“I did.” He waited for her answer.
“I was at Cadia last week. I went back to my old home and…I had some time to process my feelings. While I was there, I realized a few things. First, I want to apologize for pushing you away. It’s just that…I was afraid. My feelings for you overwhelmed me. You see, I started liking you way before you ever confessed your feelings. I was scared you didn’t feel the same way, so I held back. But I want to stop pretending now.” She took a forceful step in his direction, watching his eyes light up with hope. The morning sun colored his translucent irises. “I love you, Felix. I want to be your friend, your lover, your companion, and whatever else you want me to be. I didn’t mean the things I said. I don’t want to say goodbye. I never want to say goodbye. Instead, I want to hold you closer, and when I’m afraid, I will hold on tighter.”
His fingers were inches from her. In an impulsive move, she took his hand, lifting it up to her cheek and leaning into his touch. He inhaled sharply, affected by his proximity to her. “So, I was wondering if you’d be willing to take me back.”
His hands trembled on her cheek. She could see his jaw quiver, his eyes turning misty. Felix’s hand shot out to grab her. He closed the distance between them and kissed her. The minute their lips met, she saw stars. The longings of her heart burst forth, finding their release in his kiss. Her arms went around him, holding him close. Felix hugged her back, a little too hard, like he never wanted to let her go. She kissed him with all her heart, so glad to be reunited with him. In his arms, she felt safe and treasured. Like she had finally come home.
When they broke the kiss, his warm gaze was on her.
“I was afraid you’d never come back,” he said, his voice low and croaky. “It has been an agonizing week. Every day, I blamed myself for not telling you that I loved you before, and not doing enough to keep you. So, I’ll take you back happily. Please, don’t run away from me again. I don’t think I can withstand it.”
“I won’t.” They were still holding each other, attracting curious gazes from passers-by. “I love you, Felix.”
“I love you too,” he said, squeezing her hand tighter. When he looked into her eyes, she felt loved. Special. Precious. Like they were two halves of a soul. “I’m so glad I found the courage to write that first letter to you three years ago. Who knew it would lead me to you?”
“Life works in mysterious ways,” she said.
She let him go, and took his hand, walking with him to the Sapphire Serpents office.
“Weren’t you supposed to come back to work today?” he asked.
“I think I’ll take another day off and get some rest. Are you free this evening?”
“I will be,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to pretend to work when all I can’t think about is you.”
Amara turned to him, gazing into his clear, sincere eyes as she said,
“Well, we have a long, long time together, and I plan on enjoying every moment of it.”
Epilogue
Eight months later—
Max’s wedding took place on a warm summer day in Inferno City. Amara sat cross-legged in the front row in a pastel pink dress she’d bought for the event. Petronilla sat to her side, with Felix standing next to the groom, as the vows were said, and goblets of blood exchanged.
“I didn’t expect the wedding to be so grand,” Michael said, seated behind her.
The King of Inferno and the Queen of Escayton were in attendance, making it the most talked-about wedding of the year. Amara and Felix were there too, her comforting him while he unsuccessfully tried to hold back the tears. Her hand threaded in Felix’s, she gently held him as he watched his son get married.
After they’d announced their relationship publicly, she’d transferred to another department of the Sapphire Serpents so that she wouldn’t directly be working under him. She had also moved into Felix’s house. They walked to work together every day. Amara enjoyed this new routine.
“Calm down, this isn’t a funeral.” She handed Felix a handkerchief she’d judiciously carried. The hall was filled with flowers and lights, focusing on the couple standing on a raised stage.
“I can’t believe he’s getting married. I’m so happy.” Felix dabbed his eyes, trying harder to smile.
After she and Felix had gotten back together, Max’s behavior toward her had improved considerably. Not that she saw him much. He’d returned to Aquarine with Rina soon after and stayed there until the wedding.
Amara was doing much better these days. Though she remembered her mother sometimes, she didn’t feel so sad anymore. She had also started venturing out into society. Amara had joined a group of women who liked to read erotic books just like her. It took up her Sundays, but she had to find something to replace writing letters to Mr. Garett. Felix bought her more banned books, though, and they enjoyed reading them together. Enacting the scenes after they finished reading was her favorite part.
“You may now exchange your goblets.” The officiator announced.
Several members from the Sapphire Serpents were also present, watching the couple happily, but mostly waiting for the wedding feast to begin. Amara had dreaded announcing her relationship publicly, but it had gone down a lot better than she expected. Apparently, a few of them had seen her and Felix together, and suspected something was afoot. By the time they announced the happy news, most of their colleagues were already speculating about the wedding date. That’s what happened when you worked with spies.
Max and Rina exchanged blood and then made their vows. Rina looked beautiful in a silky gown made of black lace and gauze. Amara felt her throat tighten with emotion when they gazed into each other’s eyes lovingly.
“The marriage ceremony is over. You are now married.” The officiator raised his book, pronouncing them man and wife. Max bent forward and kissed Rina. A round of hoots, cheers, and applause broke.
Felix’s hand tightened on hers, and she realized that there was someone who loved her just as deeply. When she gazed into his eyes, she felt calm, loved, grounded, and understood. A once-in-a-lifetime love.
“I love you.” She said to him.She’d never get tired of saying that out loud.
“I love you too,” he said.
Then, they were kissing.His lips found hers and she lost herself in him.
And Amara was happy, at last.
