Page 91 of Magic in My Bones

Dorian gathered me close, his touch still possessive but infinitely gentle. “You did so beautifully tonight,” he murmured,pressing soft kisses to my tear-stained cheeks. “Following my lead, trusting me, letting me guide you through new experiences. I'm so proud of you.”

His words soothed something deep inside me, a place that had always craved this specific kind of validation, not just as a lover, but as someone worthy of his guidance and care.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice hoarse from crying. “For everything.”

Dorian's hand came up to cup my face, tilting it gently so I met his gaze. His green eyes were soft with affection, a tender smile playing at his lips. “Oh, Ren,” he said softly. “You don't need to thank me for loving you. It's as natural as breathing.”

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. It was chaste, comforting rather than passionate, but it sent warmth spreading through my chest all the same.

I pulled back just enough to blink away the tears that still clung to my lashes. “You… love me?”

I had overheard him say it to the Archivist last week, but hearing it directly from him, in this quiet, vulnerable moment? It felt different. It meant something more.

Dorian paused, his gaze searching mine as if trying to convey everything he felt without needing to speak. His thumb brushed gently over my cheek, wiping away the last remnants of my tears, and then his eyes softened even further, full of something warm and unspoken.

“You’re an incredible man, Ren Wickens,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, steady and certain. “Strong. Brave. Brilliantly gifted. There aren’t enough words in any tongue to describe all the things you make me feel when we’re together. But love... Love is the word that has to do, I suppose. So yes, Ren. I love you. I’ve loved you for so long, and I never knew how to say it. But now—” He shook his head, as if overwhelmed by the truthof it all. “Now you know. You’ve always been enough, more than enough. I love you.”

He leaned in again, pressing his forehead to mine, his breath warm against my skin. “I’m sorry it took me so long to say it, but it’s true. It’s always been true.”

My breath caught in my throat. For a moment, I couldn't speak, couldn't even think. All I could do was feel, the warmth of his body against mine, the tenderness of his touch, the love radiating from every fiber of his being.

“I love you too,” I finally managed to whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I think I've loved you since that first day in your classroom, when you looked at me and saw me, really saw me. Not who I was trying to be, but who I really was. And every day since then, you've helped me become more myself.”

I surged forward, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. It was messy and uncoordinated, teeth clashing and noses bumping, but I didn't care. I poured everything I felt into that kiss, all the love, the gratitude, the overwhelming joy of being seen and accepted for who I truly was.

Dorian responded with equal fervor, his arms tightening around me as he deepened the kiss. When we finally broke apart, both gasping for air, I couldn't help but laugh.

“What's so funny?” Dorian asked, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “Everything. I just... I never thought I could be this happy. That I could feel this... right.”

Dorian's smile softened, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, Ren.”

I leaned into his touch, letting the warmth of his hand steady me. His words, gentle and certain, settled deep in my chest, filling the space that had been uncertain for so long.

“You deserve it too,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “I’ve always felt like I needed to prove myself. Like if I wasn’t good enough, I’d be... nothing. But with you, it’s different. I don’t have to be anything but me.”

Dorian’s thumb brushed over my cheek, and he looked at me with such tenderness, it took my breath away.

“You never had to prove anything, Ren,” he said softly. “You’ve always been exactly who you were meant to be. And that’s all I’ve ever needed from you.”

I closed my eyes, taking in the weight of his words. There was no judgment, no expectation of some perfect version of myself. Just me, exactly as I was.

“I think I’m finally starting to believe that,” I said quietly, the truth of it settling over me like a warm blanket.

Dorian smiled, his eyes full of affection and understanding. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “I love you, Ren Wickens,” he repeated.

I put my arms around him and settled into the bed against him, listening to his steady heartbeat. “I love you back, Dorian Crowe.”

31

The Submerged Sanctuary

Dorian

“Look at this place,”Ren said, breaking the heavy silence. “Hard to believe it was once a prestigious home of magic and academics.”

The ruins of the old Blackstone Academy sprawled before us, half-swallowed by the sea. Waves licked at the eroded stone walls, their once-proud grandeur reduced to crumbling silhouettes against the horizon. Beside me, Cassian, Rowan, and Ren stood motionless, looking out over the ruin.

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