Chapter 29 - Willow
Willow
After a lot of debate, we decided that going back inside the book was the best plan for finishing this series.
It would give us a little extra time to write while being grounded in the source material.
Plus, it was their home, and I liked it there, too.
There was a magical quality to their world that just couldn’t be replicated outside.
Nyssa and Oren had grumbled about it, but the library had thankfully overruled them. Misty believed I’d get out when I really wanted to, just like the last time.
Which was how we’d ended up at this beautiful hot springs inn, walking down the rich wooden halls on the way to our rooms. A faint mineral scent drifted on the air, making me want to explore outside as soon as possible.
The back of Thorne’s hand brushed against mine, sending a pleasant shiver through me.
This was the first time I’d fought with a guy and actually kept seeing him.
Usually when we called it quits, that was it.
Thorne was too important to let go of that easily though. I laced my fingers through his, securing him to me. His eyes widened, but before I could say anything our hostess stopped.
“This will be your room for the duration of your stay,” she said. “Staff will bring meals three times a day at the appointed times, but feel free to visit the springs whenever you’d like.”
She slid two large pocket doors open to reveal a room that looked like it was meant for a large group.
Dark wood flooring stretched out in front of us with cushions scattered everywhere and at least six futons stacked in the corner.
A table in the middle already had snacks on it with a steaming pot of tea ready to drink.
The hostess bowed like she was about to leave us there, but I turned back. “Wait, we’re all staying together?”
She paused, glancing at Leo with a confused expression. “I thought that’s what you wanted?”
“Absolutely.” Leo grinned. “It’ll be a great team-building experience. Nothing like sharing the same space to get in each other’s minds and really work together well.”
That was so not how life worked, but I didn’t have the heart to crush his excitement. Besides, staying in the same room as Thorne wouldn’t be too terrible... I glanced over at him, but his shadows were already filling the room as a deep sigh escaped his lips.
“I never should have let Leo handle our reservations.” He glared at the hero before turning to me. “Sorry about this. I can get you a room for yourself if you want.”
Dain stepped closer, fist over his heart. “Leave it to me, my lord. I’ll resolve this matter quickly.”
“But where’s the fun in that?” Leo asked, leaning Dawnbreaker against the wall. “What do you think?”
The sword hummed, glowing faintly as its words reverberated through us. “I think I’m going to rust if we stay here too long. Where we sleep doesn’t matter.”
Inkheart swooped in front of us. Didn’t think a holy sword would be scared of a little steam. Just wait until you fall in love, then you’ll really be in trouble.
While Dain and Thorne glowered at the room, everyone else started settling in. Even Cinder hopped from cushion to cushion, arriving at a small plate of hay the staff must have left just for her. It was sweet and I couldn’t picture a better place to write this last book in.
“It’s perfect.” I squeezed Thorne’s hand softly. “I usually write alone, but this will make sure I’m surrounded by wonderful people. I love it.”
Leo beamed at me from across the room. “See? I knew she’d like it! So get on board, shadow boy.”
“Shadow boy??” Thorne’s voice rumbled as his shadows coiled around Leo, practically drowning him in darkness until Dawnbreaker lit up to banish them.
The hero held up his hands, laughing. “I’m sorry! Let’s just get along and work on the book, okay? Where should we start?”
Thorne pulled my manuscript out from his robes. “You start by reading this. You and Dain need to catch up before we can talk.”
I frowned. “Don’t you mean all of you do? You only read the last chapter I wrote.”
“No, I read all of it.” His eyes softened. “Every word, Willow. I’d never miss out on something you wrote. I was just too curious that night, needing to see where my story ended. Now I know that it doesn’t matter, because my story ends with you.”
Inkheart scrawled a message as butterflies danced in my stomach. Thorne seemed so confident now, so in charge of his life. Gone was the man who’d worried about what he should say or do. He seemed to know exactly what he wanted now and apparently, that was...me.
Maybe you two should find a cozy hot spring to yourselves for a while. Get a little alone time, if you know what I mean.
“That actually sounds great.” I grinned at the pen before moving to the other side of the room. Beautiful sliding doors opened up into a garden viewing area outside and the mineral scent grew stronger. “Care to join me, Thorne?”
“More than anything.” He pressed my manuscript against Dain’s chest and followed me outside without another glance at anyone else.
Dawnbreaker and Inkheart started arguing the moment we left the room, but I let it all drift away, wandering through the gardens hand in hand with Thorne.
It reminded me of the last time we’d been in a garden.
The sun had been setting back then, too.
Soon we’d be in a beautiful moonlit hot spring together and my stomach was already in knots just thinking about it.
I’d never let a man in like this before, not really.
