings for Gavriil started to deepen despite everything, I was in there.
“Don’t,” I say, making his forehead crease in surprise. “The cage taught me how to survive anything. To not give up. You kept me from withering away and becoming nothing after Archer’s death.”
Gavriil places his fingertips on my cheek, drawing me close to press a soft kiss against my lips. “I’m sorry that he hurt you. That he crossed lines that left me no choice. He would’ve eventually gotten you killed…”
I know that’s as close to an apology as I’ll ever get from Gavriil.
But I no longer blame him for Archer’s death.
My brother always made bad decisions, took too many risks, and he got himself killed for them.
It wasn’t my fault or Dom’s or Gavriil’s that Archer was a selfish thief.
Gavriil may never say it outright, but I know he regrets his decision, not because of what Archer did but because of how his death affected me.
I lean into Gavriil, feeling the relief and care in every brush of his lips. When I break away and see the affection for me as clear as day in his blue eyes, I can’t hold back the words any longer.
“I forgive you,” I whisper. “And I love you too, Gavriil.”
He breathes in sharply. My heart aches as I realize how surprised he is by me saying both of those things to him. He doesn’t believe he deserves love. Or forgiveness. Maybe he doesn’t.
But I’m going to give them to him anyway.
“I love you so much,” he tells me as he strokes my cheek. “I have for longer than I even realized.”
I smile as warmth blooms in my chest from his honesty.
“Thank you for finally saying it in English,” I tell him as I press my lips to his. “I don’t have to go tonight. Do you want me to stay? To sleep in here with you?” I ask because I don’t want to leave him, especially not after hearing him say he loves me for the very first time.
“No,” he says gently, which is surprising. “You should go back to Dominik. I doubt if he gets any sleep when you’re not beside him.”
Frowning, I ask, “Are you sure? Dom won’t mind. He was sound asleep when I left.”
“Go. I’ll see you both at breakfast.”
Confused and a little sad that he doesn’t want me to stay, I kiss him goodnight before leaving with his sweet gift.
I go back down the hallway to the room I’ve been staying in.
Opening the red velvet box holding my key collection, I add the new gold ones.
My eyes water as I take in the sight of all the old ones.
It’s a box of made-up stories, and a few real ones that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Leaving them, I decide to return to Dominik’s bedroom.
Just as Gavriil predicted, Dom is awake again, sitting up in bed with his cell phone in his hands in the glow of the soft light from the bedside lamp. He gives me a small smile and sets his phone down on the nightstand. “You’re back.”
“Were you waiting up for me?” I ask him.
“I sleep better with you in my arms,” Dom admits as he pulls back the blanket for me.
I start to climb back into his bed but stop.
Given what we just confessed, it doesn’t feel right to not be with Gavriil tonight.
And how would he know if Dom doesn’t sleep as well when I’m not beside him unless…unless he doesn’t either.
“What’s wrong?” Dom asks noticing the tension in my body.
“How would you feel about letting Gavriil sleep in here with us? Nothing more than that,” I’m quick to add. “Just let him sleep next to us so he’s not alone all night.”
A flicker of nervousness fills my stomach as I wait for Dom’s answer, unsure of how he will feel about my request.
“Go get him.”
My heart soars, and I lean over the bed to kiss his cheek. I then run back to Gavriil’s room.
It’s such a small thing in the grand scheme of all that we’ve done together, but it means a lot to me to have them both next to me at the same time.
I knock on Gavriil’s closed door and wait, eventually hearing approaching footsteps from inside.
He opens the door looking surprised to see me again. “Everything okay, printsessa?”
“Come sleep in the bed with us,” I tell him.
Gavriil tilts his head to the side. “What?”
“I don’t sleep well without you there, too,” I say. “And Dominik is fine with it. Come sleep with us. Please?”
Gavriil thinks about it for another moment, but I know he won’t refuse this. “Lead the way.”
I take his hand and pull him along to Dominik’s room, butterflies filling my stomach as we approach the bed. “We’re only sleeping,” I warn him over my shoulder.
Gavriil smirks a little at my warning, but he nods in understanding.
I get back into bed first and lay on my side, smiling as Gavriil spoons me from behind with his hand resting on my waist.
He presses a gentle kiss against the top of my head, the warmth of his body enveloping me.
Dominik turns off the light, then rolls onto his side to face me, tucking his arm under my pillow. He holds my hand with his free one between us, his eyes meeting mine. “Good?”
“I’m perfect,” I say, feeling safer and more cherished than I’ve ever felt before.
Tucked between them, nothing can reach me. Nothing can hurt me.
For the first time in my life, I actually know what I want, and I’m determined to have it.
I don’t want to live a life haunted by regret and guilt for Archer. And I don’t want to go through this life alone.
While I may not know what the future looks like for the three of us, I don’t need to. I’m done surviving alone. Whatever comes next, good or bad, we’ll face it together.
And for the first time in my life, that feels like home.