Page 87 of Blood Bound

Kara steps closer, her eyes searching mine. “Ro, no one thinks you’re weak. After what you’ve been through—”

“I know,” I cut her off, softening my tone. “And I love you all for caring so much. But right now, I just need some space. My cottage, my things…it’ll help me feel grounded.”

Gran nods slowly, understanding in her eyes. “Sometimes, solitude is the best medicine.” She turns to my parents. “We should respect Rowan’s wishes.”

After a moment of tense silence, Mom sighs. “Alright. But promise you’ll call if you need anything. Anytime.”

I manage yet another weak smile. I’m getting better at this. “I promise.”

As I turn to the door, I can feel their concerned gazes following me. Part of me wants to give in, to let them wrap me in their love and protection. But I know I need to face this pain head-on, even if it means facing it alone.

I trudge along the familiar path to my cottage, each step feeling heavier than the last. The world around me seems muted, as if all the color has been drained away. It’s fitting, I suppose. Everything feels gray without him. That sense of not being alone…I need it more than I ever cared to admit.

Darick.

His name in my mind brings a fresh wave of pain. I remember the first time I saw him, how annoyed I was by his arrogance, his smirk. God, what I wouldn’t give to see that smirk again. To hear his voice, even if it was just to tease me.

A sob catches in my throat as I recall our stolen moments. The way his eyes softened when he looked at me, the gentleness in his touch that belied his strength. I’d been so caught up in my fear, my distrust, that I’d pushed him away at every turn.

Now, I’d give anything for one more chance.

The cottage comes into view, and I pause, overwhelmed by memories. Darick standing on my porch, his eyes pleading for understanding. Our heated arguments, the tension between us, the electricity. The night he held me, touched me…when I finally let my guard down.

I fumble with my keys, my vision blurring with unshed tears. As I step inside, the emptiness of the space hits me. It feels wrong, being here without the possibility of him appearing unexpectedly.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper to the empty room, my voice breaking. “I’m so sorry, Darick. I should have trusted you. I should have—”

I freeze. My heart stops. The keys fall from my fingers and jangle as they hit the floor.

There, standing in my living room, is Darick.

I blink hard, certain I’m hallucinating. But he’s still there, his tall frame silhouetted against the window. I stare at him, drinking in every detail of his face. The strong line of his jaw, the curve of his lips, the intensity in his gaze. It’s all exactly as I remember, yet somehow more precious now that I thought I’d lost it forever.

“Rowan,” he says, his voice rough but achingly familiar. Darick takes a step toward me, his icy eyes never leaving mine.

“You’re…you’re dead,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I saw…the explosion…the sun…” Slowly, I raise a hand and reach out, almost afraid he’ll vanish if I touch him.

“It seems I’m harder to kill than we thought.” His lips twitch at the corners.

My fingers make contact with his chest, connecting with the solid reality of him. It’s him. Impossibly, unbelievably him.

A sob tears from my throat. Joy, disbelief, and lingering grief war within me. I want to hold him, to touch him, to make sure he’s real. But I’m frozen, paralyzed by the shock of seeing him here.

“You’re really here,” I breathe, still not quite believing it. “You’re alive.”

27

Chapter 27

Darick

Istand motionless in Rowan’s living room, watching as she enters and turns to close the door. The moment she spots me, her entire body goes rigid. Her eyes widen, and her lips part in a silent gasp. The keys slip from her fingers, clattering to the floor.

For what feels like an eternity, we’re frozen in place, our gazes locked. I can hear her heart racing, smell the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

“Rowan,” I say.

She blinks rapidly as if trying to clear her vision. I take a step forward, my movements slow and deliberate.

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