He’d seen my good sides and my bad and he was still here, walking along beside me like our fight never happened.
Was this what it meant to be in an actual relationship?
It felt really nice, like we had so much room to grow from here.
I finally saw what Gran had been talking about.
I’d cut myself off from having a real life and any real relationships long ago.
It was about time I let myself experience more of what this life of mine had to offer.
The air grew more humid the closer we got to the hot springs and different scents filled the air, some floral, some citrusy, and even a hint of chamomile, which meant the inn probably had multiple baths to choose from!
Thorne laughed softly. “Which bath do you want to try first?”
“Herbal, definitely herbal.”
He nodded as we finally reached the changing area.
I went into the women’s side and left my clothes in a basket before I showered and pinned my hair up.
Then I wrapped a thin towel around myself and stepped into the wonder of the real hot springs area.
The air itself was invigorating, like health and healing vibes were filling me up before I even stepped into the water.
Thorne joined me a few moments later, his upper chest completely bare with just a small towel slung around his hips.
Suddenly, the thought of bathing alone with him under the moonlight was making me a little light-headed.
A drop of water ran down his arm, slowly falling off his finger to the ground.
I swallowed hard. This bath was going to take all my self-restraint.
A faint blush tinged his cheeks. “Uh, are you ready to go?”
“Mmhmm.”
A non-verbal answer was about all I could manage. I didn’t trust myself not to say something ridiculous like how absolutely beautiful he was. Honestly, whoever made him a villain didn’t know what they were talking about. Not unless it was supposed to be a romance novel.
The scent of herbs surrounded us as we moved toward a faintly green bath with herbs floating in it.
The scent of lavender and chamomile relaxed my senses as I sat down at the edge of the bath, dangling my legs in the warm water to slowly acclimate to it.
Steam rose around us, carrying the wonderfully earthy aroma of plants.
It made me feel like we were back home again, in the shop surrounded by herbs.
Thorne joined me, leaning back on his hands as he gazed up at the sky. “I’m glad you came back with us. I didn’t like the idea that one thoughtless comment from me might have ruined your dream.”
“It’s not like that.” I scooted a little closer until my shoulder almost brushed against his.
“I was actually on my way to find you when you showed up at the shop. I wanted to apologize for leaving like that, without even asking what you meant or what you were feeling.” I stared at a chamomile flower floating across the water, lowering my voice.
“I never meant to tell you who you should be. I’ve always wanted you to be whoever you wanted to be, and I’m sorry I let my fears stop me from checking in with you more on that. ”
He pulled his gaze from the sky to look at me. “Were you really coming back?”
“Of course I was, but you beat me to it.” A smile tugged at my lips as I bumped my knee against his. “Thank you for that. I was so surprised to see you there, but it was like we both knew we needed to see each other again at the exact same time.”
“The castle wasn’t the same without you,” he mumbled before sliding into the water. He leaned back, offering me his hand. “I’m not the same without you. You make me better, and I hope I can do the same for you.”
I slipped into the water next to him as the heat overtook me for a moment. “Does this mean...that we’re together now?”
“I would like nothing more, Willow.” He took my hand again, pressing it against his lips. “I’m yours for however long you want me.”
Steam curled around us, hiding the fact that we’d both left our towels on the ledge.
It wasn’t proper to take them in the bath, but now I felt more exposed than ever.
Except, I wasn’t nervous about it or awkward.
I wanted him to see me for who I really was, every fear, every anxious moment of doubt, and every joyful win.
I wanted him to know every part of me, more than anyone else ever had.
“Then I want you for forever,” I whispered.
“Somewhere along the line life stopped being fun without you around. I want our story to keep going, with all its twists and turns. I want to know the real you, the you that you are now and the you that you’ll become.
I want all of it.” I reached out to brush a damp strand of hair behind his ear, running my fingers over his strong jawline. “I’m in love with you, Thorne.”
He cupped my hand in his, pressing it against his cheek as his eyes closed for a moment. He kissed the inside of the wrist, his lips soft and tender. When his eyes opened, they were shining with the moon’s reflection. I could get lost in those purple eyes of his and I felt myself moving closer.
He leaned down, his hair brushing against my bare shoulder, but he paused. “Are you sure about this? I don’t think I can handle it if you disappear again.”
“I’m sure. I’m not running away anymore, not from you, or my writing.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, hoping he could feel my sincerity.
Being with him had changed my life in so many ways. He’d given me the courage to go after what I wanted even if it hurt. That pain was just a small ripple in the water compared to all the wonderful moments in life, and I knew there would be so many of those with him by my side.
“Let’s write something amazing together.” I smiled against his lips, not afraid of the ending this time. Because with Thorne, the possibilities were endless.