Chapter 33 Promise Me
Promise Me
Dom
Itold her I would marry her. I want her to be my wife, and I will wait for her. If she hasn’t been scared away yet, maybe this will do it.
What the hell was I thinking?
I mean, she’s right. We’re already bound in every way it matters. It’s stronger than marriage, but the bond is tied to the werewolf inside of me.
I know she may never want to marry again.
But I want her completely. I want to marry her.
I want the ceremony, the rings, the vows in front of our family and friends.
I want to see her in a wedding dress, walking down the aisle to me, holding a bouquet I created especially for her—a symbol of our marriage.
But I would do anything for her, even if she decides marrying again isn’t an option. I’m okay with it. She will always be mine, and I will always be hers.
I roll over to my side, missing the warmth of her body against mine, holding the note in my hands: Good morning, Dom. I’ll be back soon. Love, Jas
I read it twice, thumb brushing her handwriting, then set it back where she left it on my nightstand, and when I close my eyes, I'm not here anymore.
Aaryn looks smaller than he should. A thick blanket is sprawled across his lower half, hands resting in his lap.
“Jas took Seren to the park,” he says, voice soft, weak, but steady. “I wanted her to get some fresh air. She never wants to leave my side for too long.”
I nod because my throat won’t cooperate, and I can’t find my voice to speak. What should I say? I have tried to keep my distance a little because he needs every moment with Jasmira and Seren. When I do visit, I soak up every second we have left together, never knowing which one will be our last.
He studies me for a moment, watching me take a seat, and his eyes stay sharp despite everything. “You remember when we were kids, you punched that asshole for teasing me and pulling my ears in school?”
A breath huffs out of me. Fucking Ben. He was a gargoyle and had quite the mean streak for a while. “He was twice your size.”
“And yet you still didn’t hesitate to punch him back.” He swallows. “You’ve always had my back.”
The nurse takes her leave and steps outside on the deck with a book, giving us privacy.
Aaryn’s hand grips mine—stronger than I expect. “I need you to promise me something.”
No. I don’t want to make any promises. I don’t want him to leave. “You don’t need to—”
“Dominik, I need to hear it.”
I let out a heavy sigh. What if I fail? What if I’m not enough?
“My girls are yours,” he says simply. “Take care of them, protect them. Show them love. Let them know they’re not alone. They’re going to need you.” His mouth curves into a small smile, moisture pooling in his eyes. “You already do all those things. I see it.”
My chest tightens painfully. How can he trust me with everything he loves, everything he is leaving behind, when I can barely hold myself together? A day is coming when I won’t see him, talk to him.
“You're my brother,” he continues, clearing his throat. “And I know you’ll be more to Seren than a godfather.” His grip loosens. “Promise me you’ll be there for them.”
The weight of what he’s asking crushes down on me with the grief I’m already feeling in my heart. “I promise,” I say, voice breaking. “I swear it.”
His eyes close, relief softening his features. “Good. I can take a nap now.”
“Goddess, you’re such an insufferable shit right now.” I sniff, wiping the tears from my eyes.
He chuckles, and it turns into a short coughing fit. I give him a small sip of water before he closes his eyes to rest. “I love you, man.”
“I love you too, brother.”
The small smile on his face is still vivid in my memory.
“Dominik?” Seren’s voice pulls me deep from my thoughts. We’re elbow-deep in banana bread fixings, flour smudged on her nose, and her hair pulled back in a fluffy ponytail I helped put up.
“Can I add more chocolate chips?” she asks.
“Just a little,” I say, handing her the bag, and she grins, pouring a full cup into the bowl.
Mellie cleans up the chocolate hitting the ground. We work in a companionable quiet, the oven preheating, the world feeling normal. Or at least close enough.
“Dominik?” she says again, softer this time.
“Yeah, kiddo?”
“Do you think…” she hesitates, eyes fixed on the electric mixer stirring the chocolate in. “Do you think you’ll live with Mom and me one day?”
My breath falters as I crouch to her level. “If your mom wants to,” I say honestly. “Maybe. We’ll see. But I love having you both over here.”
“And Mellie too?” She looks down at the keta, who waits patiently for another stolen treat. For an animal who hunts for her own food, she’s quite the beggar.
“Yes, the fluff ball too.” I boop her nose with a wet towel, wiping the flour off her face.
She relaxes, eating a few bits of chocolate. She has the same thinking face as her mother. “Is it okay if I call you Dad?”
The word lands straight in my chest. I blink hard, my eyes wet with tears. I reach for her before I can overthink it, lifting her into my arms and holding her in a tight hug. “It would be an honor.”
She hugs me, her small arms wrapped around my neck.
My heart swells, and at the same time, there’s pain.
Emotions are complicated. My heart is a collision of love, grief, devotion, and guilt.
She has no memory of Aaryn, but I will always remind her of who her father was.
I tell her the story of the great, brave knight, who asked his brother to protect what he loves most.
I promised I would stay. And I am.