Page 121 of Bound in Blood

A tear rolls down her cheek, and it breaks my heart. She has lost so much in her short life. “Like they’re gone, I think.” I brush her cheek with the pad of my thumb. “I can still hear you all, but that’s our bond, right? I don’t feel the power anymore. The lightning in my veins. That simmering energy always right at my fingertips.”

Xavier presses a tender kiss on her forehead. “I’m sorry, Cupcake.”

Alexandros leans over Xavier and cups her jaw, turning her to face him. “You are still an elementai, Ophelia. You always will be. But yes, I believe you sacrificed your powers when you used your light to destroy the wraith.”

“Is it bad that I’m glad they’re gone?” Her voice is even quieter now. “Is it ungrateful? It’s just… I never wanted to be the Chosen One. I only want to be me.”

The relief that consumes us all is palpable. I didn’t want to admit that I haven’t felt a moment’s sadness for the loss of her powers. While I would be sad for her if she mourned them, it is so much safer for her—and for all of us—that she isn’t some all-powerful being capable of saving or destroying the earth. That version of Ophelia would have always been a target. There would always be someone who wanted what she had and was willing to try to take it from her. She couldn’t have had the normal life she’s always dreamed of.

“It is not selfish, Ophelia,” Alexandros assures her. “It is sensible, and it is a relief for all of us that you are no longer the target of every evil creature in existence.”

A smile lights up her face. “So I can finish my degree? Become a social worker?”

Alexandros rolls his eyes, but I laugh out loud, and I’m joined by Malachi and Xavier. And then our girl’s sweet laughter fills the room, and somehow Xavier’s hand is on her thigh and my mouth is on hers. Soon, all of our hands and mouths are on her beautiful body—exploring, kissing, biting.

All five of us become a tangle of limbs, seeking the comfort and connection that only comes from this carnal union. I lose count of how many times I’m inside her, of how many times she falls apart with my name on her lips. But the sun is almost ready to rise once more by the time we finally fall asleep, our bodies wrapped together, our hearts beating as one.

Chapter

Sixty-Six

ALEXANDROS

The cold evening air feels good, almost cleansing as I take a deep breath and let it flood my lungs. There has been so much pain. So much loss and destruction. But there has been relief as well. And, dare I say it, joy. We spent yesterday and the better part of today counting our losses, and although they were great, the victory was greater.

Lucian?

Just because you force-fed me your blood and saved me doesn’t mean you get to pop into my head whenever you want.The sarcasm eases my conscience a little. He did beg me to let him go, but there was more of him begging to stay. And I would rather him be alive and angry with me than dead. So I sliced my wrist and held it to his mouth, and he drank until his cut began to heal.

I believe force-fed is a tad hyperbolic. You suckled at my wrist like a newborn.

Fuck you, old man.

A smile spreads across my face.Are you okay?It is an incredibly complicated question, but he thankfully takes it at face value.

Yeah. I heard the elementai saved the whole world, and once I found out you were all okay, I figured I wasn’t needed.

There is no malice or pity in his tone, but it still saddens me to know he feels that way.

I spoke to Ophelia. Told her I was okay, he goes on, no doubt sensing my sentimentality.

I long to tell him he is both wanted and needed, but I do not wish to scare him off, so instead, I simply ask,Will I see you again, son?

I am met with an onslaught of his pain, along with a bit of the madness that seems to sit so close to the surface. But he must find some peace amongst his chaos—at least enough to answer me with sarcasm and wit.If I say no, you’re just gonna keep talking to me in my head, aren’t you?

Yes, I will never stop talking to you again. Never again will I allow you to slip so far away from me. I do not tell him that either, though.I am prepared to make you a deal. If you contact me once a month and you visit at least once a year, I will not invade your privacy. I will only reach out if there is something of grave import.

He is quiet for a few moments.I guess I can live with that.

Sensing he is nearing his limit of our conversation, I tell him the words I am most desperate to say.I love you, Lucian. You always have a home wherever I am.

More silence follows before he speaks again.See you around, old man.

My heart is full of gratitude. The road in front of us is long, especially for him, but we have nothing but time to heal the wounds between us. I can only hope that one day he learns to forgive himself. That matters to me more than whether he is ever able to forgive me.

For now, my body is tired and my mind is weary. My shoes sink into the wet grass as soon as I stop walking and take a moment to look to the sky.

Are you still here, old friend?

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