Chapter 27 Ashes of Love;
After their passionate lovemaking, Eva had surrendered herself to Kael's arms and dozed off for a while. When she opened her eyes, she found herself pressed against Kael's large naked body.
She lifted her gaze and studied Kael's face. He was exactly as he had been centuries ago, his reddish-brown hair, long lashes, sharply sculpted face, curved lips. Then she moved a bit closer and inhaled his scent. "Even your scent is the same," she murmured.
Her eyes filled with tears. Loving him in her new identity had been beautiful, but remembering her past, feeling this deep love, it made her feel something entirely different. She reached out her fingers and caressed his lashes. Then she traced down to the corner of his lips. Trying not to wake him, she slowly leaned closer and kissed the dimple that formed at the curve of his lip.
The poems they used to recite to each other in the past came to mind. And she softly murmured,
"Turn back our time, back to its most beautiful place. I've worn out both myself and you, in my dreams it's always you, every night. Let me turn to ash in your fires. Come back to me, let me find myself in your eyes. Turn back our time, to its most beautiful place."
Hearing this, Kael's lips slowly curved into a smile. "I've missed this voice so much," he said.
He wrapped her more tightly in his strong arms and pulled her to him.
Now it was time for these two lovers to rest for a while...
After Eva left with Kael, Elly got into her car. The flood of emotions she had just experienced was overwhelming even for her. She couldn't even imagine what Eva must be feeling.
But a thought inside her made her feel guilty even to herself. How was Joe?
She hadn't heard from him since Nancy took him away. Part of her tried to hate him, but the other part still cared about him.
Finally, in a moment of madness where she couldn't gather her thoughts, she drove to the Blackwood mansion.
When she reached the grand gates of the manor, they opened for her without a word. The moment she entered the courtyard with her car, she saw Nancy staring at her with hostile eyes.
At their last meeting, Nancy had looked remorseful, as if wanting to make things right, but apparently Joe's injury had made her aggressive.
Elly got out of the car.
"I was worried about Joe's condition," she said.
Nancy answered with raised eyebrows.
"Did you remember my brother when he was close to death? Seriously?"
Elly took a deep breath.
"Yes, Nancy, the sins he committed that brought him close to hell came to mind. I wanted to give that devil a kick before he left," she said.
Then she realized how absurd what she'd done was and turned toward her car.
"Since you can talk so casually, he must be fine. I'm leaving," she said.
Just then, a voice came from the balcony. "Come up, Eleanor."
When Elly turned her head, she saw Joe. There was a bandage wrapped around his bare chest from end to end, but he looked fine.
"No need, you're fine. I'm leaving," she said. The moment she opened the car door, Joe shouted.
"I still can't fully shift. If I jump from this balcony, you'll be responsible for my broken bones."
Elly turned her head in panic and saw Joe waiting on the balcony railing, ready to jump.
"What kind of psychopath are you! Every time I come one step toward you, do you have to throw yourself at me? This is straight-up shamelessness," she said.
"Are you coming, or shall I come down?" Joe said, his eyes holding a serious look.
Elly understood he was serious.
Nancy, meanwhile, had her arms crossed over her chest, watching them just like they used to be in the past.
Elly ground her teeth together and growled.
"I'm coming, you wicked wolf, wait!" she said, slamming the car door shut.
She entered through the manor's grand entrance and headed straight for the stairs. Then she turned right.
Immediately Nancy's mocking voice came from behind her. "I see you still know my brother's room by heart."
"Forgetting is your bloodline's job, Nancy. We guardians generally don't forget things we've seen once," she said.
She went inside.
Joe, who had been standing comfortably just moments ago, was now lying in bed as if he'd been wounded again.
Elly rolled her eyes. This was typical whining behavior.
"What is it, what do you want?" she said.
Joe made a gesture with his eyes to Nancy, who was leaning against the door watching them, telling her to leave.
Nancy closed the door and left.
Elly was suddenly irritated by the door closing. "What are you doing? Is it my turn to be killed now?"
A roguish smile curved Joe's lips.
"I would never think of killing you, Eleanor," he said.
Elly was surprised to see Joe's roguish smile after such a long time. Her heart was beating wildly, but she swallowed frequently to avoid showing it.
But Joe, being a wolf, was already listening to the rhythms of her rapid heartbeat.
"Come sit," he said, pointing to the bed.
Elly's brows furrowed.
"Let's not play games. I'm leaving," she said and headed for the door.
Just then, Joe braced his arm against the door and closed it.
Elly could feel his breath on the back of her neck. She swallowed and turned toward him.
Her crimson hair had fallen across her cheeks, over her freckles. Joe slowly tucked her hair behind her ear with his fingers.
When their eyes met, Elly's body began to tremble. But her heart was also very broken.
"Why did you want to harm Eva? Still haven't you understood that nature's balance depends on their union?" she asked.
Joe's gaze had softened.
"I'll always be the bad guy to you, won't I?"
Elly didn't want to answer. Even if she thought he was bad, she couldn't bring herself to hurt him.
"Never mind, why are we even talking about this," she said, heading for the door. But Joe grabbed her and turned her toward him.
He was a breath away from her face, leaning in closer.
"I heard you that day," he said.
Elly remembered the day Joe was injured. Damn it, I cried at his bedside saying 'please don't die!' You've embarrassed yourself, Elly, she thought to herself.
"Well... Eva was very angry at Kael. I told you not to die so their relationship wouldn't be ruined," she stammered.
Joe was laughing.
"Now who's the bad one? You only wanted me not to die so someone else wouldn't be upset!" He moved even closer. Now their lips were almost touching.
Elly's heart was about to stop. "Please stop mocking me," she said and turned her head away.
But Joe's eyes held a determined look. "For the first time in my life, I'm very serious, Eleanor!" he said and grabbed her chin, turning her face toward him. He gripped her waist and pulled her against him. Her feet lifted off the ground, her heart about to explode. Then suddenly he pressed his lips to hers...
It seemed this town was famous for its rekindled loves...