Page 95 of Chaos Carnival

Our breathing slowly returned to normal, the sweat cooling on our skin as we lay entwined, basking in the afterglow. Maverick's fingers traced lazy contours on my back, a gentle counterpoint to the fierce possessiveness of our earlier passion.

As our heartbeats synchronized in the sanctuary of our bond, we found a moment of perfect peace. Limbs entwined and hearts returning to their normal rhythm, I wished I could freeze this moment, hold it close and never let go. The tranquility of the moment was a fleeting balm, a respite from what soon awaited us.

I knew, with a heavy certainty, that fate had a plan that would call me into the eye of the storm. But as Maverick's heart beat a steady rhythm under my cheek, the world seemed to pause. For now, entwined with Maverick, I allowed myself to simply be. No thoughts of Cirque de Sanguine, no echoes of looming threats, just the two of us, bound by a love that had defied the odds.

“Maverick,” I whispered, my fingers tangling in his dark hair. “We're caught in a cycle, you and I. Breaking and rebuilding, over and over.”

He stilled above me, his eyes searching mine for answers I couldn't give. “What are you saying, Tess?”

I shook my head, a sad smile playing on my lips. “We're stronger than we know, Mav. Even when we're shattering, we always find a way to piece ourselves back together.”

“Tess…” A dark hush flickered across his face, a thought he couldn't quite grasp. I pressed a kiss to his forehead, his cheeks, the tip of his nose, trying to memorize the shape of him, the taste.

“There's something coming,” I confessed, my voice just above a whisper. “A storm on the horizon. And when it breaks, I need you to remember this. Remember us. And no matter what happens, the circus must continue. It's our anchor.”

He sat up, arms tightened around me, as if he could shield me from the future I spoke of. “Tess, love. Don't do this. Talk to me.”

“I can't. Just promise me, Maverick. Promise you'll keep the heart of this place beating.”

His grip tightened, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “No. We face things together, that was the deal. I didn't claim you, didn't fight for you, didn't build this whole damn circus just to let you face whatever this is alone.”

I flattened my palm to his chest, his heart racing beneath my touch. “You're right. We did build this together. That's why it has to be protected.”

“Then let me protect it. Let me protect you.” His voice broke on the last word, and something in my chest shattered with it. “Whatever you've seen, we can find another way. We always do.”

I shook my head, tears spilling over. “Not this time. This is the way it has to be.”

“Says who?” His hands cupped my face, thumbs brushing away my tears. “You bend the rules of magic every damn day. Why not now?”

“Because sometimes a price has to be paid.” I leaned into his touch, absorbing the memory of how his skin felt against mine. “I promise I'll always be here with you.”

He started to protest again, but I silenced him with a kiss, pouring all my love, all my fear, all my hope into it. His kiss turned desperate, clinging to what he sensed was slipping away.

After some time, I pulled back, wove some sleep around him, with just enough will to overcome his defenses. He fought it—of course he did, my stubborn, protective seraph—but eventually succumbed.

His breathing deepened, his features softening in sleep and my fingers traced the sharp line of his jaw. The moonlight filtering through our tent cast silver flames across his face, making him look almost vulnerable. Almost human.

My throat tightened. How many nights had I spent like this, curled against his warmth? How many mornings had I woken to his sleepy smile?

“I'm sorry,” I whispered, brushing my fingers through his hair. “You'd try to stop me. You'd tear the world apart trying to find another way.” The touch made him stir, and I pulled back. “But there isn't one. I've looked at every possibility. This is the only path forward.”

My chest ached with the gravity of secrets kept, of futures I couldn't share. Each day had been a battle not to break, not to tell him everything when he looked at me with such trust and love. The webs had shown me how he would react if he knew. His desperate attempts to change what couldn't be changed would only make everything worse.

I slipped from our bed, careful not to disturb him. The silk of my robe whispered against my skin as I settled at the small writing desk, but the paper remained blank for long minutes as I struggled to find the right words. Even now.

My hand trembled as I began to write. How do you say goodbye to the other half of your soul? The ink flowed across the page, carrying my heart with it. I told him everything I could, then folded the letter carefully, sealing it with a kiss.

Back in bed, I curled around Maverick's sleeping form. His arm automatically wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. Even in sleep, he tried to protect me.

Tonight, I was just Tess, holding onto the man I loved, counting his heartbeats like precious gems, storing away these last quiet moments like treasures.

Chapter 45: Midnight Performance

Tess

Thenextday,frommy hidden vantage point behind the curtains, I watched Maverick stride into the center ring. His presence commanded attention, shadows trailing in his wake like living things. The spotlight caught his sharp grin as he spread his arms wide.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and ghouls, welcome to Cirque de Sanguine! Prepare yourselves for a journey into the darkest corners of your imagination, where fear takes center stage and nightmares come to life!”

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