Page 64 of Guarded By the Reaper

I chuckled, knowing full well that wasn’t true. Gray hairs had started to appear, and fine lines marked the corners of my eyes. But I appreciated the sentiment.

“You’re sweet. Thank you for coming. It means the world to me.”

“Of course,” Elysia said, pulling me into a hug. “We’ll get together soon, okay? Maybe next weekend?”

“I’d love that,” I replied, squeezing her tight. As we pulled apart, I added, “Oh, could you ask Grim to join me out here on your way out?”

Elysia nodded. “Sure thing. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, sweetie.”

I watched as she disappeared back into the house. As the door closed behind her, I turned back to the lake, lost in thought. My mind wandered to the journey that had brought us here.Telling Elysia the truth about being her mother had been one of the hardest things I’d ever done. I’d been terrified of losing her, of ruining the bond we had. But I should have known better. My brave, compassionate daughter had not only accepted the truth but had told me she’d suspected it all along. I smiled, remembering the day she graduated veterinary school. The pride I felt watching her walk across that stage was indescribable. And now, she was living her dream, working alongside her husband at their own clinic. They lived modestly, using most of Elysia’s trust fund to support animal shelters and run awareness campaigns. My eyes misted over as I thought about her ten-month-old baby, my grandchild. It was surreal to think that I was a grandmother at fifty. But then again, my life had never followed a conventional path.

I took another sip of champagne, savoring its crisp taste. The setting sun cast long shadows across the patio, and a cool breeze ruffled my hair. In this moment, I felt utterly content. Yes, there was a tinge of sadness – time was passing so quickly, and I wasn’t getting any younger. But mostly, I felt grateful. Twenty-four years ago, I thought I’d lost everything. I was ready to give up my life to save Elysia. But fate, or perhaps something else, had other plans. Now, here I was, celebrating my fiftieth birthday surrounded by love and joy. I thought about the guests who had filled our home earlier. Friends, both old and new. Humans and monsters alike. It still amazed me sometimes – this world we lived in. A world where a human could fall in love with a Grim Reaper, where friendships could form between the most unlikely beings. My life was far from perfect. There were still challenges, still days when the weight of the past felt heavy. But standing here, watching the sun set over the lake I’d grown up beside, I couldn’t help but feel that everything was exactly as it should be.

I heard the patio door open again. Without turning, I knew it was Grim. Even after all these years, my heart still skipped a beat when he was near. Grim sat down beside me and pulled me into his lap. I snuggled close, breathing in his scent as we watched the sun dip lower on the horizon. His arms wrapped around me, strong and comforting. I felt so safe, so loved. We shared a tender kiss, and I couldn’t help but smile against his lips. Twenty-four years together, and he still made my heart race. As we parted, I rested my head on his shoulder, marveling at how perfectly we fit together.

The sky blazed with oranges and pinks, reminding me of all the sunsets we’d shared over the years. Each one felt like a gift, a moment frozen in time just for us. I thought about how lucky I was to have found Grim, how he’d changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. He’d been here for me through everything – the ups and downs of raising Elysia, building our life together, facing the challenges that came our way. Even with his duties as a reaper and his work with Monster Security Agency, Grim always made me feel like I was his top priority. And Elysia, of course. He’d been an amazing father to her, patient and kind, always ready with a joke or a hug when she needed it most. Now, watching him dote on our grandchild, I fell in love with him all over again. The way his dark sockets lit up when the baby laughed, how gentle he was as he cradled that tiny body – it melted my heart every time.

I sighed contentedly, feeling truly at peace. This life we’d built together was more than I ever could have hoped for. It wasn’t perfect, but it was ours, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“You okay, love?” Grim’s asked. “You seem lost in thought.”

I lifted my head to meet his gaze, smiling. “I’ve never been happier,” I said honestly. “The party was wonderful. Thank you for organizing it.”

He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. The guests have all left, and Elysia said goodbye. The maids are cleaning up now, then they’ll head out for the night. We’ll have the place to ourselves.”

“Good,” I murmured, tracing patterns on his chest. “I want to be alone with you. Actually, I wanted to ask you for a special birthday present.”

Grim’s brow furrowed. “You don’t like the diamond necklace?”

I touched the sparkling jewels at my throat. “It’s lovely. But the present I want is... different. Not material.” Taking a deep breath, I met his eyes. “I want you to call the Breathless. I’m ready to join you in eternity, to be a reaper like you.”

Grim stiffened, then gently pushed me off his lap as he stood. He began pacing the patio, his agitation clear in every movement.

“Are you certain?” he asked, his voice tight. “Is this because you turned fifty today? Millie, you’re beautiful. In my eyes, you haven’t aged a day.”

I stood, wrapping my arms around myself. “It’s partly because of that, yes,” I admitted. “I’m happy with the life I’ve had so far, but I can’t stand the idea of growing older and older while you stay the same. I want to become a reaper now, while I’m still strong and full of energy.”

Grim stopped pacing and pulled me into his arms. Our lips met in a desperate kiss, and I tasted salt – my tears running down my face despite how hard I was trying to control my emotions. We parted, and Grim looked at me for a long minute.

“If that’s what you truly want,” he said softly, “then I’ll call the Breathless.”

My heart raced at his words. This was it – the moment I’d been both longing for and dreading.

***

What better place to do this if not the sunroom? I took Grim’s hand and led him to it. We entered it in silence. This room held so many memories, both good and bad. After what happened with Ma-Vasha, it took me a long time to find the strength to come back here. But now, it was one of my favorite places in the house. The late evening light streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished wood floor. Potted plants lined the walls, their lush green leaves reaching towards the ceiling. The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers – roses and jasmine. My eyes swept over the room. The plush cream-colored sofas were scattered with colorful throw pillows. My painting supplies were spread out on a table near the window, brushes and tubes of paint waiting for my next burst of inspiration. An unfinished canvas sat on an easel, the beginnings of a sunset over the lake taking shape.

I turned to Grim, ready to ask him how we should proceed, but the words died in my throat. Behind him stood a figure I’d only seen once before, many years ago. The Breathless. Death themselves. How had Grim summoned them so quickly? I hadn’t even seen him make a call or send a message. But here they were, and this was really happening.

The Breathless glided into the room, their presence filling the space with an otherworldly energy. I couldn’t help but stare, fascinated by their ever-shifting features. One moment, they looked like a young woman with flowing dark hair. The next, an old man with wise, ancient eyes. Then a child with a mischievous grin. It was impossible to pin down their appearance.

Death’s gaze fell on me. Their voice, when they spoke, was neither male nor female, but a blend of all voices.

“Are you sure, Camellia?”

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. This was my last chance to back out, to change my mind. But as I looked at Grim, I knew this was what I wanted. What I needed.

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