Chapter 34

Killian:

I smiled as I saw Eleanor walking out of her room, wearing a knee long flower dress, knowing that it was one that she got with Natasha. 

Her hair was left in its natural curls, and instead of having it raised in a bun, she had it loose over her back. 

Her eyes met mine and she blushed before looking down at her feet. The sandals that she wore only added to her gentle beauty. 

“You look beautiful,” I said, and her eyes widened as her heart raced. Her cheeks reddened even more, if that was even possible, and she looked away as to hide her blush. I chuckled and took her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips as I gently kissed her knuckle. “Shall we?” 

She nodded in response and I smiled before opening the door and watching as she took slow steps downstairs. The fact that I hurt her the last time didn’t slip my mind and that was not something that I wanted. If anything, I wanted this garden to come back to life again, and that was going to happen with her. My sister wasn’t going to lose what she loved, and my mate was going to heal in this place.

The smell of roses hit my nostrils almost immediately and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my lips, despite the clench that I felt, as the picture of my sister appeared in my head. Eleanor froze for a second as she noticed that I stopped. She shook her head at me and I smiled.

“I just tend to take a moment to recall the memories of my sister. It is a habit that I can’t seem to let go of.” I said and she nodded in understanding. But it was indeed true. The garden was closed for over two years as I refused to speak at all. The shock that I was in forced me to stay quiet and by the time that I was able to find my voice again, everything in the garden was mostly neglected. 

“Have you ever tried sending her a message? You know, considering that this is her garden, maybe speaking to her, despite everything, can help.” She said, and I shook my head. Her innocence surprised me despite knowing that she has been through a lot more than most can or should handle, and that alone was something that I couldn’t help but want to both cherish and protect. 

“I have seen more people die than I have seen alive around me. And I know that when they are gone, there is no literal way of bringing them back. I just came to accept the fact that I have lost them for good.” I said and she shook her head, making me frown.

“They aren’t.” She said, confidently before she turned to face me. Her eyes met mine momentarily, hesitating for a second, before she raised her hand to my chest. She put her hand right where my heart was beating, and I couldn’t help but feel sparks course through my veins. She froze for a second, her eyes meeting mine before she went to remove her hand. However, I quickly raised mine and placed it on top of hers. “They live in here. Right with you, through every second of your day.”

“I doubt that she would be proud of me if that was the case.” I said, sighing as I looked down at our joined hands for a second. And I had to admit, it took everything in me not to call her mate or try to at least get a little closer to her, keeping in mind that I didn’t know what kind of trauma that she’s been through as I didn’t want to add more into her bowl.

“Why not? I doubt that she wouldn’t be proud of a kind hearted man like yourself.” She said, making my chest swell. “I know that I would be proud if I had a man like you in my life. If anything, it would be my reminder that I had a hero somewhere.”

“That hero watched die and he couldn’t do anything about it.” I said before I could stop myself. She froze for a second before removing her hand. She turned around, making me frown in confusion before she raised her hair, showing me her neck. A scar was right under her hair, as if the area had been stitched, and I couldn’t help but frown as I extended my hand to run my finger over it. She flinched at my touch, but I didn’t remove my hand as I let her know that my touch was going to be gentle.

“I saw my mama die too. This was a scar that I got that day, though I am not even sure how my father managed to hurt me the way that he did, or if it was him and not me hitting something as I tried hiding from his wrath. But I remember her whenever I touch or feel it under my finger.” She said, making my chest ache. “I still speak to her, even after all this time, and somewhere deep inside me, I know that she is listening to me.”

She put her hair down as she took a step forward, forcing me to remove my finger from her neck. “My point is, you need to trust that she would be proud of the man that you are just like I know that despite everything, that my mom is proud of me.”

“I doubt that you’ve done half of what I did, Eleanor.” I said, shaking my head at her.

“Maybe not, but I know that she wouldn’t be proud of the girl or woman that I became after she passed away. Maybe it was the circumstances, but it is not something that she taught me to be.” She said, making me grow curious. I shook my head in question before she smiled in assurance. 

“I know that if I ask that you won’t tell me, but I want you to also know that I would be your listening ear if you ever choose to open up.” I said and she smiled before taking a step forward. I stayed completely still, watching as she stood on her toes before her lips touched my cheek. Her kiss was feather light and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my lips as she pulled away. Her cheeks were crimson red, and she looked away as she bit her bottom lip, making me chuckle.

“I doubt that you would accept me for who I am if I do open up. But the gesture was kind of you, Alpha Killian.” I chuckled and extended my hand to hers, gently taking it in mine as I intertwined our fingers. The two of us walked further into the garden and I shook my head at her.

“You would be surprised what I am willing to accept when I want to.” I said, and she smiled, shaking her head at me. “Don’t worry, I have the patience of a cat, waiting for a mouse to come out of its hiding spot.”

“Am the mouse?” She asked and I laughed, shaking my head as we reached the table that I had the maids preparing for the two of us. Her eyes widened in surprise and I motioned for her to go to the table, pulling her chair out for her before I placed both my hands on the back of it as she sat down. My chin was on her shoulder for a second and my hot breath hit her cheek.

“You are the angel that is keeping the mouse safe.” I whispered to her, “but I intend to be the devil that gets it out. No matter how long it takes, malyshka…”