He chuckled “We have all day.” Ivan quickened his pace as he pounded into me, the sounds of his smooth hips slapping against my ass mixing with the gentle chirps of the birds made an odd sort of music.
He groaned as I felt him explode once more. In no time, I followed, drenching his fingers. But he didn’t stop, pounding into me again with his seemingly everlasting hardness until we both came again. And again.
The day was a lust-induced haze of sex, food, and short naps. We had sex throughout the woods and back in our temporary home and in the shower. It was beautiful, it was exhausting, it was everything.
And then, when I woke up the next morning, I found myself alone in the bed.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Something was wrong. I looked to the bathroom, but the door was open. Had Ivan gone out? He usually left a note when he went for a walk or to the main house. I looked across the room to the dining table where I saw a small stack of white envelopes.
Where are you?I asked telepathically.
No response.
I huffed. Was he playing a trick on me? I threw the covers off and stomped toward the table. The envelopes were all addressed to me in Ivan’s familiar handwriting. When had he done this without me noticing?
I picked up the top envelope and opened it, pulling out what appeared to be a folded note. It was a letter from Ivan. Without even reading one word, my heart sank.
My Love,
I am sorry to have to do this through a letter, but we both know that a discussion would be futile. We are both stubborn people, and sometimes you can be scary! All jokes aside, I know a day will come when things get so challenging with my memory loss that I would end up hurting you. I don’t want that.
I want you to remember me loving you, adoring you, pleasing you. That’s the image I want to leave in your mind. Please don’t look for me. I have asked a witch to mute our bond so that you can’t connect to me. It’s healthier for us both this way. I will fight to find a cure for as long as I can.
Please don’t be angry with me. This was not an easy decision for me. I would fight both realms to protect our love. Never doubt that. I know how hypocritical I must seem for leaving to protect our love just like you did those years ago, but I can find no other way.
All I can do is be forever grateful that we found our way back to each other, even for this short time. These moments, even with our fights, were moments I’ll cherish. I made sure that was the case because I’ve started keeping a journal of memories of us from when we first met through our last moments together. Right now, as I write this, I am watching you sleep like a creepy stalker. You’re absolutely beautiful. Even with your building-shaking snoring.
I rolled my eyes, momentarily ignoring the heavy ache in my chest. “I do not snore.”
You do snore. Facts are facts. But I still love the sound of your blow horn, Sunshine. And while I am writing down all our memories so that I will never be apart from what made me fall madly in love with you, I have written you letters so you never forget how much I cherish you. No matter what happens to my mind, our love was real. That can never be erased by magic.
So please read each letter. There are quite a few because, what else was there to do here? Don’t read them all at once.
I knew he was capturing memories of some sort when he wrote but nothing like this. I looked down at the pile of letters. “I am definitely going to read them all now,” I said before reading again.
I’m serious. Space them out a least a day. However, it’ll be more rewarding to take your time. I’m actually not a bad writer, and my penmanship is pretty good. Also, after a suitable amount of time has passed and we still have no cure, then it’s alright if you move on with some less attractive, less intelligent fae or whoever you choose. But there’s only one dragon for you.
“Not that I could ever move on, but what’s a suitable amount of time?” I asked out loud.
I know you think you could never move on, but after a decade, you really should.
I looked around the room. Was he really gone? Was this letter magic? I was supposed to be sad, but I was also a little baffled.
Alright, this letter has gone on long enough. The other ones may or may not be as long. It’s a surprise. Remember me fondly. I choose to believe this is just a goodbye for now. I choose to believe that we will defeat our enemies. I choose to believe our love is our greatest power. I choose to believe in us. I ask you to keep doing the same.
Yours Forever
Ivan
P.S. Seriously, don’t read the other letters today.
P.P.S. I stole your white blouse because it smelled strongest of you. I also have pictures of you that Daniel showed me how to print, and I left you some of me in the letter pile. I didn’t realize I was so handsome.
P.P.P.S. Okay, I did realize I was that handsome. I just didn’t want your last memory of me to be that I was vain.
I folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope. Then I collapsed on the floor and sobbed.
Chapter Twenty
