Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
"Anna." Torin's soft, hesitant voice broke the silence as he pressed his side to me.
He spoke in a low voice, although I was sure Seraphina could hear us, but she averted her gaze and waved at someone.
I lifted my gaze to meet him. I remembered what my uncle had told me when he encouraged me to forgive Layla for ruining my calligraphy workbook when we were eight—forgiveness was a choice to let go of anger, even when I felt hurt.
My heart ached, torn between buried anger and my genuine love for him that went beyond the mate bond.
Nodding, I filled my cheeks with air and exhaled loudly.
Torin remained silent for a moment, his eyes searching mine as if looking for answers in their depths.
“You’re hesitating, little witch wolf. Sometimes you look at me like I’m your whole world,” he whispered, smiling. “And sometimes as if I’m the villain.”
“I’ve never thought of you as the villain, Torin,” I said. “I’m… I’m trying to work through my emotions.”
“Then talk to me.” His amber eyes never left mine. “I understand that you can’t accept me, but I’ll do everything to make things right by you.”
Not long ago, I was the one who pleaded with Torin to talk to me.
“I’ve accepted you as you are, Torin, a long time ago. All I’ve ever wanted for you was to heal.”
The cool breeze brushed over my exposed skin, sending tiny trembles down my spine.
“I’m trying to move past the pain of losing Uncle Derek. It… It’s hard to forget about him when you’re next to me,” I said in a low voice, casting my gaze to the flickering fire.
“I’m sorry,” he said, placing his large hand over my knee. “I should have been stronger and blocked Victoria’s compulsion…”
An awkward silence fell between us.
Could he have really stopped himself from killing Uncle Derek? I gave my head a slight shake. No, Torin wasn’t as strong back then as he was now. I was nine when he murdered my uncle and twenty-six when Torin broke free from his master’s control.
Just like me, Torin needed time to build his strength. I had forgiven Torin, but that didn’t help with my achy heart.
I peered at his face and took a deep breath, allowing the warmth of the fire to seep into my bones. It was difficult, but I needed to find a way through the pain and grief that had settled in my heart. My uncle's wise words echoed in my mind—holding on to anger would only poison me.
"Forgiving you doesn't change the past, and it doesn't mean my heart isn't still broken. But holding on to anger won't help either of us," I said.
His eyes widened, surprise flooding his features before relief washed over him. "You really mean it?"
"I do," I said, my voice steadier now.
"Thank you," Torin murmured, squeezing my knee gently.
He probably didn’t even realize that he always found a way to touch me as if to stay connected with me.
Standing, Torin extended his hand to me with a genuine smile tugging on his lips. I placed my hand in his, and he pulled me up on my feet. Past the shadows where other couples were intertwined, we strolled down a street toward the brush and trees.
Reaching a thick tree, I let out a sigh. At least there were still some bright colors and alive trees standing. Moving behind one, I undressed. The rustling of clothes sounded, and I guessed Torin did the same.
Closing my eyes, I focused on my shift, calling on my wolf spirit. I allowed my body to transform, shedding my human form for that of the wolf within me.
I still couldn’t believe that with the shift, my bracelet—the cherished symbol of my witch heritage—disappeared, retreating with my human side. It would reappear as I shifted back into my human form, a comforting reminder of who I truly was.
The world around me seemed sharper, more vibrant, as I embraced the spirit of my wolf.
Behind the tree, Torin had shifted into his magnificent silver wolf, his fur glistening in the moonlight. I padded to the wolf, and we stood side by side, our breaths mingling in the cool air.
Our connection hummed with renewed strength, binding us together. The silver wolf barked, nodding his head, and then he was off. I pursued him.
Moonlight bathed the fairy city streets in a silver glow as Torin and I raced through the night as wolves.
The wind whipped through my fur. We darted around corners and leaped over obstacles, reveling in the freedom that our wolf forms granted us.
We left everything and everyone behind, and it was just us, lost in the thrill of the chase.
Vines and brush entwined the cottages, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. The walls of the buildings seemed to be made of sparkling shells that emitted a soft light.
As we raced around the fields, Torin’s wolf nudged me gently, brushing against my cheek. I met his gaze, my eyes drawn to the crimson depths.
