Page 251 of Dark Souls

She threw her hands up in defeat, falling back into her chair and rolling her eyes. “How? How did you guess so quickly?”

I laughed, digging my fork into more of the Sarma because I quite liked her version. It was damn tasty. “I guess I should ask, whose heart am I eating?”

Her gaze locked with mine and she pressed her lips together. I froze. Swallowed. Placed down my fork.

“You finally killed her?” She remained silent but then slowly nodded her head, her fingers tapping nervously against her thighs. I leaned back in my chair and stared down at the Sarma containing my mortal enemy’s heart.

‘Rejoice! The witch is finally dead!’

I‘d lost track of how many times Heathen and I had thought about how this moment might feel. To know that we were still breathing while she wasn’t. That she had failed and the final Knowlton witch was dead in the ground. I’d handed Belladonna’s fate over to Ilaria gladly because I didn’t want her occupying any more space in my brain or my feelings. She was nothing to me. To heal, I had to let go of the hold she had on me and I did. I’d thrived. I’d never been so happy with meaningful relationships, friendships, purpose and love. Ilaria would eventually kill her, I knew that, but I had no idea when she would decide to do it. When she’d think enough is enough.

“Are you mad?” Ilaria asked carefully, her pink eyes searching my face for any reaction because I was offering none. I blinked and looked up at her. “Did I go too dark? Putting her in the Sarma?”

I burst out laughing. I laughed so hard my insides hurt. I couldn’t stop. The thought of Belladonna’s heart mashed up and blended with the mincemeat in the Sarma was just too much. Was it dark? Fuck, yes. But that’s why I loved it. That’s why I loved Ilaria. I grabbed her hand and yanked her off her chair, forcing her to straddle my lap.

“I love you, my princess of darkness.” I chuckled as she ran her fingers over the contours of my face.

‘Ha, see! I knew the names would grow on you,’Heathen joked in my mind.

I kissed her lips, pulling her together into my body as I deepened the kiss but as soon as I tasted the Sarma on her tongue, I pulled back with realisation.

“You ate her heart!”

She smirked and nodded, her hands wrapped around the nape of my neck and played with that back of my hair. “I did. I’ve been having some cravings.”

“Cravings?” I frowned in confusion. She leaned her back against the table, giving us enough room between our bodies for her to point down at the little white apron tied around her waist. “The second reason we are celebrating is in there.”

With an unsure smile and no idea what to expect, I reached into the small pocket and pulled out a photograph. Except it wasn’t a photograph. It was a scan. My eyes darted up to hers and she had tears in her eyes as she smiled brightly at me with so much love.

“I know we only decided this year to start trying but I guess it only took that first heat with no protection,” she explained as my heart pounded violently in my ribcage and blood rushed to my ears from the shock. “I’m pregnant, Luka.”

‘Holy fucking shit. We are going to be a dad?’

I stared at the scan and the strange little shape in the picture. It didn’t look much like a baby. My eyes flicked back up to hers and then down again at the picture. Up and down. Again and again. I had changed my mind about not wanting children about three years ago, but it was only this year that I found the courage to tell her. After the way the supernatural world had accepted my kind with curiosity rather than fear, I was secure enough to allow myself to hope to have a family of my own one day. I just didn’t think it would happen this quickly.

“Luka.” Ilaria placed her hands on my shoulders. “Breathe.”

As if her words gave me permission, I released a drawn-out exhale through my lips. “Is it…is it okay? It doesn’t look like a baby.”

She smiled widely. “Yes. It’s just too early to look like a proper baby. I am only a few weeks pregnant. But it is our baby, Luka. Our little bean. Are you happy?”

‘Our little bean. Fuck, I love that little bean already. Snap out of it and tell Snow how happy we are!’

Heathen’s pep talk and the nervousness in her voice caused my chest to tighten and forced me out of my shock. My face broke into the biggest smile before I grabbed her face and kissed her like the lifeline she was.

I pressed my forehead against hers and she giggled at my goofy smile. “Yes. Yes, I’m fucking happy, love. Thank you.”

“Well, it took two of us so thank yourself too.”

I shook my head. “No. Thank you. For finally giving me peace. This.” I pressed my hand against her stomach. “Us. This is my definition of peace.”

“And you are mine,” she whispered against my lips, unbuckling my jeans and sliding herself down on my hard cock. I groaned, holding her hips as she tugged my bottom lip between her teeth and lifted herself up and down on my lap.

“Now it’s time to really celebrate, Red.”

Without warning, she sunk her fangs into my neck and drank my blood as she fucked me hard, taking all that I had to offer her.

And she had it all—my heart, mind, body and soul… She’d given me back my life, and I’d spend every second of it loving her for all eternity.

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