She grins, a hint of teasing flashing across the tilt of her mouth. “Not particularly. But I could do with a walk.” Surprising me, she threads her fingers through mine, holding tight. I never want her to let go.
“Would you like company?” The words are a whisper on the wind, she hears them anyway.
With her grin growing broader, she tugs me along. “Well, you are meant to be my bodyguard. Just because we’ve got theculprits locked up, doesn’t mean there isn’t more. I think it would be best, if my big bad protector escorted me.”
An unexpected snort breaks free, and I cough to hide it. A sheepish grin flickers to life across my cheeks. “You’re right, I think it would be best.”
Her smile is blinding with the sunlight behind her, illuminating her like the goddess she is. The picture of perfection.
Chapter Forty-Four
CYRUS
We’re mostly silent as we walk. The path she leads me to is one I’ve come to know well.
The pool.
Memories– both good and bad– flicker to life. From our first escape up here to the last, where everything fell apart. It feels fitting to come back here for this conversation. Surrounded by such beauty and calm. A place with significance to where we were before and who we are today.
Even though we’ve been quiet, she hasn’t let go of my hand. It’s made the thin path slightly awkward to navigate, but the sweet anchor is better than letting go to walk easier.
The crystalline pool comes into view. The gentle swoosh of water running in from the small waterfall, instantly calms my nerves. There’s something about this place that is so magical.
Tally turns and looks up at me, and I realise it’s not this place. This place would mean nothing without her.
She’s magical.
“Think now might be a good time to talk?” I finally,finally,ask.
She nods, smile still bright on her face, as she leads us to sit by the edge of the water.
The hand not latched with Tally’s rubs anxiously over my outstretched thigh. A cracked conch shell just off the side of my boot catches my attention. One I handled before. For some reason, it gives me the strength to finally figure out the words I need to say.
Now’s my chance, and I can’t afford to fuck it all up again.
Taking a deep breath, I force the words out on the exhale. “I fucked up. So, so bad. You didn’t deserve to be treated how I treated you. You didn’t deserve to think you were the only one in this, when you weren't. I’m stupid, it took me months to figure out why I was miserable, after we left. I was angry and unfeeling and everything felt wrong, because I’d left you here and I couldn’t figure out what that meant.
“You told me you loved me and I couldn’t figure out how that was possible. Why would someone as amazing as you, want this? I can’t regulate emotions, I hide behind a mask, I panic continuously. That all went away when we left. All I felt was anger, and I know it was anger at myself, because I fucked up.
“I spoke to Mabel before we got here, she helped me see things for how they truly are. I love Amara, I do, but not how I thought I did. She’s my sister till the end and after you, there’s no way I’d ever want to be with her. It’s not romantic love with her. But these feelings of yearning, need and adoration for you? That’s romantic love. I’m so unbelievably sorry for how I treated you. I’m so sorry for not figuring out my shit earlier. I’m sorry for breaking your heart.”
Tears pool in my eyes, as I finally break eye contact with the shell and look at Tally. Tears run down the apples of her cheeks, but the spark in her irises is bright.
Now it’s time to finish my apology. “And I’m sofucking sorry I couldn’t tell you I loved you then, because I do. I am wholeheartedly in love with you Tally.”
The silence thickens as I wait for her to say something. Nerves prickle at my stomach, and god, I think I might be sick if she doesn’t say anything soon.
Maybe I should apologise more?
I open my mouth to do just that when Tally’s blinding smile stretches across her features, crinkling her eyes and flashing her perfectly straight teeth at me.
Then she’s moving, quick as lightning. Straddling my lap with precision and slinging her arms around my neck. All I can see is her radiant face with a beaming smile, everything else around us fades to nothing. I don’t need to see anything but her.
“Then it’s a good job, I’m still wholeheartedly in love with you too.” Her confession is a whisper against my mouth, before her lips descend on me. The kiss is filled with so much passion.
So much love.
Her lips dance with mine, gliding together in perfect symphony.
