Page 191 of BounBound By Scars

But she never looked away from me.

Not for a second.

I reached up, brushing a trembling thumb against her cheek.

My Lia.

She was here.

I was here.

A smile cracked through my busted lips.

“I’m okay,Heer,” I whispered, even as my body swayed.

And finally—finally—she smiled too.

Through the tears. Through the ache.

Our lips met with urgency—raw, desperate. I couldn’t stop it.

Didn’t want to.

I had to have her. Right there. Audience be damned.

Her mouth moved against mine, her tongue tangled with mine, tasting of not just longing—but fear. Relief. Survival.

When we finally parted, I was breathless.

And disoriented. Like I couldn’t believe I was really here. I blinked back the sting behind my eyes… then looked up—past Amelia’s shoulder.

Everyone was there.

Standing in the hallway just behind her.

Their faces were a mess of emotions—relief, disbelief… and something else.

Remorse?

I frowned.

Zane’s lips were pressed tight, his eyes glassy but cautious. Kaylan’s hand covered her mouth. Delara had a grin—wobbly, but real.

Leora rolled her eyes when she saw me squinting at them all. “You couldn’t just text like a normal person?”

That earned a faint laugh around the bay.

But I could see her glistening eyes.

Logan stepped forward first, sniffing, his usual boulder-like presence a little softer.

I managed a tired smile, standing up—nodding at him.

Amelia shifted slightly to make space, but before Logan could get to me—Zarek spawned like a damn…ghost.

His hand clamped down on my shoulder, and I startled.

“Za—”

---