Chapter 209
Lynette's POV
The phone was still warm in my hand when Elara's face filled the screen.
Her eyes were red. Puffy. Like she'd been crying.
Fuck.
"Lynette!" Her voice cracked. "Oh my god, you're really okay?"
I adjusted the camera angle. Made sure she could see my face. My shoulders. No visible injuries.
"I'm fine," I said. Kept my voice steady. "Not a scratch."
She leaned closer to her screen. Scanning every inch of me like she was looking for hidden wounds.
"The news said the cruise ship exploded," she said. Her breath was coming fast. Uneven. "They showed footage. The whole thing was on fire. I thought—"
She stopped. Pressed her hand over her mouth.
I'd seen that look before. On soldiers' faces when they thought their commanding officer was dead. That mix of relief and residual terror.
But this was different.
This was family.
"I got out before it went up," I said. "I'm safe. I promise."
Elara nodded. Wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Took a shaky breath.
"When are you coming home?" she asked. Her voice was small. Vulnerable. "Lynette, it's too dangerous there. Whatever you're doing, just... just come back."
Home.
The word settled in my chest. Heavy. Warm.
Twenty years in my first life and I'd never had that. A place to return to. People who wanted me back not because I was useful. Not because I could protect them.
Just because I was me.
"Day after tomorrow," I heard myself say. "I just need to wrap up a few things here."
Elara's face crumpled. "Can't you come tomorrow?"
"I need one more day," I said gently. "But I'll be back soon. I promise."
She bit her lip. Nodded slowly.
"Mom and Dad are worried too," she said quietly. "I didn't tell them where you went. Just said you were visiting a friend. But they keep asking when you'll be home."
Something twisted in my chest.
Mom and Dad.
I still wasn't used to those words. To having parents who gave a shit.
"Tell them I'll be back soon," I said. "And I'm being careful."
Elara looked at me for a long moment. Like she was trying to memorize my face.
"Promise me you'll stay safe," she said. "These next two days. Please."
"I will."
"I mean it, Lynette. No more explosions. No more—" She gestured helplessly at the screen. "Whatever the hell you're doing."
I couldn't help it. I smiled.
A real smile. Not the cold smirk I used to wear in my first life. Not Elara's soft, submissive smile.
Just... mine.
"I promise," I said again. "You take care of yourself too."
She nodded. Managed a wobbly smile back.
"Okay," she whispered. "I love you."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
I love you.
No one had ever said that to me before. Not in my first life. Not once in twenty fucking years.
My throat felt tight.
"I love you too," I said.
The words felt strange in my mouth. Foreign. But true.
Elara's smile widened. Brightened.
"See you soon," she said.
"Soon," I agreed.
The screen went black.
I sat there for a moment. Staring at my own reflection in the dark glass.
My hand was shaking.
Just slightly.
I set the phone down. Pressed my palms against my thighs.
Going home.
I was going home.
The thought made something warm unfurl in my chest. Something I didn't have a name for.
I stood up. Paced to the window. The Pinehollow estate stretched out below. Dark. Quiet. Snow covering everything like a blanket.
I'd been in this room for fifteen hours. Sleeping. Recovering.
But now I felt restless.
My body was healed. The exhaustion from the fight had faded.
But my mind was racing.
I needed to move.
I grabbed my coat from the chair. Thick. Black. Warm enough for the cold outside.
The hallway was empty when I stepped out. It was past seven in the evening but the estate was still.
My boots made soft sounds on the hardwood floor. I moved quietly out of habit. Even though I didn't need to.
The garden entrance was at the east wing. I pushed through the heavy door and cold air hit my face.
Fuck, that felt good.
I took a deep breath. Let the icy air fill my lungs. Clear my head.
The garden was covered in snow. Pristine. Untouched except for—
I stopped.
Footprints.
Fresh ones. Leading from the main path toward the far end of the garden where the trees grew thicker.
I tilted my head. Studied them.
Large. Deep. A man's stride.
Recent. The edges of the prints were still sharp. Not yet softened by wind or fresh snow.
Curiosity pulled at me.
I followed.
The path wound between frozen flower beds and snow-covered benches. The footprints led me deeper into the garden. Away from the lights of the estate.
The trees here were older. Taller. Their branches heavy with snow.
And there, in a small clearing where moonlight broke through the canopy—
Kael.
He was standing with his back to me. Facing the forest beyond the estate walls.
His shoulders were tense. Rigid. His hands were shoved in his pockets.
He looked... lonely.
The word came to me unbidden. But it fit.
Standing there in the moonlight. Alone. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the fucking world.
I almost turned around. Left him to whatever he was dealing with.
But my mouth opened before my brain caught up.
"Little late to be out here, isn't it?"
He turned.
Fast. Controlled.
For a split second I saw surprise flash in his eyes. Like he genuinely hadn't expected me.
Then his expression smoothed. Became that careful neutral mask he wore so well.
"Couldn't sleep," he said. His voice was low. Rough. Like he'd been quiet for too long. "Needed some air."
I moved closer. My boots crunching in the snow.
"Yeah," I said. "Me too."