Page 114 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“I want to live. I think I always did, otherwise I wouldn’t still be here.”

“Even if it hurts?”

“Even if it hurts,” he confirms.

Drinking in the reassurance, I steal the unfettered light inside of him and take it for my own with each brush of our lips. Micah gives it willingly; his strength, his determination, and every ounce of love he has to offer.

He’s far stronger than everyone gives him credit for. The world gave up on him, but Micah kept going. No matter what. He survived the unthinkable. Maybe, I can as well.

“I want to live too. You guys make me want to keep going.”

“Then I’ll kiss you every day to remind you of that.”

“I think… I’d like that.”

Micah kisses me again, harder this time, imbued with never-ending ribbons of pain and blossoming wildflowers of hope. It all folds into a pure, untainted moment as we exchange souls.

Maybe, I’m allowed to mourn. It’s okay to embrace the pain that brings, as long as I remember to come back to life when the time for grieving is done. I have to live.

For Arianna.

For myself.

For the baby I lost.

For the person I want to be.

CHAPTER 22

WILLOW

TAKE ON THE WORLD - YOU ME AT SIX

“You trust me?” Killian rumbles.

“I’m not entirely sure.”

He keeps me pinned against his side so that I don’t trip over while I’m blindfolded. I’m not a huge fan of surprises, and I have no idea what he’s planning. I haven’t left the cabin in a while, so Killian seems determined to get me out.

My foot hits what feels like a rock, and I almost stumble. He catches me mid-fall and instead of guiding me by hand, I’m lifted into his burly arms instead.

“Kill!”

“I’ve got you, baby.”

The note of satisfied possession in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. If I thought he was protective before the miscarriage, the past two weeks have revealed his certified obsession with keeping me safely cocooned within his reach.

“Why do I need to be blindfolded?”

“I told you. It’s a surprise.”

“You know, I hate surprises.”

“You’re not gonna hate this one,” he says knowingly.

The scent of pine trees and spring blossoms perfuses the warm air around us. I’ve stayed cooped up in their cabin while recuperating, but it feels good to be outside. The transfusion took its toll, worsened by the trauma of everything that’s happened.

For the first few days, I was too exhausted and broken to even move. The guys looked after Arianna, doting on me and bringing the medication I was sent home with. It was nice at first, but I’m ready to be a bit more independent now.

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