With my heightened senses, I took in the breathtaking beauty of the fairy world. The radiant colors, the shimmering leaves, and the melodic birdsong—a little piece of bliss untouched by Cordelia’s dark magic.
It was incredible to think that the fairies had managed to hide and protect this sanctuary from destruction like the rest of their realm. But as Seraphina had confirmed, it wouldn't last.
This fairy city was doomed, too.
As we trotted forward, I noticed the subtle signs of the forest's struggle. Flowers wilted under the encroaching shadow, and the once radiant greenery showed hints of decay. It was a sharp contrast to the enchanting beauty that still managed to shine through.
As we slowed, a pool of liquid silver nestled between trees with drying leaves appeared. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on what looked like a lake.
The water was retreating, and soon, the water fairies wouldn’t have this lake. When the lake dried, the guardian fairies would have to move to build a new home, exposing them to possible capture.
I approached the lake, its vibrant gray water sparkling beneath the moon. The surface seemed to beckon me, and I couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.
As my paw grazed the water, ripples spread in circular waves, traveling toward the deep. A fountain in the middle of the lake depicted a sculptured fairy with delicate wings. Water streamed from her hands and mouth, accompanied by the soft sound of trickling water that chimed like a lullaby.
Once the fairy King took over the last remaining fairy city, would he move on to the human realm? The thought struck me hard, causing a cold chill to cut through my body.
The silver wolf nudged me on my flank, pointing with his muzzle toward the distance.
He dashed around the pool of water, and I followed.
As we paced away from the lake, we came across an area behind a tree where the wall of illusion seemed to thin out and fade.
I could see the rest of the fairy city in ruins nearby.
If I could see out, then the dark fairies could see in, and it was only a matter of time before they discovered the last standing city.
Torin’s wolf and I exchanged looks of understanding. We allowed our bodies to transform, returning to our human forms. We didn't have any clothes on, but it wasn't so awkward with him anymore.
My skin tingled at Torin’s proximity. As I looked into his eyes, he reached out and cupped my cheek gently, and I leaned into his touch, craving the warmth of his skin against mine.
In that instant, it was as if the world outside ceased to exist. It was just him and me, standing by the tranquil waters of the lake, forgetting my worries about the werewolf kingdom and my parents, the doom of the fairy realm, and the danger of the fairy King and his son.
He breathed in and pulled me close, capturing my lips in a tender, passionate kiss. Our bodies melded together as our mouths moved in perfect harmony. The cool night air caressed my naked flesh, but the heat between us was all-consuming, even overwhelming.
I trailed my fingers along the strong lines of Torin's back, feeling the power that emanated from him even in this gentle embrace. Then I slid my hand to his shoulder and over the bumpy scars there. Along with the old ones, he had a few additional ones from the last time Victoria captured him.
His body trembled under my touch, but he didn’t pull away. He let me explore his skin, closing his eyes as if he enjoyed my touch.
"I want to share myself completely with you, Torin," I whispered against his lips, my need for him igniting.
My heart raced, and I tried to steady my shaky hands. I’d exposed my heart to him, seeking something he wanted to offer me. But I could no longer keep my feelings and need for him buried, even though I was marked by another.
Torin wasn’t the only one who needed to heal.
Locking eyes with him, I wondered if he could hear the silent plea in my voice.
I might have escaped the bedchamber where Hayden locked me up, but I hadn’t escaped his grasp on me. He’d marked me for life. And I would never be able to fully belong to Torin as long as those tribal mating marks snaked around my chest and shoulders.
But right now, all I wanted was Torin’s love—to feel the way he connected to me with his body and soul. Would he give me what I wanted?
Torin’s eyes burned with desire.
"I'll show you, Anna," he whispered.
As I relaxed into Torin's embrace by the lake, his warm breath sent shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the scent of his skin—a mixture of earthy and pine scents.
I opened my eyes again. “Show me what?”
“Love,” he whispered.
My heart raced as his strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Our bodies molded together like two puzzle pieces, feeling natural and right.
I smiled and traced his jawline with my fingertips, feeling the warmth of his skin. Leaning in, I placed a tender kiss on his lips. His mouth felt warm and inviting, tasting of the fruit we had eaten earlier.
A soft moan escaped his lips as our tongues danced together, exploring the depths of one another's desires.