Page 63 of To Crave Truly

Fenris swing the door open wider and I caught sight of Alec sat on one of the loveseats.

I brushed a tear away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise I was interrupting. I’ll go.” I went to turn away, but Fenris’ hand shot out to stop me.

“Wait. Don’t go, Lori. Of course you can sit with us.”

At Fenris’ words the dam broke, and all the tears and exhaustion took over. I collapsed into his arms and just let everything go. I’d worry about everything later. About Mordecai, Selene, the witches… it could all wait.

Right now, I needed a cathartic release, and I was going to curl up between Alec and Fenris and just have a really good cry. I could fix the world later.

Fenris scooped me up into his arms and I realised how much I’d missed his woodsy scent. We’d spent so much time apart that I’d almost forgotten what being in his arms felt like. It was like heaven, safe and warm and cosy as he lay down with me becoming the big spoon. Alec curled up in front of me and I let my exhaustion carry me into the depths of sleep knowing I was safe and taken care of.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lori

Iawoke a few hours later to the calming smell of lavender. I was alone in the bed but there was someone moving around in the bathroom. I climbed out of bed and strolled over. As I peered around the door, I caught sight of Fenris running a bath and humming away as he did it. It was such a domestic sight, and it had my heart melting. I wanted this. Wanted him. But he was with Elissa, and I could only wish for something that would never be.

I must have sighed or made a noise because Fenris jerked his head around and caught me watching him.

“Hi,” he said with a smile that warmed my insides. “I, er… thought you might want a bath.”

I smiled back at him; he was so very sweet. “Sounds wonderful.”

He swirled his hand through the bubbles and a fresh wave of the lavender hit my nose. I breathed it in deep, the scent calming my frazzled nerves.

“Any news on Jasper?”

“Not yet, but Levi messaged to say he was out of the woods. He’s asleep and will be awake soon Torsten is resting and after your bath I will take you wherever you want to go.”

Relief flooded through me, and I almost burst into tears again, but I restrained myself. I didn’t think I had anymore tears left to cry after earlier.

“Thanks.” I started to strip out of my clothes but when he began to do the same, I froze.

“What are you doing?”

He smiled sheepishly and God, I wanted to kiss him right then, but I couldn’t. “I thought I might join you.”

“Wh-what?” I stuttered. “What about Elissa? The wedding?”

He strode over to me, cupping my face. He was so close. Close enough to kiss. “The wedding’s off.”

“No,” I gasped. They were supposed to unite the two powerful houses, it had been planned for years. “Why?”

I hoped this wasn’t because of me or whatever was going on with him since I brought him back from the dead.

“Because I choose you, Lori. I love you. Have for a very long time and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to realise.”

“But Elissa—”

“Will be fine. Yes, I need to mend some bridges there but for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I’m doing something for myself.”

Wonder flew threw me, igniting hope in my veins. “You mean…?”

He smiled, bright and wide and I felt myself returning it.

“Yes, Lori, I’m free.”

I didn’t waste another second. I pulled his mouth to mine and finally, finally felt his lips against mine. He devoured me with a kiss that burnt my soul. Every part of me rejoiced in us finally making the connection, finally giving into all that desire and need that had built up between us. I drank him in, every last fucking drop of him, like I might never taste him again. His magic hummed through the air, and I wasn’t sure if he was even aware of it, but I felt it prickle along my skin, making me feel alive.

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