Fighting for the Lost (Sebastian's Daughter Book 4) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 46

Finny just stood in the doorway for a long time, staring at me.

I smiled at him. "Hi, Finny."

It was then that I saw the tears start to leak from his eyes, and he immediately ran to my side, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. All I could do was hug him back just as tightly, hoping he could feel my strength had returned, and he was no longer at risk of losing me.

And he most certainly did, because I felt his arms tighten around me in return. Had I been human, or still as sick as everyone claimed I'd been, he probably would have broken me.

"I'm right here, Finny. I'm so sorry I worried you."

"No, don't be," he said, clearly trying not to cry. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm just so happy you're alive."

I closed my eyes and buried my head in his shoulder. "Me, too."

*

Third Person POV:

Alex watched as his sister held tightly to Finny, genuinely happy for them. It had been a while since he'd seen real happiness from her. He hoped it'd be a long time before he saw anything else.

Maria placed a hand on his shoulder, then gave one last smile, before she turned and left the room.

Samantha approached him next. "She's alright now, Alex. You really should get some rest."

He hesitated. He was most definitely fatigued, but he wasn't sure he was going to be able to bring himself to leave Selena, even just for a couple of hours. It was as if he was still trying to convince himself she was real. That he hadn't just dozed off and was dreaming. That his sister was really sitting up in front of him, healthier than he'd ever seen her.

A gentle hand on his arm tore his attention away. He glanced over to see Samantha, her eyes pleading. "Please, Alex."

After a long moment, he nodded. Samantha let out a sigh of relief, then quickly escorted him out of the room.

As he followed the demoness, his thoughts were still on his sister. This was all real. Selena had defeated the evil that had been hunting her for so long, and she was now going to have someone there to call on if she ever needed her medicine again.

Alex felt like he was in a dream. Everything had taken so long to achieve, and now that it was here, it felt like no time had passed at all. He felt as if just yesterday he had felt the weak presence of someone familiar, someone whose energy felt incredibly similar to his own. It felt like he had only just met the frail girl with shattered wings, that they had just been sharing stories and encouraging her by the campfire, that he'd decided he'd give his life for this girl. Now, he knew they were siblings, and that the feelings he'd felt hadn't been some random thing. He'd felt their connection long before he'd known who she was. And now, he knew he'd never have to worry about losing it.

"Alex?" Samantha's voice cut through his thoughts, and it was then he noticed they'd stopped walking and the demon had turned to face him.

He smiled at her. "Sorry. Just lost in thought."

"I can tell. Is there anything I can do?"

His smile softened. "You've done more than enough already. Thank you."

*

Selena's POV:

"Selena, you really shouldn't be out of bed yet-"

"And why not?" I asked as I turned back to face Finny. "I know I scared all of you, but I'm fine now. I don't want to lay in bed anymore. I'm growing restless."

"Yes, but you've only just woken up. What if something triggers your illness again because you didn't rest long enough?"

Finny was now staring at the floor, fists clenched at his sides. I relaxed myself at his distress and carefully approached him, taking his hands in mine.

"Finny," I whispered, "I know what you're feeling. I'm scared, too."

He looked up at me, tears swimming in his eyes. "Then why are you pushing yourself already?"

I forced a smile. "Because I can't let that fear run the rest of my life. Yes, that sickness will return. All Maria's medicine did was suppress it. But I can't just stay in bed waiting for that day to come. Not when I should be doing everything I can to be happy with you."

He smiled as the tears finally fell from his eyes, and he reached out and wrapped his arms around me. My own arms snaked around his neck and held him close. His body shook as he held back sobs, and his warmth was reassuring in a way. He was here. I was here. I was not going to scare him like that again.

It was these thoughts that brought my own tears to my eyes. I hugged him tighter, not bothering to hide the fact that I was crying.

Finny was the first to pull away. "Hey, you remember our promise, right?"

I kept my hands on his shoulders as I looked at him, thinking back to before I'd been trapped in my own mind. "In the garden..."

He nodded, wiping my tears away. "While I'm still here, let's live in the moment. We'll enjoy what time we have."

I felt more tears run down my face as I forced a smile and nodded.

He smiled back, but his was genuine. "And that means no more crying over the inevitable."

My smile lifted, and I took a deep breath, composing myself. "I love you, Finny."

He pulled me close again and kissed me.

"And I love you, Selena."