Chapter 86 Shared Hearts
[Nyx]
I woke at five-thirty, not from a nightmare or external sound, but from the overwhelming awareness of something new—a presence at the edge of my consciousness that hadn't been there before.
Lysander.
His breath. His heartbeat. The blurry edges of a dream he was having—something about running through forests, chasing shadows.
What the hell?
My eyes snapped open. Found him already awake, staring at me with those molten amber eyes.
"You can feel me." Not a question. A confirmation.
I nodded slowly, my hand moving to my chest as if I could touch this invisible thread connecting us. "Like... like you've always been here. Inside me."
His fingers traced the mark on my shoulder—the one he'd left last night. The crescent-shaped bite had settled into a permanent silvery-gray pattern, two elegant canine impressions forming a moon's arc, with delicate frost-like tendrils radiating from the center. When he touched it, warmth pulsed through the bond, and I watched the mark glow faintly, responding to his proximity.
Warmth.
The word appeared in my mind, but it wasn't mine. It was his.
And suddenly my chest flooded with heat, like standing in direct sunlight after weeks of winter.
"Did you just—"
"I thought of warmth," he said softly. "And you felt it."
I swallowed hard, testing this new ability. Focused on a single concept: Safety.
His eyes widened. "Fuck."
"What?"
"It's like... being wrapped in armor. But softer. Warmer." He shook his head in wonder. "This is incredible."
Incredible wasn't the word I'd use. Terrifying. Exhilarating. Intimate in a way that made last night's physical connection seem almost superficial.
Through the bond, I felt everything—thirteen years of buried longing, the depth of his love for me, and something else. Something that made my throat tighten.
Awe.
He was in awe of me.
---
Breakfast became an experiment in sensory sharing.
I deliberately focused on the bitter taste of coffee, watching Lysander's face scrunch up even though he was drinking orange juice.
"I can taste it," he said, amazed. "Even though I'm not—"
"Drinking it, I know." I grinned. "This is going to take some getting used to."
When my fingers touched the cold glass of water, he shivered.
"We'll need to learn how to shield," he said, voice serious now. "Especially in combat situations. If you're in pain—"
"You'll feel it too." The realization settled like ice in my stomach. "That's the price, isn't it? Your pain is mine. Mine is yours."
His hand found mine across the table. "Then we protect each other. Always."
Always. The word echoed through the bond, a promise deeper than any vow.
My phone shattered the moment.
Dr. Harrison's name on the screen made my heart leap.
"Miss Verdant has regained consciousness," he said, relief clear in his voice. "Her vitals are stable. She's asking for family."
I was halfway out of my chair before Lysander had already grabbed my coat. The synchronization startled us both.
"Bond benefits," he said with a slight smile.
Through the connection, I felt his steady confidence wrapping around my panic like a shield.
She's going to be okay, he sent through the bond.
I took a deep breath, letting his certainty ground me. "Let's go."
---
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet in the early morning, only the distant beep of medical equipment breaking the silence.
My pulse hammered against my ribs. Through the bond, Lysander felt it immediately—his hand finding mine, fingers intertwining. The moment our skin touched, I felt his strength flowing into me.
"Your sister woke up asking for you," the nurse said with a gentle smile. "First words out of her mouth were 'where's my sister?'"
My eyes burned.
Through the bond, Lysander felt the complex tangle of emotions—surprise, guilt, love, that stunned realization of she really cares about me.
"She kept asking about Alpha Blackwood too," the nurse continued. "He stayed until four in the morning. Wouldn't leave her side."
Something warm unfurled in my chest. Not jealousy—genuine happiness that Lilith had someone who cared that deeply.
Lysander's approval hummed through the bond, a wordless proud of you.
---
I pushed open the door.
Lilith was propped up in bed, pale but alert. Her silver-blonde hair was tangled, dark circles under her eyes, but when she saw me—
"Nyx!"
Her voice was hoarse, but the emotion in it broke something in me.
I crossed the room in three strides, my hands finding hers. "I'm here. I've always been here."
Tears streamed down both our faces. Years of misunderstanding, jealousy, hurt—all of it dissolved in this single moment.
Through the bond, Lysander felt everything—the weight of our shared childhood, the pain of growing apart, the fierce love that had never truly died. He stayed by the door, giving us space but keeping that steady anchor point through our connection.
I'm here. You're not alone.
"I thought I'd lost you," I choked out. "When the avalanche hit, I thought—"
"I know." Her fingers squeezed mine. "I know, Nyx. I'm so sorry. For everything. For being so stupid about—" Her gaze flickered to Lysander.
"It's okay," I said quickly. "It's all okay now."
Dr. Harrison entered for his examination, professional but warm. "Excellent progress, Miss Verdant. Two more days of observation and you should be cleared to go home."
"Damon?" Lilith asked, color rising in her pale cheeks.
The doctor smiled. "Alpha Blackwood just went to rest. He'll be back soon, I'm sure."
Her face lit up—genuine, unguarded joy.
She really loves him, I sent to Lysander.
His response was immediate, warm with approval. And he loves her. You can see it in everything he does.
Dr. Harrison left us alone again. Lilith's grip on my hand tightened.
"I need to tell you something," she whispered. "About Selene—"
"We know." I squeezed back. "We have her in custody. You don't have to worry about her anymore."
Relief flooded her expression, followed quickly by confusion. "How did you—"
"Long story." I sat on the edge of her bed carefully. "One I'll tell you when you're stronger. Right now, you just need to focus on healing."
"You saved my life." Her voice cracked. "Damon told me everything. How you organized the search, took command, refused to leave until you found me."
"You're my sister." The words came out fierce, protective. "I would never abandon you. Never again."