Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 23

Sapphire slowly awoke to the gentle warmth enveloping her. She felt a weight beside her, heavy yet comforting. As her eyes fluttered open, the sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. Her heart raced as she realized she was lying next to Elias. Memories of the night before flooded her mind—the terror, the relief, and most importantly, his strong presence that had pulled her from the darkness.

Instead of pushing him away or panicking like the last time, she remained still, absorbing the moment. His chest rose and fell steadily, a peaceful rhythm that contrasted sharply with the chaos of the previous night. Sapphire felt a wave of gratitude wash over her; he had shown up just when she needed him the most.

Curiosity piqued, she traced his features with her finger, lightly brushing over his jawline, the curve of his lips, and the intensity of his lashes. Elias shifted slightly, and she froze, her heart pounding, afraid he might wake. Instead, he instinctively pulled her closer into him, burying his face into her hair. A soft sigh escaped him, and a rush of warmth spread through Sapphire at the tenderness of the gesture.

When Elias opened his eyes, his gaze met hers, and for a moment, the world outside faded away. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice rough from sleep but filled with genuine concern.

Sapphire nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “I am now.”

A long pause hung in the air, a delicate thread connecting them in that fragile moment. The vulnerability of their situation felt almost tangible. Finally, after gathering her thoughts, she managed to say, “Thank you for last night.”

He dismissed her gratitude but the weight of his next words held an undeniable sincerity. “You don't have to thank me. I am sorry for leaving you alone in the first place.”

As she processed his words, her heart ached with the understanding of his guilt. “You didn’t know,” she reassured him, her fingers lightly tracing the lapel of his shirt. “You couldn’t have predicted…”

Elias frowned, interrupting her softly, “Still, I should have been there.” The remorse in his tone struck a chord in Sapphire, a reminder of the fragility of their circumstances.

Sapphire shifted, propping herself up on one elbow to study him. “You saved me. You showed up when it mattered most.” She hoped her gaze conveyed the weight of her appreciation. “You didn’t have to.”

His expression softened, but there was a flicker of something darker behind his eyes—an intensity she recognized all too well. “I would do it again in a heartbeat,” he said, his voice low and resolute.

A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of the man who had tried to hurt her, but more so at the fierce protection that Elias offered. She understood now that he was not just a powerful figure in the underworld, he was a man who would fiercely defend those he cared about.

With a flicker of amusement in his eyes, Elias broke the momentary seriousness. “So, am I allowed to leave now?” he asked, his tone light but edged with sincerity.

Sapphire felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of him leaving. “You can leave if you want,” she replied, trying to sound indifferent.

He tilted his head slightly, his expression softening. “I don't want to,” he said firmly, shifting closer and resting his arm behind her, creating a subtle sense of safety between them.

Sapphire appreciated his presence but felt a flutter of uncertainty in her chest. She didn’t respond, lost in her thoughts as the weight of unspoken words hung in the air.

Elias, sensing the shift, turned serious. “I would rather stay here with you,” he said quietly, and they both settled into a comfortable silence. The warmth of their bodies mingled as they drifted back to sleep, enveloped in the quiet intimacy of the moment, lost in dreams laced with unspoken emotions.