Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 28: Released

Ryder jolted upright, heart pounding. Darkness enveloped her.

Her shoulders sagged. It was just another nightmare. Donnovan’s comforting embrace pulled her back down beside him. She’d fled to him so many times over the last few weeks with nightmares. It made her feel bad for depriving him of the little sleep he did get.

“It’s not real.” He murmured, voice encumbered by sleep. “You’re all right, and I’m right here.”

She curled into him, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

The only way she ever got any sleep anymore was to curl up with Donnovan. For some reason, when he was holding her and his soft breathing told her he was still safe, she stayed grounded in reality. Even when she did have a nightmare, she was able to come back from it and go back to sleep quickly after.

Her thoughts whirled as she lay in the dark, listening to his deep breathing as he fell back asleep. Something in her heart had been slowly healing over the last few weeks since she’d begged Donnovan to wait for her. It was clear to her now.

Kane had died, but he had done it to redeem her because he loved her. By regretting his sacrifice and hating herself for it, she was mocking his sacrifice. If he was here now, he would be scolding her for not living her life. Even if he had loved her romantically and was a bit jealous of Donnovan, Kane would’ve told her to go for what she knew was right for her. He would have said that she needed to marry Donnovan because Donnovan was the best one for her.

Tears prickled her eyes. She was beating herself up for the past and for something that she didn’t deserve to feel guilty for. It was because of Alyx that it had happened, and whatever parts she had done on her own had been unwilling. Yes, she still deserved blame for it, but others had forgiven her. It was time to forgive herself.

“D-donnovan?” She stammered.

His breathing halted, and he tightened his hold on her. “What? What’s wrong?” He sat up, hugging her against him.

“I’m so sorry…” She started crying into his chest.

He rubbed her back. “What are you apologizing for?” He whispered. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Yes, I did… I’ve made you go through fire and frost for me, and now I’ve made you endure my pain while denying you the one thing that could make us both happy…” She threw her arms around his neck. “I’ve been selfish in my desire to figure everything out after all of the things that happened.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Ry… But you’re forgiven anyway. Forget about it now, and move on…” Donnovan leaned back and wiped away her tears. “I love you no matter what, okay?”

She sniffled and nodded. “Okay… And Donnovan?”

“Hmm?”

“Yes…” She whispered, smiling in the dim light that was coming from the corridor outside the door.

“Yes what?”

“I’ll marry you.” Ryder hugged him again, burying her face in his shoulder.

He started laughing softly. “You decided to tell me in the middle of the night?”

“Better now than never.” She retorted, her words muffled by his shirt.

“You don’t know how happy your answer makes me.” Donnovan kissed the side of her head with a grin.

“Yeah, well…” She blushed. “Go back to sleep. You need it, and we’ve got a wedding to plan, anyway…”

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