Page 21 of Ruling in Flames (Reborn 5)
“Sweetheart.”Henry’s voice ran against my ears like a soothing waterfall, my skin prickling in awareness of how close he was to me. He could always be closer, though—I wanted Henry to constantly be touching me in any way possible.
My body felt heavy and completely relaxed, like I’d slept for the first time without worry or tension running through me in what felt like forever. It was like my bones themselves knew I could let go, because while not all our problems were solved, a massive aspect had been handled.
Ry was gone and no longer a threat to my family—because of me. I’d saved my family.
There was a surge of pride that accompanied that. I’d spent so much of my life feeling helpless, like I was the one who needed saving or protecting. That action had empowered me, made me feel bold and capable.
I didn’t feel guilty over Ry’s death—I felt like a fearless warrior.
My body didn’t feel the same though. After that push of power, it had completely given out, exhausted from dying, being reborn, and then using a surge of magic that we’d never attempted before. I had to wonder how long I’d been asleep. Something tugged at my memory, like a faint dream, that told me it had been a few days, but I was finding it hard to focus on how I knew that. Honestly, I found it hard to focus on anything other than Henry’s wonderful minty scent that was filling the room.
A pleased sound left my throat, thrilled to be so close to him again, especially after I had…you know, died. I didn’t open my eyes though, resisting the urge to see him, because I didn’t want this peaceful moment to be shattered. I just wanted to bask in the warmth of being near him. I had missed him so incredibly much, and when his lips brushed over my forehead, I couldn’t help but shiver in pleasure.
When he pulled back from the tender touch, I finally opened my eyes, meeting his steely gray gaze. A gaze that was filled with so much intensity, love, and relief it was overwhelming.
At that moment it became obvious to me that Henry had been destroyed by the concept of me being dead. I could feel the emotional remnants of the situation wrapping around me violently, and even though I was alive and in bed with him, I could see he was nearly shaking with tension.
“I’m here. I’m okay.”
I could tell he needed to hear that because I wasn’t positive thathewas okay.
In fact, I had a feeling he was the exact opposite of okay. His blonde hair was messier than I’d ever seen it, and his glasses were bent on one side of the frame like he had left them on while sleeping. There were dark circles under his eyes, and the clothes he was wearing, while clean, were wrinkled and pulling slightly because of the bandage he had wrapped tightly around his right arm.Injured. Henry had gotten injured, and not just physically, because everything about the normally neat and put-together man was disorderly. I didn’t mind in the least; I only wished it was for the right reason—that he was relaxed—rather than the despair I could see tinting his lens on life.
“Okay?” he choked out, his eyebrows pinching together as if he couldn’t believe what I was saying. “I thought you were fucking dead, Maya. Youwerefucking dead! You’re not okay—all of this is so fucking far from okay.”
I inhaled sharply.Okay, he was very worked up.I don’t think I’d ever heard him swear that much when we weren’t…well, doing a lot more fun stuff than this.
“I did die,” I confirmed. His eyes darkened, his pulse jumping and his breathing growing rougher at my words. “The three of us did, but we were reborn. We’re okay. I’m way more worried about you right now.”
Henry caught my jaw and interrupted me in a harsh whisper. “I love you, sweetheart. I love you so much, but if you ever leave me again, I’ll level this realm. Understand?”
Oh sweet lord.
I couldn’t help but smile at his sweet yet violent words. “I love you more, Henry.”
He exhaled roughly. “Impossible.”
Before I could counter his claim, the door opened, and my head snapped to the side—Oh, thank the Maker.
“Ledger,” I whispered.
“Fuck, you’re up.” Ledger’s normal relaxed tone was strangled as I was suddenly pulled from Henry’s grasp and pressed against whatever soft surface I was currently on. I couldn’t help but smile becauseholy crap, Ledger was okay. I’d been so worried about all of my mates, but I was especially worried about Ledger, having lost both his mate and twin at the same moment. His deep indigo eyes were bloodshot, and I could almost see his dragon howling inside of them, trying to force him to shift. Something that wasn’t possible right now, despite my phoenix being in complete agreement.
Instead I strung my fingers through his dark, curly orange-tipped hair and pressed my forehead against his, trying to wrap soothing energy around him. Distantly I heard Henry get up, but I stayed focused on Ledger as I reacquainted myself with his warm bonfire scent. Being in his arms was like coming home, and tears welled in my eyes as I tightened my hold on his muscular shoulders.
After a long moment, he spoke, tension and stress underlying his words. “Firefly, I thought…I thought I lost you and my brother. I thought that was it, that I wouldn’t ever see… Fuck.”
His emotions were suffocating him, and I nodded in understanding, my hands running over his neck and jaw in what I hoped was a soothing manner. My fingers easily followed the patterns of his tattoos, having memorized them in the time we’d been together. I knew each of my mates so well, but being back in his arms reminded me how much I still had to learn about them…
We had eternity; I just had to remind myself of that.
My touch seemed to relax him a tiny amount, so instead of saying anything or trying to move, I just kept him close as I let out what I hoped was a soft, comforting hum.
“Where’s Anani?” I asked after a minute or so.
“Sleeping,” he breathed out. “He was exhausted.”
When he pulled back slightly and gently lifted my hand between us, we both looked over the sigil ring on my right index finger. “I didn’t think I would ever see this.”
