Page 106 of Whispers of Helena
She steps toward me. “I’m here, it’s me, Silas.” The tears escape her eyes, falling. “I’m back. They let me come back.”
I reach out hesitantly, and place my fingers along her jaw. Once she’s in my hand, it sets in. She’s here; she isn’t some ghost conjured in my dreams or my troubled mind. She came back for me. Her hand comes to my wrist as she leans into my touch.
“I was so scared…I can’t do this without you, Caroline.” My words tremble with the emotion I’m trying to hold back.
“I know. I knew I needed to come back. I’m not leaving here again without you, Silas. I promise you.”
I close the distance between us. “Thank you, God.”
Repent
Helena
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
I griphis wrist as he cups my cheek, lost in the contact. His eyes are a clear blue—no storm, no pain, no fear. Just love.
I am his, and he is mine. Forever.
No matter how shattered, how sinful this man may have been, he holds my heart in chains, refusing to set it free. My love for him is an unbroken thread that weaves through the fabric of time, stretching endlessly across all of eternity.
He smiles, reminding me of the day I met him, when our eyes met for the first time. I think we both knew right then we had found our other half. That we had found home.
His smile is everything to me. I would cross hell or high water to bring it to his lips. I would willingly give up the halls of heaven to walk this mortal world with him. Again and again, in anylifetime, I know we will find each other if we need to. But for now, we’re together, not to be torn apart.
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into an embrace. I sink into him, breathing him in. “I love you so much. Thank you for returning to me.” I look up and see his eyes are glassy, his smile wide, and I think I could live forever in the strength of his arms.
“I’ll never leave your side again. I promise.”
“Even if you did, I’d wait for you. I’ll wander this world for a millenia waiting for you. You’re my everything, Caroline. You’re my sun, my reason, my ruler.”
His words cover me like a balm. I may never understand the true depths of the concept of eternity, but if I ever do, it won’t be long enough with this soul.
“Say it, Silas.” My heart swells in anticipation of the words I have heard a thousand times.
He softly kisses me, then I feel his breath against my lips.
“You and me, forever.”
Home
Silas
Tears slip down her cheeks,and I hold her tighter, as if I can anchor us both in this moment, as if I can keep time from moving forward.
Finally, she presses her palms against my chest, her touch calming me. When she lifts her gaze to mine, her brown eyes shimmer.
“Silas, before we go back to the house, can I show you Kiran’s stone?”
A heaviness settles in my chest. “Caroline, today is a good day. I don’t want to go back to that place.”
Her expression softens, and she shakes her head gently. “There’s one last thing, Silas. It’s not bad, it’s actually really good. I just need you to know everything. No more secrets between us.”
A slow, creeping worry snakes through me. “Caroline…”
“Just one more ride, Silas. Please?”
