CHAPTER 28 #3
“I’m trying to show you how absurd, how... ridiculous this is, Kara,” he argued, raking a hand through his hair.
“No. You’re scared.”
“I’m not,” he said, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze.
She stood too, closed the space between them. When she reached him, she placed a gentle palm to his cheek, and made him look at her.
“When they told me I was going to the pyre,” she said, her voice breaking, “I–I couldn’t think. Not about the fire, or dying, or any of it. All I could think of was you, Sebastian. Just you. Because I... I love you. More than anything.”
But it was plain in the look he gave her – he didn’t believe her.
He thinks I haven’t seen the worst of him. But I have. I saw what he did to get me out. What he did to Cade–
No, don’t think about him.
She would never tell Sebastian that one of those guards – the older one who’d been kind to her, who’d held her up when she’d been sentenced – was amongst the bodies in the hall.
It would destroy him. Some burdens were hers to carry.
He had torn himself apart to save her. She was beyond grateful.
If it was the last thing she did, she would make him hear her. Make him understand.
He was not a monster.
He was brave. Good. Hers.
“I know what you’re capable of,” she went on fiercely. “What you did to those guards, what you did in the cell, you did it to save me. And I love you for it.”
Sebastian’s expression crumbled. He staggered back a step; he looked like she’d struck him.
“You shouldn’t,” he said hoarsely. “You shouldn’t love that.”
“Sebastian, I love that you protect me... no matter what. And I see it. I see that it costs you.”
His eyes darted to hers. Before he could look away, she reached for him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck. He froze at the contact – but didn’t pull back.
“I love all of you,” she said. “The way you laugh, the way you challenge me. The way our magic fits together.”
She leaned closer, until their lips were almost touching.
“I love that you’d walk through fire for me.”
His breath was coming fast now. Slowly, his arms came up, drawing her in, holding her like he’d never let go.
“Say it again,” he growled, the demand ripping out of him.
There you are.
“I love you.”
“Again.”
“I love you, I love you, I love–”
He didn’t let her finish. He crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her with such urgency, such need, that it took her breath away.
The force pushed her against the barn wall – and all thought, all reason shattered.
She caught him, dragged him closer, hands in his hair, her body crushed tight against his.
Their magic erupted – illuminating the barn as crimson and emerald collided and spiralled around them.
It sang under her skin, joy and relief mixed together.
When they broke apart, she was giddy, light-headed, and wanting more.
Her heart was racing, but she felt strong. Whole. Right.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Kara, that was–”
“I know,” she breathed.
For one second, he only stared down at her, stunned. Then something inside him gave way. His whole face lit – radiant, unguarded joy breaking through the cracks.
“I love you too,” he said, rough and certain. “If you couldn’t tell.”
“Well, that’s good,” she laughed lightly. “Would’ve been awkward if not.”
He chuckled once – until she touched his cheek. She brushed the one fallen tear away and he tensed. She smiled at him through her own shimmer of tears.
“Don’t tell me the great Sebastian Thorne actually cries.”
He caught her wrist. “Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.” It was half-growl, half-plea. And utterly adorable.
She laughed, shaking her head. “Your terrifying, heartless reputation?” she teased.
“Yes, that’s the one,” he laughed.
“Your reputation does you a disservice,” she said honestly. “Whoever wrote those stories didn’t know you at all.”
He was quiet for a moment. “You’re the first person that’s ever said that.”
She kissed him in answer – it was slower, sweeter this time.
They sank down together into the hay, and she lay on his chest, counting his heartbeats.
A contented sigh escaped her, and he kissed her temple in answer.
The barn creaked in the wind, the scent of hay thick in the air.
Outside, crickets chirped as night fell.
Inside, everything went still. Comfortable.
Sebastian’s voice broke the quiet, so low she almost didn’t hear him. “You know... I think I loved you right from the start.”
Kara’s heart leapt as she propped herself up on her elbow to look at him. “The start?”
He nodded, smiling. “Far sooner than I should have. Trust me, it was embarrassing.”
Warmth spread through her whole body. “The Fire Trial,” she said. “That’s when I knew I was in trouble. When you saved me, let me heal you.” She kissed his palm where the burn had been. “You never left after that.”
He tightened his arm around her. “Should’ve guessed diving into flames might give me away.” He smirked. “Not my most subtle moment.”
She laughed and kissed his chest softly.
“When you caught up to me on the mountaintop,” he said. “I thought I was going mad.”
She looked up at him, confused.
“I’d been thinking about you,” he explained. “Even whilst stealing the Shards.” He shook his head. “I’d been trying not to. Then suddenly you were there, like I’d summoned you from my own damn thoughts.”
“It must have been awful when I put you under,” she said, guilt and shame flaring.
Sebastian snorted. “Well... it’s not how I’d imagined being rejected, no.”
She let out a startled breath, burying her face against his shoulder. “Gods, Sebastian.”
He grinned into her hair. “What? I’m just saying – next time you want to tell me you’re not interested, maybe don’t knock me unconscious.”
She laughed again, bright and unrestrained, swatting his chest lightly. “You’re impossible.”
Sebastian leaned back, studying her face, mischief tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So that’s the real reason you let me go – my rugged good looks?”
She raised a brow at him, lips twitching. “Amongst other things.”
Before he could reply, she leaned in and kissed him. He didn’t hesitate; his hands found her waist and tugged her towards him. She clung to him in return, fingers tracing the muscles in his arms, his shoulders. Their magic danced around them – familiar now – normal.
“Kara,” he murmured against her lips, voice breaking on her name.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered back, and kissed him – deeper this time – until they were both dazed and breathless. Until there was nothing but the taste of his lips on hers. She forgot about everything – the danger, the soldiers, the Shards – there was only him.
They didn’t go further than kissing – didn’t need to. Neither pushed for more. Even that left Kara trembling, flushed, and reeling when they finally broke apart. And when Sebastian held her after, she’d never felt more content. Sleep tried to pull her under, but she fought it.
Sebastian noticed. “You should sleep.”
“I’m scared I’ll wake up and you’ll be gone.”
“I won’t be. I’m not going anywhere.”
She turned her head, looked up at him. “Promise?”
He met her gaze. “I promise.”
She nodded, finally letting her eyes close.
And Sebastian?
He didn’t realise how tired he was until her warmth settled into him completely. Until the quiet finally felt like it wasn’t a threat. They were hidden well enough. His sword was close. The woman he loved was safe in his arms. Sleep, for once, came easy.