Reconciliation

Reconciliation

Thalia's POV

As soon as I heard those words from Rhys, my heart raced like it was about to jump out of my chest.

My eyes remained glued to his, and trust me, I wanted to believe him, no, I actually believed him, but that did not mean I forgave him just because he said he loved me.

“Rhys please. I want to be… I want to be with myself. Alone. I don't… I don't want all these things I don't—” He cut me off.

“I mean it Thalia,” he said, still holding my gaze.” Please, I love you. I really really love you Thalia.”

I took in a shaky breath. “Are you sure what you felt is love?” I asked him gently.

I saw him take a sharp breath, “What did you mean?” He asked like he did not understand what I tried to say.

I placed my hands on my thighs as I sighed. “Did you not see, Rhys?” I asked again. But it seemed he still did not grasp what I’m saying.

So I decided to just tell him directly. “Savena came, and you fled into her arms. When she left, you avoided me like a plague. Now you are telling me you love me. Tell me, would you believe it yourself?” I asked, staring at him.

Rhys breathed hard as he massaged his forehead, and then he faced me again. “I knew I messed up. I did not… you would not understand, Thalia,” He murmured, hanging his head low.

“Then, Make me understand Rhys. Do not just make me feel like I would not understand.” I urged him in a soft voice even if I wanted to be harsh at him now.

I knew Rhys, he likes to bottle things for himself. Then, he raised his head, his lower lip in between his teeth. “Okay,” he said.

Then he stared into space as he began. “Savena was my first love. We loved each other until the night when Reena contaminated her.” He paused as he swallowed.

I kept quiet, giving him time to continue. “After she got contaminated, Reena left, as usual. I was left to take responsibility, which I did. I tried everything to make her better,” He halt and smiled bitterly,

“But, I guess my best wasn't enough and eventually, they pronounced her dead. My brothers. Although I did not take a look to make sure if she was really dead, we all were in a haste to get it covered up. And since then, I had been drowning in guilt. So much guilt that I lost myself,” He said.

Then he took a shaky breath before facing me. “And when I saw her again, I was happy she was not dead. I even thought I would feel that spark between us again, but I felt nothing,” He said with a bitter laugh.

“I swore I was going to tell her I did not love her anymore, but before I could say a word, Savena reminded me how much she loved me and even went as far as telling me she still loved me even if I made her like that,” He said.

“I felt like she was my responsibility and it would be cruel to chase her away, not after she had the heart to forgive me and my brothers for our cruelty and…”

He exhaled. Swallowing hard.

“The thing is, the problem with me and savena started when she found out that I loved you,” He said.

“Found out you loved me?” I asked in a whisper.

Rhys nodded, then he continued. “Even though she knew I loved you, Savena was willing to stay, and that made me so helpless and stuck,” he said slowly. His hand held mine.

“But no matter how hard I tried, Thalia,” He said. In between his words, he stared intently into my eyes. “This heart knew what it wanted,” Rhys said, placing my hand on his chest.

“I love you, Thalia, so much that the mere thought of you brightens my day. And I swear never to hurt you again. Because I knew I have, but I promise not to ever do that to you again,” Rhys said, his voice a bit shaky like he was about to burst out.

My heart felt like it was about to explode . Watching this man say these things and the gut feeling of assurance that every word that came out of his mouth wasn't a lie.

I pulled him into a tight hug. “I love you too, Rhys, I love you so much,” I whispered, my voice clouded. As I wrapped my hands around his waist.

He leaned back just a little that he could see my face now. “ am I forgiven?” He asked, staring at my face with a scared expression.

I wanted to laugh at his expression, but I held it in, but I couldn't hold myself from teasing him. “Guess,” I teased with a frown.

And in that moment, I saw Rhys’s eyes water as he scratched his neck, making me burst into laughter.

“You are forgiven, my king,” I said while hitting his shoulder softly.

I saw him breathe in relief before he pulled me into a tight hug. We stayed in each other’s arms, no one said anything. I felt so much at peace, It was as though a burden had been lifted off my shoulder.

And when we pulled away from the hug and stared at each other’s faces.

“I love you,” Rhys whispered again before he pressed his soft lips gently on mine.