Chapter 79- A Promise Between Us
Chapter 79- A Promise Between Us
He cradled the back of her head in his palm, pulling her forward, closing the remaining space between them.
This time, he did not hold back.
This time, he let himself fall.
Stone pressed his lips lightly against hers, savoring the moment with quiet reverence. Though her words had been firm, her heart resolute, he could still feel the hesitation woven into her touch. He wasn’t sure if it stemmed from the lingering shadow of Daniel or the uncertainty of what he was. Either way, he wouldn’t push her. He wouldn’t demand anything she wasn’t ready to give.
Instead, he simply allowed himself to feel.
Her warmth. The softness of her lips beneath his own. The quiet tremor in her breath.
It was bittersweet.
A whisper of pain still lingered on her lips—remnants of heartache she had yet to fully let go. He could taste it, feel it, and wished beyond anything that he could take it away.
She still loved Daniel. That much was undeniable.
But amidst that sorrow, something new was blooming—a fragile, unsteady feeling growing beneath the surface. A truth she had fought against, but could no longer deny.
She was choosing him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto him for a fleeting second before pulling away.
Without a word, he coaxed her to rest her head against his shoulder, allowing her to sink into the quiet comfort of his presence. Then, in one swift motion, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her into the living room. Settling into one of the plush leather chairs, he cradled her in his lap, enveloping her in his warmth.
One hand rested behind her head while the other held her close, pressing her against the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
If he could, he would hold her like this forever.
Brushing his fingers through her damp hair, he pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head, exhaling softly as she sighed against him.
For a brief moment, there was peace.
"I accept you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But before we can truly be together, you have to do one thing."
She stiffened slightly, but he soothed her, running slow circles over the small of her back until she relaxed once more.
" You need to break up with Daniel."
"I know," she whispered, her voice small, but resolute. She remained curled against his chest, unwilling to pull away.
"You’ll return to the city with Guinevere," he continued, his tone steady. "She will stay with you until you’ve made your peace with him. Tell him as much of the truth as you can—but not about what we are. Not about the vampires. Our survival depends on this secret. If he loves you, he will accept your reasons for leaving, because he will want you to be happy."
She nodded, but said nothing.
"Audrey," he said, softer now, tilting her chin upward so their eyes met. "Take as much time as you need."
Her eyes brimmed with tears, shining in the dim light. Before she could speak, he leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
She buried her face against his chest, silent tears sliding down her cheeks. He felt them soak into his shirt, felt the quiet tremble in her frame, and knew—this was going to be difficult.
But it was necessary.
He wished he could spare her from this pain, wished he could rewrite fate so that none of this had to happen. But this was something she had to do on her own.
She needed to free her heart before she could truly belong to him.
And truthfully, he needed time too.
Even now, after everything, the love he had carried for Adeline had not vanished. He still mourned her. He still held onto the memory of her, onto the grief that had shaped him for so long.
And no matter how much he told himself that Audrey was Adeline, that she was the reincarnation of the woman who had once been his everything, he wasn’t ready. Not yet. Not to love her the way she deserved to be loved.
And yet…
Kissing the top of her head, he vowed, in the quietest depths of his soul, that he would try. That he would do everything in his power to protect her, to give her a life of happiness—no matter how short their time together might be.
He wasn’t ready.
He owed her that much.
The road ahead would not be easy. Their path would be riddled with danger, with threats looming at every turn. But if she was willing to stand beside him, if she was willing to fight for them—then he would face it.
She was his soulmate.
And this time, he would not let go.