Chapter 59 You've Unmade Me
ARYA
When we finally returned to the dining room, everyone had moved to the sitting area. The knowing smirks told me they’d heard everything.
My face burned with embarrassment.
“Sorry about that,” I muttered.
“Don’t be,” Caspian said, his tone amused. “We’re all adults here. And honestly, it’s good to see him this… engaged.”
“Engaged?” I raised an eyebrow.
“He’s been alone for 800 years. Seeing him this alive, this present is a good thing.” Caspian raised his glass. “To the Luna who brought our king back to life.”
Everyone raised their glasses. Even Ryker, though his expression was carefully neutral.
After the toast, Ryker approached me.
“Can we talk now? Privately?”
I glanced at Luca, who nodded, though his jaw was tight.
We stepped out to a different terrace—one that hopefully didn’t smell like sex.
“I’m sorry,” Ryker said immediately. “For how I left. For making my feelings your problem. For not being a good friend when you needed one.”
“Ryker—”
“Let me finish.” He took a breath. “I’ve spent the last few weeks doing a lot of thinking. And training. And almost dying a few times because I was being reckless.”
“You almost died?”
“Picked fights I shouldn’t have. Took jobs that were too dangerous. Generally behaved like an idiot.” He smiled ruefully. “But it helped me realize some things.”
“Like what?”
“Like I was in love with the idea of saving you more than I was in love with you.” He held up a hand when I tried to protest. “I’m not saying my feelings weren’t real. They were. But they were also… complicated. Mixed up with guilt over not protecting you from Jaime, with anger at myself for not fighting for you sooner.”
“That’s not—”
“It is. And once I separated those feelings, once I really examined what I felt… I realized I loved you, but I wasn’t IN love with you. Not the way he is.” Ryker gestured back toward the house, toward where Luca was. “That male worships you. Completely. And you feel the same. I could see it the moment I walked in.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I know. And I’m not hurt. Not anymore.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I’m your friend, Ar. Your best friend. And I want you happy. That’s it. That’s all I want.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” His smile was genuine this time. “Besides, I met someone.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. Crazy warrior woman who called me out on my bullshit and then kicked my ass in sparring.” He laughed. “Her name’s Sage. She’s… well, she’s something.”
Relief flooded through me. “Tell me about her.”
We spent the next hour talking, really talking, the way we used to. About Sage, about his travels, about the summit, about everything and nothing.
When we finally headed back inside, it felt like we’d reclaimed our friendship. Not the same as before but something new and honest.
Luca was waiting just inside the door.
“Everything okay?” His voice was carefully neutral.
“Everything’s perfect.” Ryker extended his hand. “Take care of her. She deserves the world.”
Luca shook his hand. “I plan to give it to her.”
After Ryker left to find his quarters, Luca pulled me close.
“He’s a good male,” he admitted grudgingly.
“He is.”
“Still want to rip his throat out sometimes.”
“I know.” I kissed him. “But you won’t.”
“But I won’t.” He kissed me back, deeper. “Because I’m learning that loving you means trusting you. Even when every instinct I have screams to lock you away and never let anyone else near you.”
“That’s very mature of you.”
“Don’t get used to it. I’m still incredibly possessive and will probably embarrass you regularly with public displays of affection.”
“I’m counting on it.”
We headed upstairs, his hand never leaving mine.
The bedroom door had barely closed before Luca’s mouth was on mine, but this time the kiss was different. Warmer and deeper. It felt like coming home.
He pulled back, his glowing eyes searching mine in the dim light filtering through the curtains. “You’re sure you’re okay? With Ryker, with everything?”
“I’m more than okay.” I reached up, tracing the line of his jaw. “I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Something shifted in his expression, vulnerability mixing with desire. “Good. Because I need to show you something.”
“Show me what?”
“How much I love you.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Not just want you, Arya. I love you. Every stubborn, powerful, beautiful part of you.”
My breath caught as he slowly began undressing me, his hands reverent as they removed each piece of clothing with deliberate care, as if unwrapping something precious.
When I stood before him completely bare, he took a step back, his gaze traveling over every inch of my body with such intensity that I felt it like a physical touch.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” His voice was rough. “How you’ve completely unmade me?”