Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 11

"What are you doing all the way up here?" Alex asks bringing me out of my thoughts.

I stare out of the bell tower window but not really seeing anything. Just letting my gaze drift as my mind wanders.

"Nothing," I reply simply, hoping he won't delve further.

He comes closer until my back is pressed against his chest and then he wraps his arms around my waist.

"Are you ok?"

I instantly close my eyes to fight away the tears I feel coming on from his question alone. I finally manage to nod a response but it is weak and transparent.

"When I woke up and realized you were gone I was so worried. I was scared I would never see you again." He whispers into my ear, his warm breath touching my ear.

I already knew how he felt. I felt it as well, through our bond.

"But then I felt you and I knew you weren't too far. That you were still someone in the castle." He plants a soft kiss on my neck and a tear escapes. Why so many damn tears lately?

I can feel the pain he felt waking up alone and realizing I left without him. I feel it as though I lived it myself. It is sharp and distinct and it forces me to be ashamed that I would ever sneak off without him. I should never have let the thought enter my mind. Me and him. Forever. Just like we always said.

I turn in his arms to face my partner in love and life. His eyes look tired with worry lines framing them. The shock he must have felt still set on his face.

I touch the lines gently, cursing myself for ever causing them.

I want to apologize. To beg for forgiveness but I can't find the words. I can't even open my mouth.

"It's ok. You stayed. You're here with me. Safe and sound." His lips meet mine as soon as his words finish in a sincere kiss. Simple and understated but full of meaning.

What did I ever do to deserve a love like this?

We stay silent in each other's arms for the better part of an hour before Alex finally asks me the question I was dreading.

"What made you stay?"

I look up and into his eyes and see the exact moment he understands. The realization sinking in that Sabina's words were what kept me here.

I had so much to think about after our conversation that I left my bag and just walked. I walked until I didn't recognize the part of the castle I was in. Then I saw stairs leading to this bell tower, so I climbed.

The tower is filled with centuries of dust and cobwebs so I knew I would be able to truly be alone here. So I gazed out of the window and watched as what was left of the day begin to turn into dusk.

"Do you think that Sabina is right? That there is something hidden within me? That I am special in some way?" I ask, breaking the silence once more.

Alex tilts my chin up so that he can see into my eyes and then holds my head there with both hands. His face has taken on a serious look about it but his eyes have never been more loving.

"You are special in so many ways. More special than anyone else in this whole damn world. You are amazing in every single way. You care so much about the people that surround you and would give anything to protect them. You were forced to become the one thing you were born to hate and you took it in stride and ran with it. You won my heart the first time we met and you will own it until our dying breaths. You are not just special. You are so much more. You are more than what Sabina thinks she senses in you because you are unique. You are one in a million and you're mine."