Page 84 of Eternally Yours

Would’ve been nice if Cat had shared this plan with me before fitting me into a floor-length corseted gown and a pair of six-inch heels. Kicking off my shoes, I grabbed Nic’s hand as he half-dragged me through the winding corridors and up the many flights of steps until we reached the garage. Once he kicked open the door, a blaring siren sounded and blinding lights flashed overhead.

“They’re going into lockdown,” Nic said, head whipping toward the secret garage door. It was slowly rising, about to seal shut. “Hurry, or we’ll be trapped.”

“What about Cat? She’ll be stuck here.”

“She’s proven more than capable of taking care of herself.” Even though his words said one thing, his expression revealed his true worry. Still, there wasn’t time to hesitate. We were almost trapped, ourselves. He pulled me toward the door. “Come on!”

We rushed for it. Nic’s arms scooped me up and pushed me through the narrow slot, the skirt of my dress ripping as I squeezed through. He hauled himself up and we both hit the ground, rolling just as the door closed. The wails of the sirens were instantly muffled, and all that could be heard was the hum of a waiting car.

“Janus!” Nic let out a shaky laugh and muttered a soft curse. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

Wearing all black, Janus jumped out of a black Mercedes, a pistol in hand as he assessed for anyone who might be following us. “Pleasantries later, my Lord. After our asses are safely away from here.”

Agreeing, Nic helped me and my big fluffy gown into the back of the car. Once we were inside, Janus slammed the door shut and ran to the driver's seat. Within seconds, we were off, the wheels squealing against the night’s silence as we peeled away from the coven.

It was my first time getting a good look at the man who’d captured Cat’s heart. He’d guided me into the party before, but I’d been so nervous and focused on Nic, I couldn’t focus on anything else. Now, I could see that he looked no older than twenty-five, and with dark-skin, a strong jaw, sensual lips, and the deepest brown eyes I’ve ever seen, he was strikingly handsome.

As we drove away, I turned to the rear window and watched as the church and mausoleum grew smaller and smaller the farther we got.

“Are you going to miss it?” The words left my lips without thought.

Nic turned to me. “Hm?”

“The life you’re leaving behind, will you miss it?” I couldn’t help thinking about my own life and how I’d been forced to leave my career, my father, and even my shitty New York apartment behind.

“I’d abandoned that life many years ago, Loren,” he replied as he leaned back on the seat, rolling his neck and running an unsteady hand through his hair. “Why would I miss it now?”

“But what about everything else you had before me? Your apartment? Friends? Your—”

Taking my chin in his fingers, he stopped me mid-sentence. “None of that matters now,” he began. “As long as I have you, I have everything I need.”

His words sank within me, caressing my soul with love. When I’d thought he was dead, living had seemed pointless without him, but now that we were together again, I knew we wouldn’t let anything come between us. I’d lost so much when he’d turned me, but now I knew I’d gained so much more. I’d found the one my soul was made for.

As Janus sped through the city streets, I looked out the window at the moon looming over the Hudson River, wondering what would become of us. Where would we go? The Order seemed to have gone underground, but for how long? What if they came after me again? And the covens? After the shitstorm we left behind, there was no doubt we’d be on their most wanted list.

“What happens now?” I asked. “Where are we going?”

“Catherine has arranged for a private charter,” Janus replied, peering at us briefly through the rearview mirror. “There’s a small airport twelve miles from here.”

Nic leaned forward, “New Jersey?”

“Yes. Shouldn’t be long.”

With a resounding sigh, Nic leaned back in his seat, shoulders slouched and his gaze distant as he looked out the window. Despite finding each other again and having successfully escaped, he now seemed lost and dejected.

A cold chill blew through my heart. I couldn’t help feeling responsible for this whole mess. For all the pain I caused him and the ones he loved. I wanted him to know how sorry I was about what happened at his coven so many weeks ago when the Order made me attack his family.

Cat had briefly recounted the events of the night, shielding me from the most gruesome details. But I’d read between the lines. The carnage I’d left in my wake had been disastrous, starting with what I’d done to Nic. His recovery had been nothing short of a miracle, and I couldn’t thank those who saved his life enough for piecing back together what I’d torn with my own claws.

Reaching for his hand, I said, “Hey, I know words could never mend the wounds I caused you and your family, but I want you to know I’m truly sorry.”

Turning from the window, his brows dipped as he looked at me. “You owe me no apologies, Loren. None of this is your fault.”

“But your grief,” I said, lowering my chin as I felt my eyes misting over. “I can feel it through our bond and it’s tearing me up inside, Nic.”

Taking my hands in his, he inched closer, his distinct scent filling my lungs with the type of warmth I hadn’t felt in a long while. God, how I’d missed that mix of honey and sandalwood.

“I almost lost you, Beastie,” he said, his voice edged with self-loathing. “I was granted a second chance at happiness, and I almost fucked it up because of my mistakes. That’s why I feel this way. How can I trust myself to protect you after I failed you?”

---