Luna. Chapter 111

(Kael's POV)

The third time, we moved together slowly. Tenderly.

Like we had all the time in the world.

Because we did.

"I thought I'd lost you," I whispered against her lips. "When you sent me away, I thought that was it."

"You never lost me," she replied softly. "I just lost myself for a while."

Her hands cupped my face. Her eyes were so green. So full of love.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "For all the time we wasted."

"We're here now. That's all that matters."

I kissed her deeply. Slowly. Pouring everything I felt into that connection.

When I moved inside her this time, it was worship. Reverence.

She was everything. My mate. My love. My future.

"I dreamed about this," I confessed. "Every night for four years."

"What did you dream?"

"This. You in my arms. Your skin against mine. The way you feel when you're close."

She smiled. That brilliant smile that had captured my heart from the very beginning.

"Was reality better than your dreams?"

"Reality is perfect."

And it was. This moment. This connection. This love.

Perfect.

I moved deeper. Felt her body respond to mine like we were two parts of one whole.

"Kael," she sighed.

"I'm here, love. I'm right here."

"Don't leave me again."

"Never. I promise you, Lyra. Never again."

The intensity built slowly this time. Like a fire that started as embers and gradually consumed everything.

When release finally claimed us both, it was earth-shattering. Soul-deep.

I collapsed beside her, pulling her against my chest.

We were both breathing hard. Both trembling.

"Wow," she whispered finally.

"Yeah. Wow."

I stroked her hair. Her breathing gradually slowed against my chest.

"Kael?"

"Mmm?"

"I love you too. I should have said it before."

My chest tightened with emotion. "I know. I've always known."

"How?"

"Because I love you enough to know when it's returned."

She lifted her head to look at me. Her eyes were soft. Satisfied.

Beautiful.

"We're really doing this, aren't we? We're really trying again."

"We're not trying anything," I said firmly. "We're together. For good this time."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

She settled back against my chest with a contented sigh.

"Good," she murmured. "Because I'm not letting you go again either."

I smiled against her hair.

We'd found our way back to each other.

Finally.