Chapter 83
Eighty-Three
His mouth tilted to the side in an arrogant sort of way. His white teeth sparkled, but his amber eyes were fathomless, consuming her. Her chest grew tight. Autumn rushed over and jumped into his arms. Tears trickled down her face.
He cupped his hands on her cheeks, as he lowered her to her feet. He leaned down to kiss her. His lips were warm and soft and urgent against hers. He tasted like fresh cinnamon.
Dante was back to his old self again thanks to the rejuvenation tank. She felt safe in his strong arms and for the first time in a long time, she was at peace. They could disappear right then and there, and she would be happy.
“Don’t you look lovely,” the words played off his lips like a song. “You have a certain newfound glow about you.”
She smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. “I’m so glad you’re back. I thought you were?—”
“Dead?” His midnight hair swayed in the heated afternoon breeze, grazing his sharp jawbone. His fresh crimson cape rested over his shoulders. The metropolis in the distance hummed and sparkled with life. Warmth consumed every pore in her body.
She remained quiet, running her fingers through the loose onyx strands of his hair.
“So did I,” he gazed into her eyes. “You should’ve left when you had the chance. I gave you every opportunity to escape and stay safe. But still, you didn’t listen. You’re so stubborn, Autumn. You shouldn’t have come for me. I’m not worth sacrificing your life for.”
“Well, that wasn’t your choice to make,” she said. Her heart ached. “I’m tired of you making choices for me. I can think for myself.”
He remained quiet, resting his chin on her head. She closed her eyes feeling safe in his strong arms. “That you can.”
He sighed. “To think that monster put his hands on you and tried to steal the beautiful gift we created for his own selfish gain and there was nothing I could do to stop him,” he gently placed his hand against her belly, choking up. “It makes me sick. I promise I won’t fail you again. I’m far from perfect, but I can strive to be the best version of myself I can. I’ll protect you and our family no matter what.”
She listened to the sound of his accelerating heart, succumbing to his soft-spoken voice. She closed her eyes as he changed the subject. “I heard your speech before while I was healing. It was magnificent, but thank you, you don’t have to worry about me. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I only care what you think. Your opinion is the only one that matters to me. It always has been.”
“You mean everything to me,” she murmured.
He brought his mouth to hers kissing her again and they walked along the rooftop, hand in hand. Her feet grew as light as air. She could fly—well, literally . She rested her head against his solid arm.
She did a double take as Emperor Brumha approached them. It wasn’t her imagination after all. He commanded the massive fleet that rested in the air, glittering through the cloudless sky. His white velvet cape swayed over his shoulders. He removed his helmet, holding it in the crook of his arm and she prepared herself for the spray bath.
“Well, my friend, I must be going now,” Emperor Brumha smiled between them. His silver skin sparkled in the sunlight. The wisps of his white hair curled along his scalp.
“Thank you again for all your help,” Dante extended his hand shaking Emperor Brumha’s.
“Don’t be a stranger and don’t be afraid to reach out if you ever need anything from me. I’ll always be here even if it’s just to talk.”
“You as well,” Dante waved as the ice emperor turned on his heel making his way back to his destroyer. Once he was safely onboard, Dante pulled the silver orb from his pocket and popped open the crack with his thumb. Purple light flashed, and in an instant, Emperor Brumha and his fleet were transported back to the lower universes. He closed the silver ball, placing it back into his pocket. She couldn’t help but stare in wonderment.
She grinned. “Friends, did I hear you say friends? You made a friend while you were gone?”
“Yeah, I think so,” the apples of his blue cheeks shifted to pink. He followed her over to the ledge where she had a seat. He sat beside her, holding her hand in his. “He’s not so bad after I took the time to get to know him. He’s actually kind.”
“Well, I think that’s wonderful.”
“I think you’re wonderful.”
Her cheeks heated.
He glanced away before meeting her gaze. “You once accused me of not caring enough about what you want and your needs. You called me selfish. Well, I meant every word I wrote in the letter to you.”
She stuttered. “I?—”
“I have been selfish, and I’d like to change that. What is it that you’d find fulfilling? Just say the word and it’s done. I want to make you happy more than anything.”
She stared at him, thinking long and hard. She had her family, her dad, the man who she loved and adored, and a baby on the way. If she was honest, she no longer wanted to go back to Earth just yet. Eventually, she wanted to see her friends again, but she’d adjusted to her new life even if it took longer than expected.
Everything in her world for the first time seemed perfect. It was the oddest feeling.
She opened her mouth as if to speak, choosing her words carefully. She didn’t want to jinx her current situation. She hadn’t been this happy in years.
“I think I’d like to help people,” she twisted her fingers in her lap. “I want to go back to school to be a doctor. The best in my field. I want to pick up where I left off on Earth.”
His amber eyes lit up. “Then you start tomorrow,” he paused. “I have something for you that will come in handy, something I should’ve returned a while ago.”
She blinked and he disappeared for a moment before teleporting beside her. He held her cosmic backpack in his hands.
“I want to apologize for taking your belongings when you first arrived on Surge. It was so very wrong of me, but I just wanted to protect you from being mistaken as a hybrid and being hurt again. Now all that seems so trivial.”
He handed her the bag.
She held her backpack in her lap. “Thank you for returning this to me. I thought it was gone forever.”
“No, I kept it hidden in my closet for safekeeping.”
She nodded, cheeks warming.
“Oh,” his eyes lit up. He ruffled through the back pocket of his uniform and removed a book. He handed it to her as well. The copy of Dracula she’d failed to return to the library. The pages and cover were creased and fraying. It had a weathered smell. “I’ve carried this everywhere with me since I brought you here from Earth. I read it to you many times during our first voyage together in the hope that I could somehow get closer to you. Somehow understand you better, somehow get you to forgive me.”
She leaned over and kissed him, running her hand through the silken strands of his obsidian hair. “We understand each other perfectly. There’s nobody I love, nobody I trust, and nobody I want to be with more than you.”
He brought his lips to hers, running his fingers along her back. Goosebumps trickled down her spine. “ I love you more ,” his thoughts caressed her mind through their bond.
He pulled away, his mouth curling in a lazy grin. “I was thinking that maybe if you’re up for it, I could use a long hot bath. The regeneration tank doesn’t count,” he nipped at her neck.
She chewed back a smile. “Sounds like a plan. In exchange, I’m making a second request.”
Dante watched her, waiting. “Anything.”
“You can start getting along with my dad. How’s that?”
He snorted. “I’m sorry, that’s one thing I can’t promise.”
Her forehead twitched. “I’m afraid it’s non-negotiable.” She remained determined to keep the peace in her family.
“I’ll do my best,” he offered, his long lashes grazing his prominent cheekbones.
By the time they left the palace rooftop and headed downstairs, the sky sparkled up with countless stars. Vibrant purple glimmered in the setting sun, casting rays over the never sleeping city of Giarldinia. Tomorrow promised to be a new day filled with love, hope, and endless possibilities. Finally, Autumn had gotten her wish because she wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted.