Page 85 of Resisting my Forbidden Fae

“He tried to take you away.”

Hands caressed her shoulders, a relaxed motion that didn’t miss soothing her. That feeling traveled inside, settling in places that were still weary from what her entire being had to fight. The hours had been hectic, to say the least, but this quiet moment with him made up for it—made up for most things, really, including how she had lost herself and resurrected from it. She leaned her head against his shoulder, mind fluttering with ruminations. But one stood out.

“What did Malifeskos do?” she asked. “Why did the bald man punish him but hold off with me?”

He kissed her hair, then sighed into her lips. She kissed him back, desire forming a hunger so pure that it made her giddy. But a tenderness blanketed them when he retreated.

“Because he had no one when he needed help,” was all he said, but it was enough for her to get it. Her chest constricted once more, but it didn’t feel as agonizing this time. She took his hand and traced circles on his palm.

“But we are here for him now.”

He turned that hand and squeezed hers. “Yes. We are. We will be. He’s one of ours now.”

“I hope the others recover from this.”

“They will. In time,” he assured. “We will all mourn Oscar differently. Diego and Riva together, and Sona…she needs her space. She needs to heal the most.”

Understanding swelled. So did the vow to keep in touch with the three people who had said their goodbyes, reciprocated her apology with kindness, and went their separate ways.

But Charlie stayed. He would always stay, the beacon to her darkness—and so would she. She looked up to find his gaze already on her and his expression that of someone who had once been to hell and back. She cupped his cheek, thumb rubbing the center. She pressed tighter, willing her body to offer the comfort he needed, too.

The man relaxed in stages, melting into her. She melted back.

“I love you. I don’t think I got to say it.”

Daria watched the way he lit up and felt her heart fall even more. Then he smiled.

“We don’t need words. But it’s nice to hear.” A pause. “How does it feel? Not having magic?”

“It’s…odd. My body’s still adjusting to it. My mind understands it was for the best. The demon energy is gone.”

“And your heart?”

Daria expected herself to contemplate it, but the answer was surprisingly clear.

“Full. Fuller than it has ever been in my life. I thought I needed magic to survive, Charlie—that something was missing, and I needed to get it back to be whole. But I already had everything here. My family loves me and will help me. And now…I have you, too. It just took me a while to see it.”

“You always had me. It just took me a while to see it, too.”

“Aren’t we idiots?”

Charlie grinned, so heartbreakingly beautiful. “Major ones.”

She grinned back, then sobered. “I’m a demon, Charlie. A part of me is.”

“Then you are my little demon.”

The sheer stubbornness in his tone and the look in his eyes eased the worries until she only saw him: the man who loved her just as much.

“What happens next?” she asked.

“I will find a job. Start over again on my terms. You will continue seeing the world. You will thrive in it. But Daria?”

“Hmm?”

“Can we take a vacation from mountain journeys and bald men for now?”

“Sure. What do we do, then?”

A gleam entered his features. He kissed her shoulder, raw with emotion and just a touch of mischief.

“I can think of a few…activities.”

Sitting on the tree branch that had always been one of their spots, with no definite plan in mind and Charlie beside her, Daria thought nothing could have been more perfect.

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