Forbidden Flame

Chapter 11: the night we fell

Nora's body ached as she limped through the familiar streets of Beacon Hills. The aftermath of the last mission weighed heavily on her—physically and emotionally. She had barely made it out unscathed, her injuries still healing, and now she was being pulled in two different directions by the two men who had come to mean so much to her. The tension between Isaac and Theo was at an all-time high, and she knew it was only a matter of time before everything came to a head.

The night was still, the air thick with the promise of rain, as Nora made her way to the old, abandoned church that had become her sanctuary. Each step sent a dull throb of pain through her leg, reminding her of the close call during the last mission. She had been reckless, too caught up in the chaos of the fight, and it had almost cost her everything. But Theo had been there, pulling her out of harm's way just in time.

She could still remember the way his arms had felt around her, the intensity of his gaze as he checked her over, making sure she was okay. It was a moment that had stuck with her, replaying over and over in her mind, and she knew it was what had brought her here tonight.

When she reached the church, Theo was already there, his tall figure silhouetted against the flickering candlelight. He turned as she entered, his eyes immediately honing in on her injuries. Concern flashed across his face, quickly replaced by the familiar intensity that always seemed to radiate from him.

"Nora," Theo's voice was low, almost reverent, as he closed the distance between them. "You're hurt."

"I'll be fine," Nora replied, her voice stronger than she felt. "I just need some time to heal."

Theo's gaze softened as he reached out, his fingers gently brushing against her arm, avoiding the bruises that marred her skin. "You shouldn't be out here, not in your condition."

Nora shook her head, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and longing. "I needed to see you, Theo. We need to talk."

His expression darkened slightly, his hand dropping to his side. "Talk? Is that really why you're here?"

Nora's breath hitched at the unspoken challenge in his words. The air between them crackled with tension, the pull between them growing stronger with every passing second. She had always been drawn to Theo's intensity, the way he seemed to understand her in ways no one else did. But tonight, with her body still aching from the battle and her emotions in turmoil, that pull was almost too much to resist.

"Theo," she began, her voice trembling, "I can't keep doing this. I can't keep going back and forth between you and Isaac. It's tearing me apart."

Theo's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with something dark and dangerous. "And what about me, Nora? What about what I want?"

Nora felt a surge of guilt, knowing that she had been the cause of so much pain for both of them. But she couldn't deny the truth any longer. "I care about you, Theo. I care about Isaac too. But I don't know how to choose between you."

Theo's gaze softened as he stepped closer, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. "You don't have to choose, Nora. Not right now. Let's just...be here, together."

His touch sent a shiver down her spine, the warmth of his hand a stark contrast to the cold knot of fear that had settled in her stomach. She wanted to believe him, wanted to lose herself in the comfort of his presence, but she knew that this moment wouldn't last forever. Sooner or later, she would have to make a choice.

But tonight, she didn't want to think about that. Tonight, she wanted to forget about the pain, the fear, and the guilt, and just be with him.

Nora leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed as she felt the tension in her body begin to melt away. Theo's hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer until their lips met in a kiss that was both tender and desperate. It was a kiss filled with all the longing and frustration that had been building between them for weeks, a release of emotions that had been pent up for far too long.