Page 74 of Beast of Blood and Roses
Without another word, he turned and bounded toward the broken doorway with fluid, powerful strides. His pack immediately fell into formation behind him, moving like a coordinated military unit. Within seconds, they had all disappeared into the bayou, leaving only the sound of rustling vegetation and the lingering scent of wild musk.
The sudden silence felt deafening after all the chaos and supernatural confrontations. My entire body sagged with relief now that the immediate threats were gone.
“Is it over?” I whispered, hardly daring to hope.
Fierro—though he’d always be my beast, my true love—kissed the top of my head, his lips warm against my hair. “Yes. It’s finally over.”
“We’ll never be statues again?” Marcel’s voice shook with emotion as he clasped Colette’s weathered hand tightly. His hope was almost heartbreaking after who knows how long of turning to stone every sunset, losing precious hours of their lives.
“Never again,” Tinker Bell confirmed with a gentle smile that reached her sparkling green eyes. She looked almost human rather than the terrifying witch who had cursed us all.
Marcel’s face crumpled with relief and joy. He picked up Colette and twirled her around like they were young lovers. “It’s over!” he laughed through his tears. “It’s finally over, ma chérie!”
Colette threw back her head and laughed—a sound of pure happiness that filled my heart with warmth. “We’re free, Marcel! We can watch the sunset together again!”
Watching their joy made my own exhaustion feel lighter. After everything we’d all suffered, seeing Marcel and Colette’s happiness reminded me that some stories really could have happy endings.
“You’re all free to do whatever you wish.” Tinker Bell glanced down at The Witch’s Heart in her hands, its dual colors pulsing gently. “I have to get this back to the coven where it belongs.”
But then her attention focused entirely on me, her green eyes studying my face with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. “You’re a very powerful witch, Aurora, and you desperately need to learn how to manage your abilities properly. Without training, you could hurt yourself or others.”
She looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer, but just thinking about doing more magic made exhaustion crash over me in waves. I could barely keep my eyes open. “I’m...just...” The words wouldn’t come. Everything felt too much, too overwhelming.
Fierro stepped slightly in front of me, his gaze steady and protective. “Not now. She’s been through hell today. She just learned her entire life was a lie, watched her kidnapper die, and nearly lost me. Whatever magical training she needs can wait.”
His fierce protectiveness made my chest warm despite my exhaustion. Someone was finally putting my needs first, finally recognizing I was at my breaking point.
Tinker Bell nodded slowly, understanding flickering in her expression. “Of course. Rest first. But don’t wait too long, Aurora. Power like yours needs guidance.”
“I love hearing my real name, Aurora, ” I whispered, testing the name on my tongue. It felt...right. Like coming home after years of being lost.
“Yes,” Tinker Bell confirmed gently. “Volaris changed your name when he stole you from us. That’s why we could never find you—you were hidden in plain sight.”
Tears of frustration and grief filled my eyes, spilling over as twenty years of living under a false identity crashed over me. “I never want to go by Rosalie again,” I said fiercely. That name belonged to the life of lies and abuse I was finally leaving behind.
Fierro lifted my chin with gentle fingers, his green eyes soft with understanding. “You won’t,” he promised. “You’re Aurora now. My Aurora. Mine.”
Tinker Bell quietly left the house, taking her powerful presence with her. Suddenly it was just the four of us again—Marcel and Colette still holding each other, and Fierro and me.
“Marcel,” Fierro tilted his head. “Take care of the body.”
Marcel nodded grimly, understanding what needed to be done with Volaris’ remains.
I stared at the spot where his body lay, feeling nothing. Twenty years of fake fatherhood had ended in blood, and I was surprised by how empty I felt. I didn’t care what Marcel did to him—burned him, buried him or fed him to the alligators. He didn’t deserve an honorable burial.
Fierro turned his attention back to me and gently lifted me into his arms, cradling me against his chest like something precious. “I need to take care of Aurora,” he said softly, and hearing my real name on his lips made my heart flutter.
I was finally free to be who I really was.
He carried me into my bedroom and gently placed me on the bed. “Can I stay with you?”
I smiled up at him through heavy eyelids and stretched out my hand. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
He immediately climbed into bed next to me, careful not to jostle me too much. I laid my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The sound was comforting, reassuring. I looked up at him with curiosity. “You have a beating heart?”
“I do, and it belongs to you.” He brushed his lips over mine in a tender kiss. “Sleep, little witch. Tomorrow, I plan on showing you just how much I really love you.”
Chapter Forty-Three
