Silver Rain

Chapter 26

Felix woke when the soft afternoon light flooded through the windows, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, before the events of the previous day came rushing back to him. His side ached with a dull, persistent throb, a reminder of the wound Calvin had stitched up. But more than the pain, Felix became acutely aware of the comforting presence beside him.

Olivia lay close, her breathing steady and rhythmic, her face relaxed in sleep. Felix watched her for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips. She looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil they had faced together. 

Careful not to wake her, Felix shifted slightly, testing the limits of his movement. The pain was manageable, though it served as a constant reminder to take it easy. He'd likely be healed by late tonight if he was lucky. He glanced around the room, the afternoon light casting gentle shadows on the walls. It felt like a different world compared to the chaos they had endured.

Felix settled back down on the bed and watched Olivia as she slept. Her damp blonde hair sprawled out on the pillow under her head, and the soft rise and fall of her chest brought Felix a sense of calm he hadn't felt in a long time. He reached out, lightly tracing the outline of her face with his fingers, not wanting to wake her but unable to resist the urge to touch her.

He wanted to count every freckle that created constellations across her nose. Wanted to spend time like this in eternity. No shadow bodies, no witches. No prophecy or risk. 

We should take a vacation after this, Erebus said to him. Far away.

Agreed, Felix decided. And take Olivia with us.

Erebus seemed to purr at the thought. Purr.

Felix rolled his eyes. What a melodramatic drama king.

His eyes trailed to the cut on her temple. The cut itself wasn't nasty, but the skin that bruised and surrounded it worried him. She had been so worried about himself, that she didn't even seem to notice her own injuries. Guilt gnawed at him.

Gently, Felix leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, just beside the cut. Olivia stirred slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips even in sleep. He couldn't help but smile back, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the afternoon sun.

He didn't lie when he told her that it would be hard to let her out of his sight again. He had felt his insides rip apart when he watched her vanish in what the old witch called the Sanctum of Echoes. Felix had threatened each witch in the basement of Jaq and Son with unrestrained fury, vowing to bring down anyone who stood in his way until Olivia was back by his side. That memory still haunted him, the fear and helplessness consuming him in those desperate moments. 

Then they had pushed him through a different portal, much like the one that spat them out on Monroe. However, when his eyes had adjusted to the dim light, he almost sobbed when he saw Olivia sitting at the small table drinking tea. Even if blood was caked against her head and her eyes were worn. He could hear and see her breathing.

And now, she was here. Laying before him.

Felix settled back down beside her, letting his thoughts drift. He wondered what their next steps would be, how they would navigate the challenges ahead. The thought of another confrontation with the witches or the shadow bodies sent his blood roiling, but he knew they had no choice but to face whatever came their way.

For now, though, he allowed himself to simply be in the moment, cherishing the calm and the closeness he shared with Olivia. He closed his eyes, breathing in sync with her, finding a rare peace in the rhythm of their shared breaths.