Page 54 of He Will Always Love Me

“Let’s just forget it,” I say. “We’ll try something else tomorrow.”

I move to get up, but Libby grabs my arm. “No! Come on, we’ve only gone through two cycles. Just try one more at least?”

Her pleading gives me pause.

Memories pour into my mind almost painfully.

A dark-haired woman draping a blanket over my half-bare form and staying close to me. Telling me she believes me.

A light-haired woman with the familiar bright blue eyes tending to my wounds. Risking her own life for mine.

Two women – no, one woman who was always by my side. Always came back for me. Always supported me.

I feel like something is owed, and maybe that’s why I stop protesting. And so I sit back down and close my eyes. “Fine. One more.”

Libby puts her back against mine again, and the sound and scent changes. This time it’s the sound of the wind and the scent of a crisp fall day. Sensations and flashes begin to tug at my mind. But instead of trying to fight off the sensation, I embrace it and find myself falling into what I know is a memory.

I’m soaring high above in the clouds, shooting high and then pulling my wings in and going into a freefall. Then I spread them again and race off. The wind whips against my face and my wings and it feels like freedom.

Then the memory shifts as the noise and scent do.

I’m searching frantically for Alana, hoping against all hope that she survived the crash. I find her half of the shuttle, and it makes my blood freeze. I toss debris carelessly, but I still don’t see her there.

And then, my eye catches footprints. Her footprints.

My mind seems to move to the next memory on its own accord. Like a floodgate has suddenly opened.

We sit in a dusty schoolhouse just chatting like we’ve always known each other. The city around us has all but crumpled, and my men will come hunting for me soon. And yet we’ve found solace among the books and chairs that haven’t been used in years.

Here, with her, I’m at home.

I open my eyes and suck in a sharp breath. Libby moves behind me, and I turn back to look at her.

It’s her.

Warmth floods me suddenly, and I feel like a piece of myself that’s been missing slips back into place. I see the same look reflected back in her eyes.

I’ve really found her. She’s here.

I reach out a hand and cup her cheek like I’m not really sure she’s there. She reaches out and does the same.

Finally, I’m able to put a name to the feeling.

Love.

CHAPTER 28

LIBBY

"I've known you were my fated mate since we first met," Hyx admits. He pulls me into his arms, his mouth an inch from mine. "The past lives are… cool… I don't doubt it. But you and I belong together."

Before I can respond, he silences me with a passionate kiss.

My heart flutters as his lips meet mine. It's like an electrical current that ignites every nerve ending in my body. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me as our tongues dance in a passionate tango. The heat between us is palpable, and I can feel his arousal growing against my thigh.

We break the kiss, both gasping for air. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long," he murmurs, his voice low and husky.

I nod, unable to speak. There are no words to describe the intense connection I feel with him. It's like we were made for each other, two halves of a whole that have finally found each other in this lifetime.

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