“But—”
I shake my head. “I promise I will not let harm come to you. I will protect you just like I did when Hedran came for you.”
Her breath hitches. “Do you...” Her eyes sweep over me, and she draws in a deep breath. “Do regret that? Killing him?”
“Hedran?”
She nods.
“Not for a fucking second.” I squeeze her fingers. “I don’t care if we’re on the run for the rest of our lives”—and honestly, that’s a distinct possibility; a Hunter with a broken oath and an escaped Given with a glowing Mark on her forehead aren’t inconspicuous—“if you forgive me, I will be able to endure whatever comes our way.”
I would know true happiness.
For years, I believed my happiness hinged on becoming a Master Hunter. After all, my profession got me out from under my father’s thumb and provided me with an escape. It brought me Mist, and for that, I will be forever grateful.
But the truth of the matter, the one that has become crystal clear to me since the battle, was that I’d never experienced true joy before meeting Wren. I’d been taking life one day at a time, just trying to survive. Even when I’d been with Theon and Maia, I hadn’t really been living. I’d been passing time, letting my work consume me.
Hunting used to be the first thought on my mind after I woke and the last before I fell asleep. Now, all my thoughts revolvearound Wren. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re doing, because she is my focus.
For the first time in my life, when I smile, I can feel it in the depths of my heart. Wren has taught me there’s more to life than hunting and escaping my father. She has taught me what it feels like to trulylive.
Wren is the other half of my soul, a piece I never knew was missing.
Lifting her hand, I press a kiss to her soft skin. “What do you say, Birdie? Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Time slows to a crawl as my eyes sweep over hers, memorizing the way she looks right now. I will not push her, desperate though I may be. If she wants to leave me on my knees all night, I will not move a muscle. If she asks me to prostrate myself on the ground in front of her and beg for hours, I will do exactly that.
It seems I will do anything for this beautiful gods-blessed.
Her pulse flutters beneath my touch, reminding me of delicate wings. “You were hunting me, Gabriel,” she whispers.
My heart twists. “I know.”
Her head tilts, and she studies me. “But you also saved me.”
“I did.” My voice is little more than a breath.
“You helped me and gave me money to leave.” All true, but they don’t negate my initial actions. Still, my head dips.
Her fingers tremble, and then she’s tugging me to my feet. I rise, my eyes never leaving hers.
Wren lets out a breathy laugh and shakes her head. “It’s hard to believe I’m saying this, but of course I forgive you.”
36
I NEED TO TASTE YOU
WREN
Iforgive you.
Tension crackles between Gabriel and me, my words swirling around us. The fire that was ignited in the study is still present, simmering in the background.
I am aware of every inch separating us, every rise and fall of his muscular chest, every minuscule facial movement. His eyes, shades of a forest at dusk, hold mine.
Maybe I caught him off guard. I’m not entirely surprised—his question did the same for me. Only, when I started thinking about what he was asking, I realized I’d forgiven the Hunter weeks ago. I just hadn’t been ready to admit it.
I feel lighter now, as if a weight I hadn’t known I’d been carrying has been lifted off my shoulders. I can breathe more easily. Suns, if I’d known forgiving Gabriel would feel this good, I probably would’ve done it earlier.
