Chapter 79 Good Morning
ARYA
“He’s not getting a second chance.” I almost scoffed at the thought of giving Jaime a second chance. There was no way in hell that was going to happen.
“He doesn’t know that. His wolf doesn’t know that. And until he fully accepts it, he’s a threat.” Luca pressed his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry for being excessive. But Aeliana, seeing him with you and seeing that look in his eyes triggered something violent in me. I don’t like it.”
“I noticed.”
“I would have killed him if you’d asked me to.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t ask.”
“Probably wise.” He kissed me softly. “Come back inside. We have more preparations to finalize.”
“In a minute. I want to sit by the Moonwell a little longer.”
“Then I’m staying with you.”
“Luca—”
“Non-negotiable. Your ex-husband is somewhere on these grounds. I’m not leaving you alone.”
I sighed but didn’t argue. He sat beside me, his hand finding mine, and we stared at the water together.
“Tomorrow it begins,” I said quietly.
“Tomorrow everything changes. One way or another.”
“Are you prepared for this?” I needed to know I wasn’t the only one feeling like she was drowning.
Like I’m trapped in the ocean and slolwy losing the fight to try to get back to the shore.
“No.” Luca’s eyes looked incredibly gentle when they met mine. “But I’ll do it anyway. For you. For us. For the world you’re trying to build.” He squeezed my hand, his voice lowering. “And Arya? Whatever happens during that summit, whatever chaos ensues, I want you to know something.”
“What?”
“This—” He gestured to the restored temple, the Moonwell, the preparations going on, “—this is already a success. You’ve brought together forces that have been enemies for centuries. You’ve inspired hope in people who’d forgotten what hope felt like. You’ve changed the world just by existing and refusing to be diminished.”
Tears pricked my eyes and something heavy settled in my throat. “That’s… that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Then I need to say nicer things more often.” I chuckled seeing the way he twisted his face. He kissed my temple. “You’re extraordinary, Aeliana Moonborne. Never forget that.”
I cupped the side of his face and leaned forward, pressing my lips agianst his in a slow kiss that made my toes curl. It wans’t sexaul or anything but the strenght of everything i felt for him made my insides warm and i loved the feeling.
I loved how it felt like home. Something i was only starting to become accutsomed to after years of in survival mode.
“I love you.” I whispered when I pulled back, breathing heavily.
Luca didn’t let me get further away. He cups both sides of my cheeks and presses our forehead together.
“I love you forever, Aeliana.”
LUCA
I did everything possible, and even more than that when it cane to security. I made sure I went throigh every detail by myself and then I did it again just to be sure. But my mind was still restless. My body was charged with nervous energy. The crazy possessive need to hide Arya from all of this.
I kept mentally checking through all the posisbiltiies and challenges that might raise. Then I went over the solution for then. I was sure I’ve done everything possible and she would be fine, and if anything went wromng, she would be safe. It did nothing to calm my down and still, I couldn’t sleep.
Instead, I held Arya while she slept, still mappping out plans and structures. We had five hundred coalition warriors positioned outside our perimeter. Hundreds of guests would be arriving in a few hours, any of whom could be assassins.
Jaime fucking Blackthorne on the grounds, looking at my mate with those puppy-dog regret eyes made my blood partuculy cold. I didn’t know what I disliked more about him. The fact that he’d been stupid enough to have someone as magical as Arya and then he fucked it up royally and let her go. Or the fact that he had her at all.
Not to mention how badly he treated. That part specifcially makes me want out his eyeballs and shove down his throat.
But thoughts of her stupid ex aside. My mind couldn’t remove the image of all the possible dangers she could encounter.
All those forces had one thing in common. One person in the center of it all. Arya. she had multiple targets on her back and it goes every last one of my instincts to let her go through with this.
I want to lock her away where no one but me would have access to her. Where she would be protected and safe.
‘Yes! We should take her away,’ my Lycan growled. ‘Now. While everyone’s sleeping. Just disappear.’
‘She’d never forgive us.’ i almost growled the words out because he never seems to understand.
‘She’ll learn to forgive us as long as she is alive.’
We’d had this argument every hour for the past week. My beast wanted to run, to hide, to protect our mate by removing her from danger entirely.
The rational part of me knew that was impossible.
This summit was happening. With or without us. And if we weren’t here to control it, to shape it, then everything we’d worked for would fall apart.
I had to stay and play and prepare for a war that was disguised as peace.
My mind wa sstill running when Arya stirred in my arms. It was close to dawn and the world was already starting to wake up. I could hear movement from outside the door as people got ready for the day.
Her eyes slowly fluttered opened, and even with obvious exhaustion and stress, she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. She easily stole my breath.
Her lips curved into a sleepy smile when she found my eyes on her. But they slowly dropped into a flat line. And at that moment, I was ready to burn the whole world down so her smile would return.
“You didn’t sleep again,” her voice was down. I hated how she sounded anything but happy.
“It’s not a big deal.” I tried to brush it off, but she was already pulling away from me.
“Luca—”
“Don’t.” i cut her off gently, shaking my head. “I know what you’re going to say and you don’t need to. I’ll be well rested when this is over and you’re alright. I need you safe, baby. That’s all that’ll being me peace.”
That must have killed any fight in her. She sighed and nodded. I sat up and tugged her gently so she was half lying on my chest, then I kissed her forehead, over her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, and her lips.
“Good morning.” she whispered, her mouth against mine.
“Now, it’s a good morning.” I squeezed her waist tightly. “Guests will start arriving in three hours.”