Page 94 of His to Destroy

Love.

Chosen and fought for.

I hold Luca tighter, feeling the steady thud of his small heart against mine, and I know with a bone-deep certainty that I would kill and die a thousand times over to keep him safe.

To keep them both safe.

Later that night, the villa hums with the quiet sounds of life.

The distant crash of the waves outside the open windows.

The creak of floorboards as Almeria pads barefoot through the kitchen, making tea.

The faint hum of Luca’s voice singing to himself as he changes into his pajamas.

I sit on the couch, legs stretched out, staring into the dimly lit room.

The peace is overwhelming.

I’m not used to it.

It feels fragile, precious.

Like if I breathe too hard, it might shatter.

Almeria comes to sit beside me, curling into my side without a word.

I pull her close, resting my chin on her hair.

For a long time, we say nothing.

Just exist.

Just breathe.

Finally, in the darkness, I whisper, "I’m scared."

She shifts to look up at me, brows knitting.

"Of what?"

I stare at the ceiling, searching for the words.

"Of failing you," I admit hoarsely. "Of failing him. Of not being enough. Of bringing the darkness with me everywhere I go."

Her hand cups my cheek, turning my face back to hers.

"You’re already enough," she says fiercely. "You’ve always been enough."

I close my eyes, letting her words sink in, letting them fill the cracks that even victory hadn’t sealed.

"You saved us," she whispers. "You gave Luca a father. You gave me hope again."

I open my eyes and meet hers.

"And you gave me a reason to be better," I say roughly. "To be more."

She smiles through tears.

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