Nev could sense his pain and felt guilty for making him endure it, but she knew he’d been close to realizing it all on his own. At least this way, they both knew what was coming. Then they could face it like they had everything else. Together.
Wyatt pulled her close to him and squeezed her tightly. “I know this all feels inevitable right now. I have felt it too. But that doesn’t mean it is. We will find a way through this, together,” he whispered, kissing her tenderly.
She kissed him for several minutes before pulling back slightly. Gazing into his eyes, she was struck by how they had seemingly grown more stunning over time. Now, she found them completely mesmerizing. Nev gently wiped a tear from his cheek and smiled at him. “It’s okay,” she reassured, trying to comfort him.
“I am not going to break my promise to you,” he declared passionately.
“Wyatt,” Nev started to rebuke him. She had accepted her fate and needed him to begin to do the same.
“No, I won’t do it. Not for you. Not for fate and not for anything else. I will think of something. After all, I am really stubborn,” he countered, sounding certain and flashing a smile at her.
Nev let herself believe him, at least for now. The ending he promised was all she wanted. “Okay, then. No worries,” she agreed, smiling warmly at him.
Chapter 33
Addi had watched them from across the way, while they talked the night before. It was obvious to her that the conversation they’d shared was far more serious than their usual banter. She was feeling terrified about where their relationship would lead her brother. She was also growing more and more concerned about Nev. Addi clung to the hope that somehow, they would all get through this relatively unscathed.
Addi’s thoughts began to spiral down a path she had endeavored to avoid. Where did their journey end? Even if they were able to survive the inevitable confrontations awaiting them, what then? Was Nev planning on taking back the throne? Would she want Wyatt to join her? Or would she just walk away from it and him? Oh, Wyatt. I hope you know what you are doing, she thought.
Either way, she had opted to let them sleep in this morning. The rain, she had hoped would lessen, had instead increased in intensity. Given the weather combined with the issue Wyatt and Nev were trying to come to terms with, Addi had decided to just relent and spend the day hunkered in the barn.
Nev had devoted several long hours during the previous night to tenderly reassuring Wyatt. She was determined to ease the sense of dread that had tried to consume him during their conversation. Wyatt had reassured her so many times in the past, and she was hopeful she could do the same for him. At least for now, they’d both decided to choose hope over despair.
Wyatt’s mind slowly started to rouse. Even so, he felt no sense of urgency to fully wake. He needed, now more than ever, to feel Nev close to him. Pulling her snuggly to him, he let his mind get lost in her breath, scent, and warmth. With sleep-heavy eyes, he spied the ring Nev had given him and spun it slowly around his finger. Close to my heart and far from harm, he thought.
His mind wandered around that thought. The ring and her fate. Suddenly, a fantastic and hope-filled idea sprang into his thoughts. If fate had led her to him and then to the ring, then fate must want him to use it to help keep her safe. Just like her father had used it to help keep her safe all those years ago. Maybe it could all be that simple, just like it had been when they escaped to Birclan. Now, he would only need to figure out how and when he was supposed to use it. With renewed hope and a sense of determination, he would do just that.
Nev’s nightmares had been muted while she slept in Wyatt’s arms. She had only woken once in the night. His embrace and gentle soothing had greeted her before finally persuading her to fall back asleep. Still, she ached and not just in her shoulder and muscles. Her heart ached for what she was pushing him to endure. Stirring slightly as her mind began to wake, she felt the familiar sensation of Wyatt’s presence. Nev breathed in deeply and just let her mind focus on him.
“Good morning, my love,” Wyatt whispered, sensing she was awake.
She buried her face in his chest and sighed with contentment and replied warmly, “I love you.”
Addi saw them begin to stir and shouted over to them, “No hurry to wake up this morning. I think we will be staying here today. I’m pretty tired of walking in the rain.”
Wyatt smiled at Nev. Given their unexpected reprieve from resuming their trek, he decided he was going to let last night’s conversation fade for now. “So, do you have any plans for today?” he questioned sweetly.
Nev gazed up at him. There was so much pressing on her mind, but the only thought she wanted was of him. She cuddled up close to him. “All I want to do is this,” Nev whispered.
“Me too,” he replied, smiling at her. “You know when this is done, I’m going to build you the comfiest bed in
