Page 81 of Crescent Warrior

“Of course you deserve to say goodbye. He loved you so much.”

“I did this,” Nicholas whispered, his voice breaking. The sound that left him was broken as he spun around to leave.

Hippolyta stared after him, confused, but she also didn’t seem to have enough energy to give chase.

“He probably thinks he should have seen it before it happened and found a way to stop it,” he murmured, patting the bed next to him.

He wasn’t as close to Dru as she was, but he had still been his uncle. One of the beloved troublemakers of the Elder Council. When she was close enough to touch, he pulled her into his arms.

She nuzzled into his hug, absorbing the comfort he was offering freely. “I miss him so much already. What am I going to do without him?”

He stroked her hair, much shorter now after cutting it with the ritual shears, leaving her braid next to Dru as an offering of love and loyalty.

“Live in his legacy. Hold his memories close and honor him.” He whispered the same words Dru gave him when his parents died. He felt his throat tighten with pain.

Her tears saturated his shoulder, and they stayed like that, sharing their loss together until Damen, Ares, and Selene re-entered the room. They looked over at them and smiled gently before continuing to where Dru was, starting to gently oil his body, spreading it through his fur, slicking it back softly and working their way through.

Hippolyta pulled away to press a gentle kiss to his lips in thanks before going back to help. By the time they were done, Cole felt as though he might be able to walk on his leg again.

When Hippolyta made her way over to him, he stood, steadying himself against the bed. She hurried to help, but he shook his head, holding her hand instead of leaning on her. He was still limping, but they left together, walking slowly toward her old home.

“Do you know what Dru told me before he died?” she whispered, squeezing his hand tightly.

He shook his head, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head, her short hair brushing his chin ticklishly. It would take some getting used to, but he loved her no matter how she looked.

“That I should stop being an idiot and get out of my own way with you.”

He gave a pained chuckle, shaking his head. “Not in those words, I hope.”

She smiled sadly, tilting her head up to stare at the darkening sky.

“No. Not in those words, but that’s the gist of what he was telling me. I was coming to you.” She turned to look at him. “I was trying to figure out how to ask you to forgive me when I scented them.” Her upper lip curled back in a snarl at the word, her hatred clear. “I wish I’d known they were coming earlier. I wish I could have done something.”

He shook his head, squeezing her closer to him as they arrived at her home. He turned her to face him, rubbing her arms to warm her up.

“After feeling what I feel for you, I can’t imagine the bond that he had with Iris. They had so much time together. They raised two sons. He couldn’t live anymore without her, my Lyta. He’s happier where he is. He’s where he wants to be.”

She swallowed convulsively, fighting the tears that were close to the surface. She nodded, leaning forward to press her forehead to the base of his throat, fitting him like the key to his lock. His perfect match.

If Dru had been missing this, then Cole didn’t doubt he had willingly fallen to those wolves. There was no way he could live, knowing his Lyta wasn’t in the world any longer. Everything inside of him rebelled at the thought.

He wrapped his arms around her, savoring the feeling of her being whole and alive in his arms. In the battle, he knew that she would come out on the other side unscathed, but what if she didn’t? What if he lost her? Almost unable to bear the thought, he squeezed her tighter. “I love you, my Lyta. With everything in me.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her eyes still filled with tears. He knew it was a mixtureofDru’sloss as well as her own regret.

“You don’t have to apologize. It was my fault. You’ve been worried this entire time and I didn’t even realize.” He swept his fingers under her eyes before tasting her tears. She leaned into him, savoring his touch, and he knew he was right. “I’ve been fucking up. Notmakingyou certain that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve been letting this uncertainty fester. Never again.”

“It’s not your fault,” she murmured, the tears coming faster now.

When she sank into him, resting her face against his chest in relief, he called himself fifty kinds of stupid.

“You’ve tried so hard for me. But I didn’t do anything to help you feel secure in us. I was a dumb shit who pretended not to be in love with you when I was younger, and I let you go. But I can’t do that again. I know that now. I can’t let you feel like you’re not my everything, becauseGods damn it,myLyta, you are.”

He stroked his fingers through her hair. “I would give upthe worldfor you. You’re everything I could ever need or want. And I was an idiot not to show you that.”

“I am?” she murmured, nuzzling against him.

“See?” His voice was low and soothing. “I’m the dumbass who’s been letting his mate run around thinking I can live without her. I can’t, myLyta. I never could. I’ve been hanging on by a thread.” He squeezed her tighter, burying his face in her short hair. “I need you with me.”

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