“You would have died from your injuries if my hound hadn’t responded to my voice and licked your wounds.”
“You let a dog lick me?” It might have sounded like I had a thing against pets, animals, or such. But it wasn’t the dog, per se, but the gods who owned it. They’d continued to curse us by not assisting with the continued prayers, pleas, and even sacrifices by more than just a few.
“His saliva helped to seal your wounds, and he carried you back here to Rust’s apartment.” She shook her head as if not knowing. Her pink cap flopped to the side.
“Where’s Rust?” I asked again, and again she ignored me.
I’d spent the past three days holed up in Rust’s apartment. The mana made it as if my recovery was almost instantaneous. And since then, I’d spent my days here drowning my troubles, questions, and mistrust away with my new friends named Jack, Jim, and Hennessey. The streets were too hot for me, and I still wasn’t sure how Rust had made it out of that fiasco alive, with the mana, and uninjured.
The alcohol helped to keep the nightmares away.
Living in a warzone, it was how I coped.
Forever had a meaning, and with our fingers interlaced, our moans of pleasure resounded. Life in these four walls was perfect. Muted sunlight filtered into his luxurious bedroom. Lying on his bed, on the double-stuffed mattress, my gaze took in the man who made me stutter.
Rust affectionately traced his fingers along my inner thigh, and I giggled, my breath hitching, my pulse raced in anticipation waiting for him to take me to wonderland. My body tingled wherever he kissed and teased, and I was hyperaware of his nearness and my wanting him to come ever closer.
The soft music played, the singer crooned, “Where were you when the end began?”
And I tensed, and not from the pleasure I was receiving from my boyfriend. Today marked the first anniversary since they’d invaded.
“You okay, babe?” Rust leaned forward and kissed me again. My hands trailed along his broad shoulders and tasted his delicious mouth that promised me decadence, and so far, he’d delivered.
He’d helped me to survive this.
In his strong arms was my home, and I was safe.
Rust and I made it through the end of the world and still thrived. The ground had quaked, and the elves invaded with weapons. Mass murder, fire rained down from the sky until humankind bowed its knee.
We’d lived through Hell, and the reigning regime brought with it a titanium fist.
But now, I tried to wear blinders.
Love was sacred, after all.
Fears were part of PTSD, and there were no promises of tomorrow.
He’d always been handsome, and under his scrutiny, it was as if I were bewitched and wanton, having his love all to myself. It was easy to get lost in those evergreen-colored eyes.
Kismet had brought us here, and despite the world going to the shitter, I’d found happiness.
I smiled, enjoying his attention and adoration.
Love swelled, my toes curled, and waves of my pent-up desire’s release lapped over me.
Bringing his head up from the apex of my thighs, he rose to nuzzle my neck.
Kissing me again deeply, passionate enough to resurrect the dead. It said forever-love without words. Every second of life had been wasted until this new beginning.
Emotions hung between us.
This was not how sex usually went.
“Kristen,” Rust panted, “I need another favor.”
“Favor?” I asked, pulling away.
“Yes, I was out drinking last night when the Fire Chief said he could get me into the morgue tonight, so I need you to make the run for me instead.”
At the fire station, as a firefighter, he had options for sure, and a future.
I’d made runs for him before, but that was the exception to the rule. But I trusted him and trusted the good he wanted to do.
One year since the apocalypse, so what could be wrong with another short run to Shanty Town for him? I adored him, and he loved me.
He didn’t mind the baggage, and when I’d been searching for hope, he’d reached out his hand and saved me from drowning in despair.
But the fear in his eyes. Was it for me, for us, for them?
“You don’t need to worry. Just like last time. You’ll drop it off at the shop.”
The last time had been about delivering medicine to help those who couldn’t afford it.
A gale wind off of the River whipped around the high-rise, howling outside. As one of the B-Tier, Rust lived on the ninth floor. He wasn’t high enough to touch the sky, but he had enough clout and points to get away with most things, unlike me.
I hesitated, and he moved over to the drawer of the matching onyx side table.
“I was going to save this until later, but this I want you to have.” Rust turned, and in his hands, he held an ‘Amber’s Jewels and Gems’ ring box.
“Amber’s Gems?” I grinned broadly. The local retailer was the place my dad had bought every ring I’d ever owned, until the rebellion, until he’d died. I pushed back those tears. This was supposed to be a happy time.
“Well, I wanted this to be as perfect as it could be. That store means everything to you.”
I nodded. “And what is this supposed to be?”
“My promise to you. I mean, we’re young now, but I want forever with you. Truth be told, I don’t know how that looks or even what the future holds, but I want you in it.”
If things had continued as we’d planned, we’d have graduated from college this year, and a world of opportunities would have been ours.
“I love you, and don’t you ever worry about that,” I said, and he slid the ring onto my fourth finger. I watched it sparkle, to then seep into my skin.
“I’ve placed a cloaking spell on it so you can always carry me with
