Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. "I know, I know you've stood by me thick and thin, I know you've stood by me in my rock bottom, I know you've loved me even when I was doubting myself, even when I wasn't where I was supposed to be mentally" I whispered. "And I'm so sorry his words consumed my mind."
He tenderly wiped away a tear from my cheek, his touch soft. "We're stronger than his lies," he murmured, in adamant determination. "And I'll see that you never forget it."
We went back to the library, a cozy haven of bookshelves that never failed to provide us with comfort whenever we were low. Caspian built a fire, which crackled and its flames moved round and came to rest on and cast shifting shadows over the walls. We sat opposite each other in solitary chairs, the tension still between us now but now edged with determination instead of fear.
He bound my hand in his own carefully, as if he was afraid he would break them if he held onto them too tightly, his cold blue eyes cutting into mine. "Nathaniel planted seeds of doubt," he began, "but I must pull them out. I want you to believe in the existence of us. I want you to believe that we are end game and nothing can stop that from being a reality" I moved closer to him, leaning my head. "He wondered if I even loved you," I admitted. "He said to me that he always used to wonder whether I was afraid—afraid to be alone in the world, and so I chose to be with you."
His eyes became stronger as he gazed deep into my very soul. "You will never have to endure it alone," he swore. "Not while I live, not while I tread this earth Lily. I promise you that"
I swallowed, the power of his promise chasing the final doubts away. "Say it so doubt can fade," I gasped, shaking voice. "Tell me why you love me."
His eyes blazed and for an instant he did not respond, weighing his words. And then he did, each one slow and deliberate. "I adore the fire in your eyes when you grin, the flip of your hair and the beauty that overflows from you. I adore your courage—the fact that you've battled more shadows than most men and women will even catch a glimpse of in an entire lifetime, and still continue to love. I adore the way you gaze at me, as though you're gazing at all the pieces of me that nobody else has even tried to hold on to."
He leaned forward close, voice not much more than a whisper. "I love you for every scar, for every mistake, for every victory. I love you because you're standing here. And I'll spend my whole life making it real."
My heart hurt so badly, and my eyes filled with tears. I stroked his face softly with my hand. "I love you," I said softly. "And I know that everything that you've just said is true. But let me tell you that I am not where I'm supposed to be mentally and emotionally"
He closed his eyes to my words, relief spreading across his face. And he kissed me—a hot, tender kiss infused with home. In this, all doubt, all fear, all crack Nathaniel had attempted to blow wide shut sealed, sealed by the unbreakable firm bond that was us.
Later at midnight because the fire had reduced to smoldering embers and the library warmth yielded to night chill. We strolled out into the garden, arms about each other. The night was sweet with the scented air of night-blooming jasmine that filled the air around us on the walkway.
We strolled abreast in silence, surrendering ourselves to the quiet of the garden and calming our ever-present fears. Caspian nudged me before a tiny fountain, his fingers tracing a circle so that I stood before him.
Let us not forget this moment Lily," he told me, dark eyes unwavering as he held gazes into mine. "The moment that we chose to trust one another, to tread the path to any black hand, hand in hand."
I nodded, shivering within his arms. "I'll never forget it Caspian." I spoke softly, my voice filled with deep emotion.
He brushed hair from my head and kissed the crown of it. "I love you," he told me, harsh and invincible as an oath.
"I love you with all my heart Caspian and I do hope we come out the other side of this trail alive and together," I told him, my voice tight with strength and determination.
By night, in moonlight, with the fountain softly splashing and the moon shining its light, we made our vow official with a kiss—slow, gentle, and eternally true. We had battled our demons and come out victorious. Nathaniel's attempts to destroy us merely served to reinforce our love.
And so we returned to the villa, our hearts unfettered, unchained. The gaps he had sought to fill were stopped by irresistible passion, hot passion, and honor. We were never going to be torn apart from one another—never, after our passion had been tested and proved unconquerable.
That night, clinging to each other with all our strength, the rest of the world beyond our own little world no longer frightened us. The terrors of our past were not so powerful. Instead, they had been routed by a future upheld by hope, faith, and love that could brave any storm.
And thus, our dazzle gazed intently and chests panting together, we slept sound sleep—alike, as one, and willing to face what the next morning would bring forth.
I still had something on my mind though. What was Nathaniel going to do next, because I know that he is not the type of person to give up after failing, so I lay down, face upwards as I gazed at the ceiling. I wished with all my heart that whatever he was going to do next wouldn't harm Caspian.