Page 82 of Doyle

“You no longer need me, do you?” William asked.

I closed my hand over his, my fingers hovering just half an inch over William’s translucent skin.

“I’ll be alright,” I said, surprised by the sincerity in my voice. “Before you leave, I wanted to thank you.”

“For what?” William asked.

“For sending Michael to me.”

“Silly dragon,” William said, giving me an affectionate peck on the cheek. “You found him on your own.”

The lake, the woods, and William disappeared, and suddenly I was back in the real world.

I was in my bed at my private cabin, Michael curled next to me, snoring softly.

I felt a slight pressure on my chest, and when I looked down, the handprint was gone. I didn’t need it anymore.

Maybe William’s spirit had lingered all these years, keeping me company, preventing me from being swallowed by despair and loneliness.

But now, I had Michael.

I turned on my side and watched Michael sleep for a moment. Three months had passed since we got rid of Liliana and her coven.

Thankfully, Michael no longer sleepwalked and had stopped having nightmares.

I gently tucked a stray strand of hair that had fallen across his face. Michael stirred and groggily opened his eyes.

“Sorry, did I wake you, love?” I asked.

“Nah, that’s alright,” Michael replied, reaching for my hand and resting it over his cheek. “Something bothering you?”

I shook my head. “No, everything’s perfect.”

I leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. Michael responded, his lips soft and warm against mine.

We lingered like that for a moment, savoring the connection.

“William visited me in a dream,” I admitted softly, brushing my thumb over Michael’s cheek.

Michael’s eyes widened slightly. “What did he say?”

“He said I did well protecting you,” I replied. “And that I no longer need him.”

Michael smiled, a tender, loving smile that made my heart swell.

“He’s right. You don’t need him. You’ve got me,” Michael said.

I nodded, feeling a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“I do. And I’m never letting you go,” I told him.

Michael snuggled closer, wrapping his arms around me.

“Good, because I’m not going anywhere,” Michael said.

We lay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains.

For the first time in years, I felt whole.

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