"You came for me. That's all that matters,” I spoke through tears, pulling away to see his face.
Indigo eyes ravaged me, traveling across my eyes, lips, nose, and returning to meet my tearful but happy stare.
"I've missed you.” I sniffed, smiling as my fingers combed through his short hair.
"I love you.” He stared deeply into my eyes, wiping away warm tears with his hand.
My heart felt as if it burst inside my chest upon hearing those words, and my bottom lip trembled.
"Say that again, please,” I begged, eyes fluttering closed, holding my breath.
"I love you, Emma. God help me. I love you."
I smiled, peals of happy laughter coming from my throat as I pulled his face down to my own. “I love you, too."
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Epilogue
We owed a debt to Trent—a huge one. As soon as Blace revealed Decimus's plan, he contacted Sam and explained how dire the situation was. Afterward, he helped coordinate the corresponding flights to get everyone together as quickly as possible—which wasn't easy. Time was short, leaving little to no wiggle room. Sarah, Derek, Billy, Haven, and Sam, all left Tennessee with the clothes on their backs, as did Caleb.
Decimus left the arena quietly, the heads of the houses departing along with him. It was obvious the werewolves unnerved them, and understandably so. Most of their unique abilities—such as necromancy and mind control—didn't affect werewolves. Even things like telepathy weren't a guarantee, just as it was with vampires.
I suppose supernatural creatures all emit their own protective shields.
Trent once explained that most truebloods didn't have a bundle of knowledge about werewolves. They sent people like him to take care of things in the states. They were too absorbed in their own doings to be concerned with other creatures.
I just hoped they continued to stay away.
And then there was Caleb, my wonderful and magnificent Caleb. It was impossible to be angry or upset with him, not after he'd come for me.
The minute Sarah told him about what was going to happen, he went ballistic. He was livid, terrified and angry with himself for ever conceiving I could be safer with anyone else. Derek joked they needed to tranq him on the flight as a precaution, in case he let loose in the plane and caused it to crash and burn.
My parents were more than happy to make his acquaintance, accepting that perhaps a life with vampires wasn't in my wheel of fate. My future was my own, and I knew exactly who I wished to share it with.
The one person I could never forget, no matter how hard I tried.
I felt like we'd never have time alone, impatient until everyone had been given private rooms. I brought Caleb to mine, nestling against him in the bed. All of the things in the past no longer mattered now that he was here, holding me in his arms once again.
I brushed my fingers along his silken eyebrows, down his nose and across his lips. The stubble on his face was thick and soft and I caressed his cheek with my hand, forging a path along his neck to his hair.
"I missed your touch,” he murmured and sighed blissfully, closing his eyes.
"I missed touching you,” I admitted quietly, smoothing his shorn locks and frowning.
"You don't like it short, do you?” He chuckled, opening his eyes to gaze up at my face.
I avoided answering his question. I'd take him bald if I had to.
"Why did you cut it?"
"It's how we mourn,” he answered simply, moving closer as my hands skimmed across his skin, brushing his chest against my arm.
"How you mourn?” I echoed.
"When we are mourning the loss of something significant, cutting our hair is an outward expression of that, so people know and understand."
"Like Derek?” I grasped what he was saying.
"Exactly.” He bobbed his head. “He had his hair shaved after he and Sarah separated."
"I'm glad it wasn't just hard for me,” I confessed softly, caressing his temple. “I thought it was easy for you."
He lifted up, pressing me into the mattress and looking down.
His face, voice, and eyes brimming with regret. “It wasn't easy for me. I promise you. Every minute killed me. Each night in that pit, every beating I took and gave, did nothing to alleviate or ease my suffering. And when Sarah called, scared to death about you...I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe. I was a fool to think I could let you go."
"Did you get my letter?"
He reached back, rifling in his jeans and producing an envelope. “I've carried it with me."
The love I felt inside erupted as I kissed him, his lips as soft as I remembered, full and warm. He groaned, merging his body into mine, his arm coming from underneath to cradle my head. I wrapped my arms around him, wishing I could absorb all of him inside of me so we would never be apart.
"We have plans to make.” He exhaled against my lips. “A trip of discovery, just you and me, wherever you want to go."
I opened my eyes and stared into his, a mischievous grin on my face. He cocked an eyebrow, grinning in kind.
"We do,” I agreed, leaning up again, desperate to feel his mouth on my own. “I'll be happy no matter where we go, as long as we're together."
"Hmm.” He grinned against my lips. “No special requests?"
"Just one.” I bit my lip, gazing deeply into those breathtaking indigo eyes. “That you will always love me."
"I will, Emma,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to mine, “Always."
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A word about the author...
Jaime Saare is a normal gal with a taste for the macabre. She started writing on the down low when she was in high school, keeping her work a carefully hidden secret—until now. In her spare time you can find her enjoying the simple pleasures in life, including: shooting a game of pool (straight eight, if you please), listening to her favorite band (NIN), or spending time relaxing with her husband and rambunctious brood.
You can visit her on her homepage: www.jasaare.com
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