36. Bree
Bree
We move through the forest in silence, the daisies lighting our path like stars fallen to earth. Riley stumbles between Wes and me, her weight shared, her breathing steadier now. Behind us, the caravan follows—all those footsteps moving as one.
Thane leads, silver eyes cutting through the dark. Gray ranges ahead in half-shift, senses sharp. Rhett’s flames pulse steady, anchoring the center of our formation. Jace and Stellan flank the sides. Seth brings up the rear, silent as always.
The forest feels different now. Lighter, like it’s been holding its breath and finally let go.
Another set of footsteps behind us—quick but unhurried.
I glance back. Silver-rimmed eyes catch the light.
Zira.
“Sources say the sanctuary’s empty,” she calls, falling into step beside Thane.
I slow, turning. “Empty?”
She nods, then spots Riley and stops short—double-take, eyes wide.
“Oh.”
“She’s with us,” I say quietly.
Zira’s gaze flicks to me, then back to Riley. “Looks that way.” Another beat. “Phil and the Counsel are already moving. They’re calling it theirs now. The sanctuary. Determined to keep what they’ve ‘reclaimed.’ Should be here in a few days.”
Thane mutters a curse under his breath. Stellan’s jaw tightens .
“That gives us a few days. Then we’ll show them what reclaimed really means,” I say.
The words come out steadier than I feel. But they’re true.
The group keeps moving, faster now. Riley leans heavier on Wes, exhaustion catching up. I ease back, letting them move ahead.
Theo’s a few steps behind, eyes distant but aware. Always aware.
I fall into step beside him.
He glances at me, the corner of his mouth lifting. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I look ahead at the others, at Riley’s silhouette between Wes and Gray now. “I think so.”
“You did good back there.”
“I did what felt right.”
“That’s the same thing,” he says quietly.
We walk in silence for a moment, the forest breathing around us. The daisies glow brighter where our feet touch the earth, like the land itself is welcoming us home.
“You said that to me once,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “That thing about being seen.”
Theo’s steps slow, just slightly. “I remember.”
“Back when none of us knew what we were doing.”
His mouth twitches. “Still not sure we do.”
I laugh—soft, unexpected. “Maybe not. But it’s still true. What you said.”
He looks at me then, really looks at me, and something in his expression shifts. Softens.
“You don’t have to be whole to be worthy of being seen,” I whisper, echoing the words I just gave Riley. The words he gave me first.
The Ether hums low in my chest, answering the truth of it .
Theo stops walking.
I stop too, turning to face him.
The forest holds its breath around us. The caravan moves ahead, giving us space without seeming to notice. Or maybe they notice and just… let us have this moment.
“Bree—” he starts, but I don’t let him finish.
I step forward and kiss him.
It’s not tentative. Not questioning. Just… real.
For half a heartbeat, he goes still—surprised.
Then he moves.
His hand comes up to cup my face, thumb brushing my cheek as he tilts my head back and takes the kiss deeper. Bold. Certain. This is Theo I’ve never seen before—Theo who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to claim it.
His other arm slides around my waist, pulling me closer, and I feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat against my chest. The Ether rises between us, warm, present, right.
When we finally pull apart, I’m breathless.
He’s smiling—really smiling—and it transforms his whole face.
“I’ve wanted to do that for years,” he says quietly.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because you weren’t ready.” His thumb traces my jaw. “And I would’ve waited forever if that’s what you needed.”
My throat tightens. “I’m still not whole, Theo. I’m still—”
“I know.” He leans his forehead against mine. “And I don’t care. You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be.”
The words break something open in my chest—something that’s been locked tight for so long I forgot it was there .
I kiss him again, softer this time. A promise instead of a question.
When we pull back, the forest has gone quiet. The caravan’s moved ahead, giving us space, but I can see Rhett’s flames in the distance, waiting.
“And somehow you still manage to surprise me,” he says running his fingers down my arm. He takes my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“Come on,” he says gently. “Let’s go home.”
We catch up to the others, and no one says anything. But I feel the shift—the way Gray’s shoulders relax slightly, the way Jace’s grin widens just a fraction. The way Rhett glances back and nods once, approval clear in his eyes.
Ahead, the forest begins to thin.
The first outline of the sanctuary appears through the trees—stone and light, waiting.
“Home,” I whisper.
And for the first time in my life, the word feels true.