Ammil [Completed]

Ch. 9: Timely Confession

(Eira's POV)
Slowly, I opened my eyes to hear the soft sound of the birds chirping near the window. The sun hung low in the winter day behind the dark curtains of my windows. Everything was dark in the bedroom except for the low flicker of the fireplace but somehow the new day made me smile. I felt more at peace than I had been in a really long time.

Even through that peace, my heart may still ache for the lost of my father but I know he is still beside me. In my memories and in my heart as well. Knowing all of this, I still feel that peace.

After meeting the sides of myself, ones I have been unaware of for quite some time, I have come to understand myself better. It is hard to describe it.

I just feel complete.

Quietly, I looked over to my side to see Taehyung fast asleep. His long dark brown hair tousled in a soft heap on his head and over his eyes. The way his long lashes moved in rhythm to his breathing and his soft lips shut together as if he is in deep thought. I moved in closer to let my fingertips roam through his soft hair, the gesture stirred him to wrap himself around me and to pull me closer.

"That feels nice," as he mumbled in his sleep, burying his head further into my neck. I couldn't help but chuckle quietly as I feel him fall back asleep. This quiet moment between us felt right and I couldn't help but think over about us.

If I hadn't met him all those years ago, I would of been alone, miserable. This peace I feel, I would never experience it.

He has shown me so many things about myself I never knew existed.

I am strong enough to protect my house....

Show empathy with others and compassion....

That it's okay to show weakness and ask for help.....

I have learned so much from him in these past several months than I have ever learned in so many centuries. Even when fear and uncertainty crippled me, he held my hand through it all, wiped the tears away, as well as held my fragile heart with care.

I don't know how I deserved someone like him after everything.

Gently, I moved Taehyung's head to move in closer to his chest as I laid my head against it to listen to his heartbeat. Lately, I have been doing this because it reminds me he is here with me and not a memory. There were plenty of times when I was alone that I would of dreamt of Alden's heartbeat. The both of us in this room, asleep in each other's arms but I would wake up to not see him there. Only holding a pillow in my arms.

I felt myself linger back to my thoughts about him and then remembered in that moment what my father said before the procedure.

I don't know how much damage the procedure would do to your bond with Alden. At least with Taehyung here, I can repair what damage your mother's presence has done.

I started to focus on the bond Alden and I shared. Even though the charm has affected his side of the bond, I can still feel it. It is usually a faint dull ache every time I focus on it. With Taehyung's added, it still make its presence known when my emotions run high for him. I continued to focus, searching with all my heart however, I felt nothing.

Our bond.....did it get severed?

Immediately, I removed myself from Taehyung and sat up, clutching my chest where my heart was as I focused. I felt my eyes glowed as I search through the bonds, the contracts I have with all of my servants. Every single one of the servants that are currently alive in this house are still there but Alden's wasn't there. It was gone.

"How?" as I whispered, surprised that I have come to realize our connection was completely gone.

"My trouvaille? What's wrong?" as Taehyung spoke up in a groggy voice. He sat up half asleep as he wrapped his arms around me, providing comfort.

"It's my bond with Alden," as I whispered, not sure how to feel with the situation. "I can't feel it anymore."

My statement seemed to have woken him up as he lets go and sat up straight, his eyes focused on me. He gently caresses my back as he spoke.

"I see.....how does that make you feel?"

"I don't know," as I furrowed my eyebrows together. "It feels strange because his bond was always there with me for such a long time. I mean he was such an important person to me, always been. Even if we didn't have that bond, he was. He brought me my first friend in his sister Avyanna and he was the first man that I fell in love with. Now without it, I still care for him but not as deeply before. It feels strange."

"I understand what you mean," as he responded and I looked him with surprise.

"You do?"

"Alden was such a huge part of your life, Eira," as he gently spoke, a soft smile entered his face. "No matter what happened between you two, he is still important to you. He was the man you gave your heart to first. The one you allowed yourself to be vulnerable with. There were so many things he did that allowed you to experience for the first time, it's understandable to feel strange. The bond kept your strongest feelings with him to keep you two connected. Now that you don't have it, it shows that your heart is truly starting to move on from him. It showcases your truest feelings."

I couldn't help but be in awe with him as he continued to talk, providing comfort in this moment of uncertainty for me. The peace started to settle in my chest as I felt this overwhelming comfort from Taehyung. It was then in this moment, I realized why my feelings for Alden had changed from one of longing but one to just a platonic care.

It's because this man found his way to take his place. Slowly, putting the pieces of my fragile heart that I tried to hide away from him. He took so much care for me, no matter how many times I pushed him away.

I was scared to go through it again....the way things happened with Alden and me.

But now, I finally realized that I have fallen in love with Taehyung as much as he has fallen in love with me.

I can finally tell him those words I hoped to say to him without feeling the guilt of moving on from Alden.

"So, what I am saying it is okay to feel strange about it," as he continue to talk. "At least you know."

"I love you, Taehyung," as I blurted it out loud as I smiled. He stopped for a moment and looked at me with big brown eyes. His stare made my cheeks burn up in embarrassment as I immediately turned away.

God, cannot believe I just said it without even thinking.

"What did you say, Eira?" as he finally spoke. I still couldn't face him as I tried to keep my eyes focused on the other side of the room.

"You heard me, Taehyung," as I whispered, feeling the tips of my ears turning pink.

"I know but I want to hear it again," as he whispered, carefully turning me around. His dark brown eyes looked at me with such an eager expression mixed with disbelief as he sat there waiting for me. I finally looked at him and wrapped my arms around his neck as I laid my head on his shoulder.

"I love you Taehyung," as I whispered loud enough only he can hear. The world didn't need to know how much my heart has felt at peace with him.

Only he needs to know.

"I love you too, Eira," as he whispered and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to straddle on his lap. Gently, he pulls me away to look at me, signs of adoration were on his face as he gently caresses my check. I couldn't help but bask in this moment, his presence.

Thank you for being patient with me. Thank you for loving someone like me.

It's been a long time since I felt this and I don't want to let this go.

I can finally say I love you.