Page 91 of Blood Bound

“I still can’t believe you’re really here,” Rowan murmurs, her voice thick with contentment as she nuzzles against my neck. “I thought I’d lost you.”

I press a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’m here, love. I’m not going anywhere.”

She snuggles closer, her body molding perfectly against mine. I breathe in her scent, committing it to memory. There’s so much I want to tell her, so many questions I can see burning in her eyes. But for now, I’m content to bask in this moment of peace.

Rowan’s hand comes to rest over my heart, and I wonder if she can feel the steady, strong beat beneath her palm. It’s a sensation I’m still getting used to myself.

“Darick?” she asks softly, her voice hesitant. “How did you…? I mean, the sun…”

I swallow hard, knowing I owe her answers but unsure how to begin. Nor do I want to change this moment. There’s a lot to say, and I’m still not sure how she’ll respond. “It’s…complicated,” I say finally. “There’s a lot we need to talk about. But not now. For now, just rest.”

She nods, seemingly satisfied with this reply for the moment. Her eyes drift closed, and soon, her breathing evens out as she slips into sleep, curled against me.

I watch her, marveling at the trust she places in me. The pendant that saved me lies forgotten on the bedside table, its purpose fulfilled.

As the first sounds of birdsong start to hang in the predawn air, I feel no fear, only a sense of wonder at this new world opening up before us.

I just pray that she’ll be willing to share it with me once she knows what it will bring.

28

Chapter 28

Rowan

Iblink awake, momentarily disoriented. Sounds of life filter into my room – the lawnmower in the neighbor’s yard, voices in the distance. It’s daytime, and panic grips me as I feel a warm body next to mine.

Darick!

My heart races as I remember the events of last night, the joy of finding him alive, battling with the sudden fear for his safety.

I twist onto my side, then exhale a relieved breath. He’s still there, peaceful and unharmed. The room is blissfully dark, the heavy curtains doing their job.

Oh, thank God!

I prop myself up on one elbow, drinking in the sight of him. Darick’s face is relaxed in sleep, all the guardedness gone. It’s strange to see him like this – vulnerable, almost…human. His chest rises and falls with steady breaths, a rhythm I never noticed before. Has he always breathed in his sleep?

My fingers itch to trace the lines of his face, but I resist, not wanting to wake him. Instead, I marvel at how different he looks. The sharp angles of his features seem softer in the low light, and there’s a hint of color in his cheeks that I don’t remember from before.

“What happened to you?” I whisper. So many questions swirl in my mind, but for now, I’m content to simply watch him sleep, savoring this moment of peace after everything we’ve been through.

I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb Darick, as I reach for my soft robe and drape it around me. My bare feet pad silently across the cool wooden floor as I make my way to the kitchen. The familiar routine of making tea settles me, my hands moving on autopilot while my mind whirls.

The kettle’s whistle pierces the morning quiet, and I wince, glancing back toward the closed bedroom door. No sound comes from behind it. I pour the steaming water over the tea leaves, watching as the color seeps out, staining the water a rich amber.

Cup in hand, I step out onto the patio. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of dew and early morning. I wrap my free arm around myself, suddenly aware of how thin my robe is in the cool air.

The sky is just beginning to lighten, gold, orange, and bronze blending into the fading darkness. I take a sip of tea, letting the warmth spread through me. It’s strange how normal this feels – standing here, watching the sunrise – when just yesterday, the thought of sunlight filled me with terror.

I close my eyes, remembering that heart-stopping moment in that room, the sunlight seeping across the floor toward Darick. The panic, the certainty that I was about to lose him forever. My hand tightens around the mug.

But he’s here. Alive. Sleeping peacefully in my bed as if nothing happened.

I open my eyes, watching as the sun slowly climbs higher, bathing everything in a soft, golden light. For the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to relax. There’s still so much to deal with, but for now, I let myself sink into the peace of this moment.

It’s a moment that ends abruptly.

I nearly drop my mug as warm arms encircle my waist from behind. Lips graze the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. For a second, I almost lean into the embrace, savoring the feeling of safety and comfort.

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